Double the Flying Pleasure by Laura Jackson

This week marked my first trip on the “magic red carpet” – otherwise known as Brazil-based TAM Linhas Aereas. As I prepared for my trip, I realized this would be only the second journey of my entire life on an airline with a code made up of the same two letters – TAM’s official code as assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is JJ. (The other notch in my belt is AA – American Airlines). This revelation inspired me to find other airlines with this unique identifying characteristic; they are described below.
AA - American Airlines
American is the largest of the single-letter code carriers. Operating nearly 3,500 daily flights, American operates hubs in Dallas, Chicago and Miami, and its flights link cities in 50 countries.
BB – Seaborne Airlines
Seaborne Airlines is based in the U.S. Virgin Islands and operates services between St. Thomas and St. Croix. Seaborne’s fleet of six de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft links both the Cyril E. King Airport (STT) and the St. Thomas Seaplane Base (SPB) on the island of St. Thomas with Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) and the St. Croix Sea Plane Base (SSB) on the neighboring island of St. Croix.
DD – Nok Air
Nok Air is the low-cost subsidiary of Thai Airways International. With five Boeing 737 aircraft, Nok Air is one of only three airlines that operate service at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). Nok Air links DMK with seven Thai cities.
HH – Taban Air
Iran-based Taban Air primarily provides scheduled commercial flights on domestic routes from Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport (THR). Taban’s one scheduled international flight links Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) with the Turkish city of Istanbul (IST).
JJ – TAM Linhas Aereas
The largest carrier in Brazil, TAM operates 44 of all flights from Sao Paulo’s airports and 36 percent of flights from Rio de Janeiro’s airports. TAM has more than 20 long-haul aircraft on order, indicating plans to increase Brazilian connections to destinations around the world.
KK – Atlasjet Airlines
Like Taban Air, Turkey-based Atlasjet primarily provides domestic service. International flights link Turkish cities with Cyprus and Iraq. Atlasjet’s fleet includes five narrowbody Airbus aircraft (four A321s and one A320) and one Boeing 737.
SS – Corsair International
Believe it or not, Corsair does not operated scheduled commercial service to its namesake of Corsica. Founded in Ajaccio, Corsica, in 1981, Corsair’s main hub is now at the Paris-Orly Airport (ORY). Orly-originating passengers can reach cities in Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East; Corsair also links the French cities of Lyon, Marseilles, Nantes and Toulouse with resort destinations in the Indian Ocean. Corsair’s fleet includes all long-haul aircraft: Airbus A330s and Boeing 747s.
TT - Tiger Airways
Tiger Airways is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines that operates low-cost service in Australia. From its primary hub at Melbourne International Airport (MEL), Tiger Airways provides flights on 180-seat Airbus A320s to 11 cities Down Under.
UU – Air Austral
Based in the French overseas territory of Reunion situated in the Indian Ocean, Air Austral’s main hub is the Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Sainte-Marie. The busiest route from RUN is to nearby Mauritius, another Indian Ocean island. Air Austral operates 10 total aircraft, including Boeing jets and ATR turboprops.
VV – AeroSvit Airlines
Ukraine-based AeroSvit began operations in 1994. From its hub at Boryspil International Airport (KBP) – Kiev’s busiest airport – AeroSvit operates nearly 20 daily flight departures to destinations around the world, including Beijing, New York, Moscow and Tel Aviv.
WW – bmibaby
Last but not least is bmibaby, the low-cost division of British Midland. The UK city of East Midlands ranks as bmibaby’s largest station, followed closely by Birmingham and Manchester. In total, bmibaby serves 18 cities across Europe using Boeing 737 aircraft.
Source: Official Airline Guide (OAG) Schedule Tapes for November 2009 only, unless otherwise noted; including only scheduled commercial flights (no charters), unless otherwise noted; Air Transport Intelligence.