Unusual airline call signs

[no1pilot2000]

Why do some airlines have these unusual call signs?

British Airways - Speedbird
AirTran Airways - Citrus
US Airways (Mainline) - Cactus
US Airways Express (Republic Airlines) - Brickyard

 

[king10pin02]

Why do some airlines have these unusual call signs?

British Airways - Speedbird
AirTran Airways - Citrus
US Airways (Mainline) - Cactus
US Airways Express (Republic Airlines) - Brickyard

Airtran HQ is Orlando, FL...oranges=citrus
Usairways mainline was purchased by AmericaWest=cactus
Republic is based in IND, where the brickyard race track is located

 

[Mud Eagle]

"Speedbird" has to do with one of BA's predecessor airlines (BOAC) that had a bird as their logo.

 

[jonjuan]

Why do some airlines have these unusual call signs?

British Airways - Speedbird
AirTran Airways - Citrus
US Airways (Mainline) - Cactus
US Airways Express (Republic Airlines) - Brickyard

Expressjet-Jetlink

 

[BAe3100FO]

The one I like best is 'springbuck'??? something like that...Can't remember which carrier that is.

How could you guys leave out VA = 'redwood'?

(And yes, I get that they are based near Redwood City, CA)

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

springbok is south african... I think it's a native bird down there.

I never quite figured out why Pinnacle's was flagship... I think one of their previous owners was involved with american.

 

[HAZ-MAT]

(And yes, I get that they are based near Redwood City, CA)

No, its because when you have sex with a Virgin, you get Redwood.

 

[flyboycmsu]

If I remember back to my IAD days correctly "Springbach" was South African Airways

 

[need2fly]

I always liked "critter"

 

[BAe3100FO]

If I remember back to my IAD days correctly "Springbach" was South African Airways

Still a cool call sign...

If only a WI based company would change their call sign to 'chedder' or 'cheese curd'... something along those lines.

 

[Lampshade]

It's Springbock and it's a type of antelope.

 

[dollacrackho]

No, its because when you have sex with a Virgin, you get Redwood.

Thats just in poor taste. Hilarious though.

 

[ERfly]

Air South - Khaki Blue
Original AirTran (737s based out of MCO) - Manatee

 

[crj567]

"Blojob"

-Oh wait-that is really not an airline callsign, that is just Gen Lee's vanity plate.

 

[Whataburger]

Southwest sounds cool!

 

[N1atEcon]

"Water Ski" is by far the dumbest.

 

[2 Live]

I like "Hop-a-jet". For the longest time I thought they were saying "Whopper jet" - I thought it was Burger King's corporate planes.

 

[Guppiedriver]

Southwest sounds cool!

Pronounced "Sow-west"

 

[Whataburger]

Pronounced "Sow-west"

my bad.

 

[N1atEcon]

"Air spur" sounds like air sperm.