What is a codeshare flight?

A codeshare agreement is when one airline puts its code and flight number on a plane operated by another airline. The airline that actually operates the flight, providing the plane, crew, and ground handling services, is the operating carrier. The airline(s) that sells tickets for the flight, but does not operate it, is the marketing carrier. Thus, flight 255 operated by airline XX might also be sold by airline YY as flight YY7255. Most major airlines today have partnerships with other airlines and code sharing is a key feature of these partnerships. It is an easy way for airlines to expand destination options and generate additional revenue. While codesharing is meant to be seamless for the traveler, there are a couple of situations to be aware of. Typically, upgrades do not work on codeshare flights where the upgrade is supplied by the marketing carrier, and securing seat assignments can sometimes get a bit messy. Also, on routes where the marketing carrier operates its own flights as well as has codeshares, the codeshare flights tend to be more expensive. DOT regulations require that ticket sellers disclose the names of the marketing and operating carriers prior to booking. If you have any questions regarding what a codeshare flight would mean for your trip please take the time to ask your Travel-On/Travel Place agent.