Codeshare and interline flights
Don’t know the difference between codeshare and interline flights? Want to know how you check in, what the baggage allowance or other FAQs? Read Alternative Airlines' guide to codeshare and interline flights.
Codeshare and Interline Flights
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Codeshare flights
A codeshare agreement is where two or more airlines use the same flight number in a mutually beneficial agreement. This means that passengers can purchase a flight from one airline, using their flight number for a flight on another different airline. For example, you can purchase a seat on a plane under one airline, but it will actually be a seat on a plane of a different airline, which shares the same flight number or code. Codeshares often happen within alliances, such as OneWorld or SkyTeam, but not always. Codeshare flights are the perfect opportunity for travellers who are looking to fly in an easy and simple way. Codeshare flights also reduce the need for travellers to book separate tickets, instead, their connection flights are already set out.
Check-in for codeshare flights
Checking in for your flights can often cause confusion for passengers, as they may be unsure which company to use to check-in. However, the answer is generally the operating carrier. That is the actual airline that you will be flying with, not the one you purchased with. For example, in the example below in the FAQs, you would check-in for both flights with British Airways.
Baggage for codeshare flights
Like with check-in, baggage allowances for codeshare are usually that of the airline operating the flight. However, your baggage allowance will be shown on your ticket so it is best to follow the information provided on your ticket.
Interline flights
An Interline agreement, also known as interlining, interline ticketing or interline booking, is an agreement between two or more airlines to handle passengers when their itinerary involves travelling on multiple airlines. This means they agree to handle their baggage until their final destination, and check-in for their destination. A codeshare flight differs to an interline flight because a codeshare flight is the whole flight, whereas an interline is one flight within a wider itinerary. An example of an interline agreement is Etihad - the airline is not in partnership with airline alliances but it has interline agreements with British Airways and American Airlines.
Check-in for interline flights
Most interline agreements involve a section on check-in, which means that the customer should only have to check in for their whole itinerary once. This is usually with the airline which operates the first segment of the flight. However, if you are unsure, check with the airline to ensure you are checking in for the whole itinerary, and with the correct airline to avoid extra charges or missed flights.
Baggage for interline flights
Baggage for interline flights usually means that the airlines deal with your baggage, ensuring that it is carried till your final destination. This means that you will check your baggage at the departure airport and the airline will process this until your destination where you can pick it up. Some airlines do not participate in interline agreements, such as WOW Air who ask passengers to treat connecting flights with other airlines as if they are the first flight in your journey, and the passenger will have to collect their luggage and check it in with the next airline themselves.
