Narrative:

We entered french airspace in the reims sector at FL320. All communications appeared to be normal. At approximately XA20Z we were cleared direct to rlp. At approximately XA30Z we transitioned into the france sector and once again the communications seemed normal with one exception. Air carrier Y flight air data computer was about 6 or 7 minutes in front of us at this time and on our route of flight. There seemed to be some confusion on the part of the controller as well as the verbalization between our flight abc and air carrier Y's call signs (controller was difficult to understand). We listened very closely and read back clearances to verify. We were assigned a heading and even became pro-active at one point asking the controller 'do you want us to continue on this heading or proceed direct to vesan?' we also thought there was some confusion when we were assigned the next frequency only to be sent back to the previous one were the controller seemed unsure why. It was south of vesan at approximately XA45Z we were intercepted by a fighter jet. We asked ATC if they were aware of this and their short reply was in affirmative. We established communication with the interceptor and verified our identity and the frequency we were on with france control. Once this was confirmed the fighter jet broke off the intercept. I'm not sure how or why it got to this point; as we were always in communication with french ATC on an active frequency. Albeit a lower set volume; we were also monitoring 121.5. Other than what I'd describe as a mild confusion between flights abc and air data computer; I'd have to say everything appeared normal.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Similar call signs and a language barrier between ATC and the flight crew of two aircraft resulted in a military interception of the reporters' flight. The propriety of the flight was established with the intercept pilot and the flight was completed uneventfully.

Narrative: We entered French airspace in the REIMS sector at FL320. All communications appeared to be normal. At approximately XA20Z we were cleared direct to RLP. At approximately XA30Z we transitioned into the France sector and once again the communications seemed normal with one exception. Air Carrier Y Flight ADC was about 6 or 7 minutes in front of us at this time and on our route of flight. There seemed to be some confusion on the part of the Controller as well as the verbalization between our Flight ABC and Air Carrier Y's call signs (Controller was difficult to understand). We listened very closely and read back clearances to verify. We were assigned a heading and even became pro-active at one point asking the Controller 'do you want us to continue on this heading or proceed direct to VESAN?' We also thought there was some confusion when we were assigned the next frequency only to be sent back to the previous one were the Controller seemed unsure why. It was South of VESAN at approximately XA45Z we were intercepted by a Fighter Jet. We asked ATC if they were aware of this and their short reply was in affirmative. We established communication with the interceptor and verified our identity and the frequency we were on with France control. Once this was confirmed the Fighter Jet broke off the intercept. I'm not sure how or why it got to this point; as we were always in communication with French ATC on an active frequency. Albeit a lower set volume; we were also monitoring 121.5. Other than what I'd describe as a mild confusion between flights ABC and ADC; I'd have to say everything appeared normal.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.