PhoneUse the Phonetic Alphabet
If you’re a traveler or even just someone who books travel frequently, it’s a good idea to use the phonetic alphabet when spelling important things over the telephone or in person. Using the phonetic alphabet to spell your name or to locate your confirmation record makes communicating so much easier and quicker, eliminates confusion and can save you time and potential headaches. Of course, there are other words you can use to reference the letter or spelling you’re conveying, but these ones are the best for good reason:

  • A — Alpha
  • B — Bravo
  • C — Charlie
  • D — Delta
  • E — Echo
  • F — Foxtrot
  • G — Golf
  • H — Hotel
  • I — India
  • J — Juliet
  • K — Kilo
  • L — Lima
  • M — Mike
  • N — November
  • O — Oscar
  • P — Papa
  • Q — Quebec
  • R — Romeo
  • S — Sierra
  • T — Tango
  • U — Uniform
  • V — Victor
  • W — Whiskey
  • X — X-ray
  • Y — Yankee
  • Z — Zulu

 

____________________________________________________________

Tried this tip? Let me know in the comments!
Have your own tip? Email it to whitney@johnnyjet.com!
Want to see more tips? Click here for all 585!

Want even more travel tips? Subscribe to the Daily Travel Tip newsletter! All you have to do is sign up for the weekly newsletter by filling in your email address and checking the Daily Travel Tip box in the top-right corner of the homepage.

If you already subscribe to the newsletter, fill in your email and check the Daily Travel Tip box in the same top-right corner of the homepage and you’ll receive an email with a link to update your JohnnyJet.com preferences. On that page, just click the Daily Travel Tip box and Update Profile and you’ll have Johnny’s best tips, straight to your inbox each day. And don’t worry—it’s easier than it sounds!

6 Comments On "Travel Tip of the Day: Use the Phonetic Alphabet"
  1. Cathy|

    Johnny,
    Loved the phonetic tip but I must register a pet peeve. In the very last sentence you used the phrase “these ones”. That is incorrect grammar. Sadly, it is used more and more today by all ages. Please try to refrain from using it in the future. You should have said:

    Of course, there are other words you can use to reference the letter or spelling you’re conveying, but these are the ones best used for good reason:

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Thank you for pointing it out!

  2. Jonno|

    I really enjoy you on Leo’s shows. You always have interesting advice and I save all your tips. Sorry I missed you in Hawaii I was there at the same time staying at the Halekulani Hotel. Keep up the great work, Jonno

    1. Johnny Jet|

      Thanks for the love and sorry to miss you! Had lunch on Monday there

  3. Peter|

    Another Tip you should add to this tip. If you spell something to someone on the phone you have to spell it like
    J like Juliet
    O like Oscar
    H like Hotel
    N Like November
    N like November
    Y like Yankee

    In 99% of conversations with people on the phone, the wont understand if you tell them you will spell it and start: Juliet – Oscar – Hotel – November – November – Yankee.
    The reply will be then: What was the first one?

  4. Hermes|

    Instead, for airline staff I use foreign countries, as they are probably familiar with geography: B as in Bolivia, C as in China, etc.

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *

Recent posts