Most airlines employ a distinctive and internationally recognised call sign that is normally spoken during airband radio transmissions as a prefix to the flight number. The flight number is normally that published in their public timetable and appearing on the arrivals and departure screens in the airport terminals served by that particular flight. In cases of emergency, the airline name and flight number, rather than the individual aircraft's registration, are normally mentioned by the main news media.
Some call-signs are less obviously associated with a particular airline than others. This might be for historic reasons, or possibly to avoid confusion with a call sign used by an established airline. Some of these less obvious examples are listed below. Not all of these operators of aircraft are civilian and some only operate ad-hoc chartered flights rather than scheduled flights; some operate both types of flights. Some cargo airlines specialise in freight transport, an emphasis that may be reflected in the company's name.
| Aircraft Operator | Call Sign | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Dantex | Aalborg Airtaxi | Denmark |
| Aces | ACES - Aerolineas Centrales De Colombia | Colombia |
| Action Air | Action Airlines | USA |
| Aer Lingus | Shamrock | Eire |
| Aeris | Francecharter | France |
| Aero Aviation Centre | Sunrise | Canada |
| Aero Services | Bird Express | France |
| Aerolineas Argentinas | Argentina | Argentina |
| Aeromar Airlines | Trans Aeromar | Mexico |
| Aeropostale | Aeroposta | France |
| African International Airways | Flycargo | Swaziland |
| African Safari Airways | Zebra | Kenya |
| Air 2000 | Jetset | UK |
| Air Alsie | Mermaid | Denmark |
| Air BC | Aircoach | Canada |
| Air Caledonie | Aircal | New Caledonia |
| Air Caledonie International | Aircalin | New Caledonia |
| Air Care | Drake | UK |
| Air Cargo America | Pegasus | USA |
| Air Cargo Carriers | Night Cargo | USA |
| Air Cat | Eurocat | Switzerland |
| Air Center West | Birdie | Denmark |
| Air Chaparral | Maverick | USA |
| Air Charter Services | Zaire Charter | Democratic Republic Of Congo |
| Air Continental | Night Air | USA |
| Air Europa Express | Air Regional | Spain |
| Air Foyle | Broadspeed | UK |
| Air Foyle | Cutlass | UK |
| Air Foyle | Foyle | UK |
| Air Foyle | Kris | UK |
| Air Foyle/Sunjet | Skyman | UK |
| Air Holland | Orange | Netherlands |
| Air Jamaica | Juliet Mike | Jamaica |
| Air Liberia | November Lima | Liberia |
| Air Madagascar | Madair | Malagasy Republic |
| Air Mauritius | Mike Romeo | Mauritania |
| Air Medical | Airmed | UK |
| Air Mongol / Miat | Mongol Air | Mongolia |
| Air Nelson | Mot Air | New Zealand |
| Air Newark | Newair | USA |
| Air New Zealand | New Zealand | New Zealand |
| Air Niagra Express | Databird | Canada |
| Air Nippon Kasushika Gaisha | Ank Air | Japan |
| Air Outre Mer/Minerve | Frenchlines | France |
| Air Panama Internacional | Arpa | Panama |
| Air Portugal | Tap | Portugal |
| Air Schefferville | Scheff | Canada |
| Air Senegal | Sonatra Air Senegal | Senegal |
| Air Shot | Byte | UK |
| Air South Airways | Shawnee | USA |
| Air Tchad | Hotel Tango | Tchad |
| Air Traffic Gmbh | Snoopy | Germany |
| Air Vanuatu | Air Van | Vanuatu |
| Air VIA | Varna Air | Bulgaria |
| Air Wales | Red Dragon | UK |
| Air World | Envoy | UK |
| Airborne Express/ABX Air | Abex | USA |
| AirTran Airways | Citrus | USA |
| Airways International | Airnat | USA |
| AJ Air Services | Ajay | UK |
| AJT Air International | Turjet | Russia |
| AMC Air Charter | Bavaria | Germany |
| America West Airlines | Cactus | USA |
| American Airlines (turboprops) | Eagle Flight | USA |
| American Trans Air | Amtram | USA |
| Arrow Air | Big A | USA |
| Atlantic Airways | Faroeline | Norway/Faroe Islands |
| Atlantic Coast Airlines | Blue Ridge | USA |
| Atlantic Island Air | Triangle | Iceland |
| Atlantic Southeast Airlines | Candler | USA |
| Atlas Air | Giant | USA |
| Aurigny Air Services | Ayline | UK |
| Austrian Airlines | Austrian | Austria |
| Aviaexpress | Avex | Hungary |
| Aviair | Caribou | Canada |
| Avial | Rushair | Russia |
| BAC Express Airlines | Rapex | UK |
| Bali Air | Biar | Indonesia |
| Bangladesh Biman Airlines | Bangladesh | Bangladesh |
| Baron Aviation Services | Show Me | USA |
| Benair | Scoop | Denmark/Norway |
| Bmi | Baby or Midland | UK |
| Bo-S-Aire Airlines | Bowman Air | USA |
| Bond Air Services | Ugabond | UK |
| Braathens Helikopter | Bee Copter | Norway |
| Brasil Central Lineas Aereos Regional | Central | Brazil |
| Britannia Airways GmbH | Windsor | Germany |
| Britannia Airways Sweden | Bluescan | Sweden |
| British Aerospace - Filton | Sapphire | UK |
| British Aerospace - Warton | Tarnish | UK |
| British Airways | Speedbird or Shuttle | UK |
| British European | Jersey | UK |
| British International Helicopters | Lion | UK |
| British Mediterranean Airways | Bee Med | UK |
| British Regional Airlines | British | UK |
| British West Indian Airways | West Indian | Trinidad And Tobago |
| Britten Norman | Vectis | UK |
| Buffalo Airways | Buffalo Air | USA |
| Business Air | Granite | UK |
| Business Aviation Services | Coastrider | The Netherlands |
| Business Express | Biz Ex | USA |
| Cameroon Airlines | Cam-Air | Cameroon |
| Canadian Forces | Canforce | Canada |
| Cape Air | Cair | USA |
| Capital Air Service | Capair | USA |
| Capital Aviation | Prestige | UK |
| Caribbean Airways | Caribjet | Barbados |
| Centennial Airlines | Wyo Air | USA |
| Centre Airlines | Dutch Valley | USA |
| Centreline Air | Clifton | UK |
| Channel Express | Channex | UK |
| Chicago Express Airlines | Windy City | USA |
| China Airlines | Dynasty | Taiwan (ROC) |
| China United Airlines | Lianhang | China (PRC) |
| City Air(Chester) | Air Chester | UK |
| Cityjet | City Ireland | Eire |
| Civil Aviation Authority | Minair | UK |
| Cologne Commercial Flight | Tomcat | Germany |
| Continental Express | Jetlink | USA |
| Continental Micronesia | Air Mike | Guam, USA |
| Cooper Aerial Survey | Surveyor | UK |
| Corporate Air | Air Spur | USA |
| Corse Mediterreanee | Corsemed | France |
| Coval Air | Odyssey | Canada |
| Dairo Air Services - Das Air Cargo | Dairair | Uganda |
| Danish Air Transport | Dantrans | Denmark |
| Deutsche BA | Speedway | Germany |
| Dragonair | Loongair | China (PRC) |
| Dravidian Aviation | Firestone | UK |
| Druk Air | Bhutan | Bhutan |
| Duo Airways | Flyduo | UK |
| Dynamic Air | Dynamite | The Netherlands |
| Eagle Air Service | Swiss Eagle | Switzerland |
| Eagle Aviation | Gypsy | Not Known |
| East-West European | Silver Wing | Bulgaria |
| Eastern Air Executive | Eastex | UK |
| Eastern Airways | Eastflight | UK |
| Eastern Flying Service | Speedair | Canada |
| easyJet Switzerland | Topswiss | Switzerland |
| Edinburgh Air Charter | Saltire | UK |
| EFS Flug Service Gmbh | Flightservice | Germany |
| Euro Exec Express | Echo Express | Sweden |
| Euro Flight Sweden | Eurowest | Sweden |
| Euroair Transport | Alexandra | Not Known |
| Eurobelgian Airlines | Belstar | Belgium |
| European Air Taxi | Neat | UK |
| European Air Transport / Dhl | Eurotrans | Belgium |
| European Aviation Air Charter | Eurocharter | UK |
| Euroscot Express | Scotair | UK |
| Executive Aviation Services Ltd | Jester | UK |
| Executive Jet Aviation | Execjet | Switzerland |
| Express Airlines | Flagship | USA |
| Express One International | Longhorn | USA |
| Express One International | Spartus | USA |
| Farner Air Transport | Blue Strip | Hungary |
| Fast Air Carrier/Tnt | Faster | Chile |
| Faucett Peru | Charlie Foxtrot | Peru |
| Federal Express | FedEx | US |
| Finnaviation | Bluebird | Finland |
| Finnish Air Force | Finforce | Finland |
| Flight Precision | Cobham | UK |
| Flugdienst Fehlhaber | Witchcraft | Germany |
| Flugfelag Austurlands | Austurflug | Iceland |
| Flugfelag Nordurlands | Norland | Iceland |
| FR Aviation | Broadway | UK |
| FR Aviation | Rushton | UK |
| French Air Force | Foxtrot Mike | France |
| French Air Force - Transport Sq. | Cotam | France |
| Frontier Airlines | Frontier Flight | USA |
| Garuda Indonesia Airways | Indonesia | Indonesia |
| GB Airways | Geebee | UK |
| German Air Rescue | Ambulance | Germany |
| Germania | Joker | Germany |
| Gojet Aviation | Gojet | UK |
| GP Express Airlines | Regional Express | USA |
| Great Lakes Aviation | Lakes Air | USA |
| Great Wall Airlines | Changahang | China (PRC) |
| Greenlandair | Glace | Denmark |
| GT Aviation | Geetee Avia | UK |
| Gulfstream International Airlines | Gulf Flight | USA |
| Hapag Lloyd Express | Excellence | Germany |
| Heliair | Heli-Bulgaria | Bulgaria |
| Helikopter Service | Helibus | Norway |
| Helikopterservice Euro Air | Swedcopter | Sweden |
| Hokkaido International Airlines | Air Do | Japan |
| Hummingbird Island Airways | Hum | Maldives |
| IMP Aviation Service | Bluenose | Canada |
| Indian Airlines | Indair | India |
| Indonesia Air Transport | Intra | Indonesia |
| Industrie Air Charter | Induschart | France |
| Inter-Island Air | Ugly Van | USA |
| Irish Air Transport | Irish Trans | Eire |
| Island Air | Alakai | USA |
| Isles Of Scilly Skybus | Scillonia | UK |
| Jamahiriya Libyan Arab Airlines | Libair | Libya |
| Japan Air Commuter | Commuter | Japan |
| Japan Airlines | Japanair | Japan |
| Japan Asia Airways | Asia | Japan |
| Jetair Flight Academy | Speedfox | Denmark |
| KD Air Corporation | Kay Dee | Canada |
| Kitty Hawk International | Arthur | USA |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | KLM | Netherlands |
| Knight Air | Knightway | UK |
| Kuwait Airways | Kuwaiti | Kuwait |
| Labrador Airways | Lab Air | Canada |
| Langtry Flying Group | Proflight | UK |
| Lansa - Lineas Aereas Nacionales | Uniform Lima | Honduras |
| Lapa - Lineas Aereas Privadas Argentinas | Lapa | Argentina |
| Leeds Central Helicopters | Pathfinder | UK |
| Legend Airlines | Legendary | USA |
| Liberia World Airlines | Hotel Yankee | Liberia |
| Libyan Arab Air Cargo | Libac | Libya |
| Lineas Aereas Canarias | LCN | Spain |
| Lineas Aereas Suramericanas | Suramericano | Colombia |
| Linjeflyg | Swedline | Sweden |
| Lionair | Lair | Luxembourg |
| London Executive Aviation | Lonnex | UK |
| Lte Lufttransport Espana | Funjet | Spain |
| Lufttransport Unternehmen | LTU | Germany |
| Luxaviation | Red Lion | Luxembourg |
| Macedonian Airlines | Macair | Greece |
| Macedonian Airlines | Makavio | Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia |
| Maersk Air -> Duo Airways | Bluestar | UK |
| Magadan Airlines | Mavial | Russia |
| Majestic Airlines | Magic Air | USA |
| Manx Airlines | British | UK |
| Markair | Interalas | USA |
| Martinair | Martinair | Netherlands |
| May Air Xpress | Beechnut | USA |
| McAlpine Helicopters | Macline | UK |
| Meridiana | Merair | Italy |
| Merlin Express | Package Air | USA |
| Mesa Airlines | Air Shuttle | USA |
| Miami Air International | Biscayne | USA |
| Middle East Airlines | Cedarjet | Lebanon |
| Midway Airlines | Jet Express | USA |
| Midwest Airlines | Skyship | USA |
| Million Air | Mill Air | USA |
| MNG Cargo Airlines | Black Sea | Turkey |
| MSR Flug Charter | Skyrider | Germany |
| MTM Aviation | Aviatrans | Germany |
| Myanmar Airways | Unionair | Myanmar |
| My Travel | Kestrel | UK |
| My Travel Lite | Mylite | UK |
| Nantucket Airlines | Ack Air | USA |
| National Airlines | Red Rock | Not known |
| National Airlines | Natchair | South Africa |
| Nawa Air Transport | Supernawa | Hungary |
| New York Helicopter | Metrocopter | USA |
| Newair Airservice | Newdan | Denmark |
| Newfoundland And Labrador Air Transport | Nalair | Canada |
| Nigel Mansell | Flight Red | UK |
| Norsk Air | Norseman | Norway |
| North British Airlines | Teesair | UK |
| North Coast Aviation | Air Ohio | USA |
| Northamptonshire School Of Flying | Norton | UK |
| Northern Air Cargo | Yukon | USA |
| Northern Air Service | Nortax | USA |
| Northern Executive Aviation | Neatax | UK |
| Novair / Nova Airlines | Navigator | Sweden |
| Nurnbergen Flug | Flamingo | Germany |
| Nwt Air/Air C'Da Connector | Territorial | Canada |
| Oman Air | Oryx | United Arab Emirates |
| Ostfriesische Lufttransport | Ostfries | Germany |
| Pan American World Airways | Clipper | USA |
| Panorama Air Tours | Lani | USA |
| Pegasus Airlines | Sunturk | Turkey |
| PLM Dollar Group | Osprey | UK |
| Polo Aviation | Chukka | UK |
| Polynesian Airways | Polyair | USA |
| Prince Edward Air | Comet | Canada |
| Pro Air | Prohawk | USA |
| Propheter Aviation | Air Prop | USA |
| Provincial Airlines | Starlite | Canada |
| Qinetiq, Boscombe Down | Gauntlet | UK |
| Quick Air | Dagobert | Germany |
| Ravenair | Raven | UK |
| Raytheon Corporate Jets | Manta | UK |
| Rex Aviation | Tranzair | New Zealand |
| Romavia | Aeromavia | Romania |
| Ross Aviation | Energy | USA |
| Royal Air Force | Rafair | UK |
| Royal Air Force - 33 Group | Vortex | UK |
| Royal Air Force Air Support Command | Ascot | UK |
| Royal Air Maroc | Maroc Air | Morocco |
| Royal Airlines | Roy | Canada |
| Royal Australian Air Force | Aussie | Australia |
| Royal Flight | Kitty/Kittyhawk | UK |
| Royal Flight Helicopters (UK) | Rainbow or Sparrowhawk | UK |
| Royal Navy | Navy | UK |
| Royal New Zealand Air Force | Kiwi | New Zealand |
| Royal Swedish Air Force | Swedic | Sweden |
| Saber Cargo Airlines | Freighter | USA |
| Safair | Cargo | South Africa |
| Sata International | Air Acores | Portugal |
| SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System | Scandinavian | Denmark, Norway, Sweden |
| Scot Airways | Suckling | UK |
| Servair | Swissbird | Switzerland |
| Sichuan Airlines | Chuabhang | China (PRC) |
| Sierra National Airlines | Selair | Sierra Leone |
| Skyfreighters | Skybus | USA |
| Skyservice | Skytour | Canada |
| Skyways Regional Ex-Airborne Of Sweden | Midwing | Sweden |
| Skywings | Skyfox | Switzerland |
| SMAC - Sabang Merauke Air Charter | Samer | Indonesia |
| SMB Stage Line | Stage | USA |
| SN Brussels Airlines | S-Tail | Belgium |
| South African Airways | Springbok | South Africa |
| South East Police Aviation Unit | Police | UK |
| South West Air | Saint Clair | Canada |
| Southwest Air Lines | Nansei | Japan |
| Spanair | Sunwing | Spain |
| Spanish Air Force | Air Mil | Spain |
| Spirit Airlines | Spirit Wings | USA |
| Sports Air Travel | West Coast | USA |
| Springdale Air Service | Spring Air | USA |
| Star Air | White Star | Denmark |
| Star Europe Airlines | Starway | France |
| Stratford Airways | Festival City | Canada |
| Suburban Air Freight | Sub Air | USA |
| Sun Country Airlines | Sunshine | USA |
| Sun-Air | Sunscan | Denmark |
| Sunaire | Sunbird | USA |
| Sunways Intersun Havacilik | Intersun | Turkey |
| Sunwest Airlines | Sunflight | Canada |
| Superior Aviation | Spend Air | USA |
| Surrey And Kent Flying Club | Surrey | UK |
| Swedewings | Wings | Sweden |
| Swiftair | Swift | Spain |
| Swiss Air Ambulance | Swiss Ambulance | Switzerland |
| Systems International Airways | Florida | USA |
| TACV-Transportes Aereos De Cabo Verde | Transverde | Cape Verde |
| Teddy Air | Teddys | Norway |
| THY - Turkish Airlines | Turkish | Turkey |
| Thomas Cook Airlines | Globe | Belgium and UK |
| Thyssen Krupp Ag | Blueline | Germany |
| Titan Airways | Zap | UK |
| TNT International Av'n | Nitro | UK |
| TNT Airways | Quality | Belgium |
| Tower Air | Tee Air | USA |
| Trans Air Link | Sky Truck | USA |
| Trans Continental Airlines | Transcon | USA |
| Trans European Airlines | Eurolines | Greece |
| Trans Mediterranean Airways | Tango Lima | Lebanon |
| Trans States Airlines | Water Ski | USA |
| Trans World Express | Redbird | USA |
| Transaero Airlines | Tango Oscar | Russia |
| Transavia | Transavia | Netherlands |
| Transporte E Trabalho Aero | Transaero | Mozambique |
| Transportes Aereos Neuquen | Taneu | Argentina |
| Tropic Air | Tropiser | Antigua |
| Tulip Air Charter | Farnair Europe | The Netherlands |
| Tunis Air | Tunair | Tunisia |
| UK Royal Flight | Kitty or Kittyhawk | UK |
| United Air Services | Unitair | Zimbabwe |
| United Parcel Service | UPS | USA |
| Universal Airlines | Airgo | USA |
| US Airways | US Air or US Air Shuttle | USA |
| US Check Airlines | Star Check | USA |
| USA Jet Airways | Jet USA | USA |
| Uzbekistan Airways | Uzbek | Uzbekistan |
| ValuJet Now known as AirTran | Critter Named for the artwork on the vertical stabilizer | USA |
| Vanguard Airlines | Vanguard Air | USA |
| Viking Express | Titan Air | USA |
| Virgin Atlantic Airways | Virair | USA |
| Virgin Express France | Ladybird | France |
| Virgin Express Ireland | Green Isle | Eire |
| Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle | Waterbird | USA |
| VLM | Rubens | Belgium |
| Volga-Dnepr | Volga | Russia |
| Waglisla Air | Sea Hawk | Canada |
| Warbelows Air Ventures | Ventaire | USA |
| Warwickshire Aerocentre | Airtax | UK |
| West Air Sweden | Air Sweden | Sweden |
| West Coast Air | Gambia Coastal | The Gambia |
| Western Pacific Air Service | Westpac | Solomon Islands |
| Williams Racing | Grandprix | UK |
| Woodgate Air Services | Woodair | UK |
| Worldways Canada | Canada | Canada |
| Young Flying Service | Young Air | USA |
Clearly companies' names will change over time, normally due to bankruptcies or mergers occurring. Country names can also change over time and new call signs may be agreed in substitution for traditional ones. Please make the alterations required if you are certain of their authenticity. The country shown alongside an airline's call sign is that wherein most of its aircraft are believed to be registered, which may not always be the same as the country in which the firm is officially incorporated or registered. There are many other airlines in business whose radio call signs are more obviously derived from the trading name.
See also aircraft spotting and air traffic control.
