A codeshare allows one physical flight to be sold under more than one airline’s flight number. The airline operating the aircraft is the operating carrier, while partner airlines place their own marketing codes on the service and sell it as part of a wider itinerary.
One aircraft, several flight numbers
A passenger may buy a ticket from one airline even though another supplies the aircraft and crew. Booking systems must exchange schedules, seat requests, passenger details and disruption information. The operating carrier’s safety procedures and onboard product normally govern the flight itself.
Why airlines use them
Codeshares let airlines advertise destinations they do not serve with their own aircraft. They feed passengers into partner networks, improve corporate-travel coverage and can support alliance benefits such as through-checking baggage and earning loyalty credit.
Where confusion begins
Check-in location, baggage rules, seat selection and compensation responsibility can differ depending on the ticket and disruption. Regulations generally require the operating carrier to be disclosed, but passengers should still check who actually operates each sector.
A codeshare is not the same as a merger or joint venture. It is a commercial agreement layered over an operating flight, extending network reach without adding another aircraft to the route.
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