Narrative:

I checked on with minneapolis center. After being on the frequency for about 5-10 minutes; our ride started to deteriorate. The captain (ca) got on the radio and told the controller that our ride was light turbulence at FL370 and asked about rides up ahead. The controller responded that he did not have anybody at FL370. The ca then requested FL350. The controller cleared us to descend and maintain FL350; so that is what was selected and the ca initiated the descent. When we were descending through FL355 the controller asked us why we had not started our descent. I said [callsign] is in the descent to FL350. The controller then said he told [another company callsign] to descend to fl 350 and we needed to return to FL370. I said we are at FL352 and you want us to climb back to FL370? He did not answer this question and instead this same controller that cleared us to FL350 then asked what our flight number was and where are you? The ca got on the radio and said we are [callsign]; we are 80 miles south of dsm and we were the ones that asked about the rides and requested FL350 and you cleared us to FL350. The controller's immediate response was to have us switch frequencies to minneapolis center. I checked in on the frequency and stressed we were at FL350. Upon initial contact; the controller switched us to kansas city center. Upon checking in on kansas center frequency and stressing the FL350; this controller said we descended to FL350 with no clearance and that nobody was talking to us while this happened. The ca then said on the frequency that we were cleared down to fl 350 by a previous controller and were continuously in communication with ATC at all times. The kc center controller asked who cleared us and we said it was the guy on frequency. We stayed at FL350 and did not hear anything more from ATC about what happened. Not scheduling similar sounding flight numbers around the same time of day would help in preventing confusion. We used and heard our [callsign] throughout the entire conversation with ATC. At no point where we ever told of [company flight with similar callsign] until the controller said he was telling [company flight with similar callsign] to descend. I think the similar sounding call signs were confusing for ATC because from my perspective [company flight with similar callsign] was not on the same frequency because I never heard them on frequency (and we were not told of similar sounding call signs).

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air Carrier flight crew reported confusion and miscommunication with ATC due to a similar callsign situation.

Narrative: I checked on with Minneapolis Center. After being on the frequency for about 5-10 minutes; our ride started to deteriorate. The Captain (CA) got on the radio and told the controller that our ride was light turbulence at FL370 and asked about rides up ahead. The controller responded that he did not have anybody at FL370. The CA then requested FL350. The controller cleared us to descend and maintain FL350; so that is what was selected and the CA initiated the descent. When we were descending through FL355 the controller asked us why we had not started our descent. I said [callsign] is in the descent to FL350. The controller then said he told [another company callsign] to descend to FL 350 and we needed to return to FL370. I said we are at FL352 and you want us to climb back to FL370? He did not answer this question and instead this same controller that cleared us to FL350 then asked what our flight number was and where are you? The CA got on the radio and said we are [callsign]; we are 80 miles south of DSM and we were the ones that asked about the rides and requested FL350 and you cleared us to FL350. The controller's immediate response was to have us switch frequencies to Minneapolis Center. I checked in on the frequency and stressed we were at FL350. Upon initial contact; the controller switched us to Kansas City Center. Upon checking in on Kansas Center frequency and stressing the FL350; this controller said we descended to FL350 with no clearance and that nobody was talking to us while this happened. The CA then said on the frequency that we were cleared down to FL 350 by a previous controller and were continuously in communication with ATC at all times. The KC center controller asked who cleared us and we said it was the guy on frequency. We stayed at FL350 and did not hear anything more from ATC about what happened. Not scheduling similar sounding flight numbers around the same time of day would help in preventing confusion. We used and heard our [callsign] throughout the entire conversation with ATC. At no point where we ever told of [company flight with similar callsign] until the controller said he was telling [company flight with similar callsign] to descend. I think the similar sounding call signs were confusing for ATC because from my perspective [company flight with similar callsign] was not on the same frequency because I never heard them on frequency (and we were not told of similar sounding call signs).

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.