Aircraft registration numbers are assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which requires that all aircraft flying internationally display unique assigned registration markings. ICAO Annex 7 contains standards adopted by ICAO as the minimum requirements for the display of marks to indicate appropriate nationality and registration, which have been determined to comply with Article 20 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Sometimes these aircraft registrations are referred to as "tail numbers".
Registration numbers have three parts:
A sample registration code might be G-XLEE, where "G" indicates the United Kingdom, and "XLEE" indicates an Airbus A380 belonging to British Airlines (see graphic below).
For a complete list of current nationality marks, visit the website of ICAO.
The registration identifier must be shown prominently on the aircraft. It is typically displayed as follows:
Most countries also require the registration number to be imprinted on a permanent fireproof plate mounted on the fuselage in case of a post-fire/post-crash aircraft accident investigation.
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Examples of Registration Numbers |
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On Fuselage | ![]() |
Under the Wing | ![]() |
On Nosewheel Door | ![]() |
As the owner of an airplane changes, or the plane is moved to another country, the registration number will change.
Also, airplane manufacturers sometimes use "test" or "temporary" registration numbers until a customer takes ownership of the aircraft.
For example, Airbus might use registration number F-WWBQ on its aircraft during assembly and testing. The "F" indicates "France" where its Toulouse planted is located.
Starflyer Airbus A320, msn 7414, displaying temporary registration F-WWBQ (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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United Express Bombardier CRJ-701ER, Registration N753SK shown on the rear fuselage, at the DFW Airport (Photo courtesy of the DFW Airport) |
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British Airways Embraer ERJ-145 regional jet, with Registration G-EMBJ shown on the engine |
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Under fuselage view of an ATR 72-600, Registration Number F-WWEY seen under the wing (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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Mitsubishi SpaceJet, Registration JA21MJ shown under the wing |
Airbus A220 of Swiss Air HB-JBF ... "BF" on the nosewheel door (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
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Embraer E190 N238JB "Blue Clipper" of JetBlue Airways showing part of registration number on nosewheel door |
Listed below are the websites containing the registration listings for countries with large numbers of airliner registrations.
U.S. Air Force and Navy Military Aircraft Serial Number Search (Uses the Joe Baugher Lists) |