Favourite callsigns....?

[Aviador]

Inspired by a post in the BHX forum, what are your favourite callsigns. This could be one that's been used in the past, or of the present time.

Kestrel of the former Airtours International back in the 90's is one of my favourites on the airwaves.

#avgeek #callsigns

 

[Ray Finkle]

As soon as I read the thread title Kestrel came straight to mind, still used today by Thomas Cook.

Lots seem to be simply the name of the airline, although there are some slightly imaginative ones such as Sky Flyer (Hi Fly) or Speed Bird (BA). I believe that the BA JFK flights out of London City use the call sign Gherkin, I assume named after the building.

 

[jfy1999]

I like Brussels Airlines' call sign "Beeline". For some reason it makes me think of the small regional airliners they use into BHX. Hard to imagine an A330 using it.

 

[Aviador]

Kestrel has a long history I guess. Firstly with Airtours International which I think became just Airtours in the end. Shortly afterwards I think it became My Travel. Can anybody confirm this family tree because it's quite complex!

 

[Aviador]

I like Brussels Airlines' call sign "Beeline". For some reason it makes me think of the small regional airliners they use into BHX. Hard to imagine an A330 using it.

I used to like the old Sabena when it was around, which was of course just Sabena. Here at Leeds the "Midland 420" sticks in my mind like it was yesterday, the last British Midland shuttle of the day from Heathrow. Ah memories!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

What was Top Jet? Air 2000?

I've not really thought too much about airline call signs but I always thought that Speedbird had and has a certain elegance.

I was reading again about the 1996 ValuJet crash in the USA and remembered that the airline's call sign was 'Critter'.

 

[Aviador]

I think the Air 2000 callsign was Jetset but I'm not sure.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I think the Air 2000 callsign was Jetset but I'm not sure.

You're right. It was Jetset. So what was Top Jet (Topjet) or have I imagined this?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

You're right. It was Jetset. So what was Top Jet (Topjet) or have I imagined this?

I've done a bit of digging. It seems that Topjet was a former call sign of Thomas Cook. Kestrel also appeared in my 'digging' as a MyTravel call sign.

 

[David_itl]

Throwing myself back to 1986 and we have "Flamingo". Callisgn of NFD of Germany. Operated Hannover-MAN in the using Metroliners. Is it very said that that I still remember the flightnumber... NS314/NS315

 

[wolfheze]

I like Brussels Airlines' call sign "Beeline". For some reason it makes me think of the small regional airliners they use into BHX. Hard to imagine an A330 using it.

Seem to remember beeline used for BEA and later for British Airways regional flights?

 

[wolfheze]

Used to hear Ascot being used a lot on the radio when listening to Birmingham radar. Looking at the logs Birmingham did seem to handle quite a lot of RAF traffic back then.

 

[Brummiegem]

Ascot is still used by the RAF,and Kestrel still used by Thomas Cook.
Of the current crop of call signs being used,Blue Messenger stands out as used by Blue Air.
If memory serves,Kestrel has been used by Airtours International and My Travel as well as JMC and now TCX.
Although not a favourite airline of mine,British Airways' Speedbird call sign has to be one of the most recognisable on the radio.
Whenever Concorde visited BHX,anyone with a radio would suddenly gain lots of friends asking has it called up yet.Then when the transmission broke the silence'Birmingham approach this is Speedbird Concorde 'xxxx' with you.....'a loud cheer would go up.AHHH happy memories!!!!!

 

[User001]

I do like the call sign 'broadsword' used by some RAF flights.