Narrative:

We were flying at altitude of 29000 feet and we got handed over to washington center. My first officer checked in; a few minutes later center called us and asked for our speed and we told him we were doing 280 knots; he then told us to maintain 280 knots or less; and to fly 15 degrees to the right as we were on the GIBBZ2 arrival just passed waypoint burtt; and we complied. After a minute or so; my first officer and I heard center say; 'fly direct to hesee and descend and maintain FL240'; and my first officer read back the instructions and I proceeded to comply by placing hesee in the direct option and verified with my first officer and we both agreed and executed and navigation mode activated. I proceeded to place the new altitude FL240; confirmed with my first officer; and proceeded to comply with that as well. Then 30 seconds or so [later] I heard ATC say; 'fly direct to hesee and descend and maintain FL240' and then he called us and said that the instructions are meant for [another flight with similar call sign]; and 'turn 30 degrees to the right.' we compiled with it immediately and proceeded to inquire about the altitude as well since we got both heading and altitude in the same call. ATC responded; 'you are correct about the altitude and descend to FL240; but direct hesee is supposed to be for [the other aircraft]'. After a minute or so; ATC asked [the other aircraft] to change to the next frequency; and asked us to fly direct to hesee. Another minute or so ATC asked us to switch to the next frequency. Before switching frequency; I asked ATC if the situation was from our end and they told me 'you guys are fine but please ask your dispatchers to stop doing that; similar call- signs and flying them at the same time frame; as it was becoming a real problem.' I apologized and informed ATC I will notify the company; and hope it will get rectified.suggestions:1) for future; we will need to double verify the clearance with ATC when there is a similar call- sign on the same frequency; and ask if that instruction was intended for the right flight number; as both pilots and ATC are humans and mistakes can happen from both ends.2) I hope we don't get similar call signs on the same frequencies at the same time as it adds extra safety concerns for both pilots and ATC; but if it does happen both pilots and ATC should acknowledge that they are aware that there is a similar call sign and to use caution.3) both my first officer and I had a debrief about the situation after the termination of the flight; and both agree that we both heard the same thing that was our call sign; but we should have still confirmed for the second time. Since we were unaware of the similar call sign and with a busy control center; sometimes that is difficult to do specially if you received instructions and you read it back; and ATC never corrected us. I believe the controller might [of] had us confused with the other aircraft; but still; we all that are involved have the responsibility to confirm twice or more if they have to.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ-700 Captain reported responding to a clearance meant for another company aircraft with a similar sounding call sign.

Narrative: We were flying at altitude of 29000 feet and we got handed over to Washington Center. My First Officer checked in; a few minutes later Center called us and asked for our speed and we told him we were doing 280 knots; he then told us to maintain 280 knots or less; and to fly 15 degrees to the right as we were on the GIBBZ2 arrival just passed waypoint BURTT; and we complied. After a minute or so; my First Officer and I heard Center say; 'fly direct to HESEE and descend and maintain FL240'; and my First Officer read back the instructions and I proceeded to comply by placing HESEE in the direct option and verified with my First Officer and we both agreed and executed and Navigation mode activated. I proceeded to place the new altitude FL240; confirmed with my First Officer; and proceeded to comply with that as well. Then 30 seconds or so [later] I heard ATC say; 'fly direct to HESEE and descend and maintain FL240' and then he called us and said that the instructions are meant for [another flight with similar call sign]; and 'turn 30 degrees to the right.' We compiled with it immediately and proceeded to inquire about the altitude as well since we got both heading and altitude in the same call. ATC responded; 'You are correct about the altitude and descend to FL240; but direct HESEE is supposed to be for [the other aircraft]'. After a minute or so; ATC asked [the other aircraft] to change to the next frequency; and asked us to fly direct to HESEE. Another minute or so ATC asked us to switch to the next frequency. Before switching frequency; I asked ATC if the situation was from our end and they told me 'you guys are fine but please ask your dispatchers to stop doing that; similar call- signs and flying them at the same time frame; as it was becoming a real problem.' I apologized and informed ATC I will notify the company; and hope it will get rectified.Suggestions:1) For future; we will need to double verify the clearance with ATC when there is a similar call- sign on the same frequency; and ask if that instruction was intended for the right flight number; as both pilots and ATC are humans and mistakes can happen from both ends.2) I hope we don't get similar call signs on the same frequencies at the same time as it adds extra safety concerns for both pilots and ATC; but if it does happen both pilots and ATC should acknowledge that they are aware that there is a similar call sign and to use caution.3) Both my First Officer and I had a debrief about the situation after the termination of the flight; and both agree that we both heard the same thing that was our call sign; but we should have still confirmed for the second time. Since we were unaware of the similar call sign and with a busy control center; sometimes that is difficult to do specially if you received instructions and you read it back; and ATC never corrected us. I believe the Controller might [of] had us confused with the other aircraft; but still; we all that are involved have the responsibility to confirm twice or more if they have to.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.