International Aircraft Code: Understanding Aircraft Registration Numbers

🕗 2 minutes | October 31, 2023 | Text Kamil Wrzosek (opens in a new tab)

SP-LMF, SP-LIA, SP-LRH… Have you ever wondered what these markings on an aircraft’s fuselage mean? These are international aircraft codes, commonly referred to as registration numbers. But why are they assigned? What is the ICAO phonetic alphabet? Find out in this article!

An aircraft registration number is an alphanumeric code that indicates the national affiliation of an aircraft. In Poland, these registration numbers are assigned by the Civil Aviation Authority, which also maintains a register of civil aircraft.

Each aircraft registration number consists of a prefix that designates the country (in this case, SP for Poland), followed by a suffix, which helps identify the airline and aircraft type. 

• SP – Prefix indicating Poland
• L – Designates LOT Polish Airlines

The second letter of the suffix identifies the aircraft type:

• SP-LR – Boeing 787-8
• SP-LS – Boeing 787-9
• SP-LN – Embraer 195
• SP-LM – Embraer 190
• SP-LI – Embraer 175
• SP-LD – Embraer 170
• SP-LW – Boeing 737-800
• SP-LV – Boeing 737 MAX

The third letter indicates the order in which the aircraft joined the fleet. SP-LNA is the first Embraer 195 that joined the fleet.

Aircraft registration numbers are usually located on the rear fuselage. However, a shortened version (typically the last two letters) can also be found near the cockpit and landing gear.

Aircraft registration numbers serve several critical purposes:

• Official registration with the Civil Aviation Authority,
• Identification for air traffic control communication,
• Improved coordination between pilots and ground controllers.

In aviation radio communication, the ICAO phonetic alphabet is used to spell out letters. Each letter corresponds to a standardized word to ensure clear communication.

For example, the registration number SP-LMF (assigned to an Embraer 190) is read as: Sierra Papa Lima Mike Foxtrot. This system helps avoid miscommunication between pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide.