American Airlines has decided to change the flight number for its Wichita to Washington Reagan route following a tragic accident. On January 29, a CRJ700 operated by PSA for American Eagle collided with a military helicopter while approaching Washington Reagan Airport. There were no survivors from the incident.
In response, the airline has altered the flight number from AA5342 to AA5677 starting January 31. However, this change appears temporary as the flight is expected to revert back to AA5342 on February 6 and continue until February 12. Afterward, it will adopt AA5574 on February 13.
American Eagle began operating the Reagan-Wichita route on January 8, 2024. Previously, this route had not been flown since America West ended service in 1991. Over the past year, eleven different flight numbers have been used for this direction.
The practice of changing flight numbers after fatal accidents is common among airlines. Notable examples include changes made after September 11, 2001; American Airlines has not reused AA11 or AA77 since then, and United Airlines has avoided UA93 and UA175.
Another instance involved Continental Connection’s CO3407 after a fatal crash in February 2009. While Continental ceased using that number shortly afterward, United briefly used it in 2011 between Ottawa and Chicago O’Hare.
