Date: 201810
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: Mixed
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class C ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Distraction; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: ZZZ was landing on Runway XXR; weather was reported at 3000 foot ceiling; so we briefed up the GPS RNAV X to Runway XY circling to XXR which was recommended in the Safety Alert on the [company airport] page. The Approach Controller descended us to 7500 feet MSL; and we could not see the airport.  Then he descended us to 7100 feet and we broke out of the weather.  He cleared us the visual to Runway XXR. We elected to continue flying the GPS to Runway XY for terrain clearance guidance then circle to XXR as we got closer to the runway. Once we were handed off to Tower Control we were cleared to land Runway XXR. I continued to fly the GPS to XY and pointed out to my FO (First Officer) that I saw [the runway of an adjacent airport]; ZZZ Runway XY; and the 1000 foot markers for ZZZ Runway XXR and was going to transition to Runway XX around 1000-800 feet AGL. The Tower Controller kept asking us if we were landing on Runway XXR.  We assured him we were transitioning to Runway XXR; but he kept asking us if we were sure we were landing on XXR; to the point that my FO was thinking we were doing something wrong and asked the Controller if we were messing something up that we were not aware of. And the Controller said all was good and would explain when we landed. At that time I was initiating a slight base turn to intercept final to be wings level at 500 feet; but it was distracting with the Controller asking so many times as to have us questioning our actions when we were following the Safety Alert suggestion. We landed uneventfully and while taxiing back; my FO and the Tower Controller talked over the radio. He said that from his vantage point it is hard to tell that we are lining up on the correct runway. We explained we were using a circling approach to help with our terrain clearance and flying a 'dogleg' to XXR to intercept the final. He said we did not do anything wrong and that him not being a Pilot did not know our procedures; and that he just wanted to make sure we were landing on XXR. I can understand how the Controller could be concerned; but with him asking so many times was a little distracting at a somewhat critical phase of flight.


Second narrative: We flew the [company airport] Alert page recommended approach for Runway XXR. We used the RNAV GPS to Runway XY; Circle to land Runway XXR. We received clearance and read back landing Runway XXR. While on the base leg; Controller confirmed again we were cleared for XXR. Below 1000 feet; approaching the final turn; Controller again verified XXR. At that point I got behind the aircraft and became concerned we had lost situational awareness. We landed without incident but we were completing the final portion of the turn to final below 500 feet AGL. Upon landing; we discussed with the Controller why he was so concerned. Visually from the Tower; our aircraft appeared to be on final for Runway XY. Our Alert page recommendation will certainly cause this.


Synopsis: B737 flight crew reported being distracted by repeated questions from ATC during a circle to land approach.