ATC Callsign change - now 'velocity'

[Boris spatsky]

Sorry if this is slightly OT.

I noticed that Virgin aircraft as of this week are now using 'Velocity' as their ATC callsign, not 'Virgin'. Anyone know why?

Is this a JB tactic? Was it required by Air Services? Or did Sir Richard wade in again?

Calling markis - he should know!

 

[markis10]

Came into effect Oct 29 and is designed to have all the units operating under the one callsign, with Velocity being different to anything else.

 

[oz_mark]

Sorry if this is slightly OT.

I noticed that Virgin aircraft as of this week are now using 'Velocity' as their ATC callsign, not 'Virgin'. Anyone know why?

Is this a JB tactic? Was it required by Air Services? Or did Sir Richard wade in again?

Calling markis - he should know!

Part of the unification of the airlines. All the airlines in the group now use the same callsign (and using Virgin internationally could have been confusing!)

 

[Boris spatsky]

Thanks.........

 

[Mattg]

I was listening to live ATC on Monday and noticed this too. The ATC'er kept having to correct himself/be corrected. I guess that this means Skywest and Virgin now have the same call sign.

 

[N860CR]

The Skywest ATR's always used the "Virgin" callsign, however added "Alpha" to the end of it (ie: Virgin 718 Alpha). Originally it was Sierra for Skywest but they changed it (I assume because an S can look like a 5).

Previously Virgin used a few callsigns:

Virgin Blue/Aus - Virgin
Pacific Blue - Bluebird
V Australia - Vee Ozz (they've had a few during their time. Funnily enough, one of them was Velocity)
Virgin Charters - Bluey

This now means that they all use "Velocity". As mentioned earlier, they couldn't use "Virgin" as Virgin Atlantic already have it (even though, at the moment, the overlap would be pretty slim - I don't believe Virgin have a flight 200/201 as per VS in SYD, however LAX could be a problem).

It's always hard in the beginning, but people get used to it (like when "Sunstate" and "Eastern" changed to "Q-Link")

 

[iRobbo]

I thought the ATR's were an 'Alpha' to assist with situational awareness, much like the 'Delta' for the Q400's.
A big issue with the Velocity callsign is that they left the designator (VOZ) the same, it's hard to break a habit. Of course these decisions are made by people who never have to use it...

 

[JohnPhelan]

What callsign does Virgin America use?

 

[Saab34]

What callsign does Virgin America use?

Redwood.

"California Redwood" has been the official California state tree since 1937, if you are wondering where they got that one from.