What is code sharing and how does it work?
Have you ever bought a ticket from a certain airline, then when you arrive at the airport, you are directed to a check-in desk of a different airline? If so, you might be travelling with the airline's codeshare partner instead of the airline you booked with. Code-sharing is a way airlines put their forces together to, amongst other things, improve customer experience. Read on to find out what code sharing is and how it works.
- What is code sharing?
- How does code sharing work?
- What are the advantages of code sharing as a traveler?
- How do you know if a flight is codeshared?
What is code sharing?
Code sharing is a partnership between two airlines that allows an airline to place its two-letter identification code on the flight schedules of another airline. This means that flights can be marketed by one airline and operated by another. For instance, British Airways may be in agreement with American Airlines whereby it operates American Airlines flights on a particular route. This flight would be enlisted with the American Airlines' identification code (AA), but actually be run by British Airways.
Put simply, code sharing allows airlines to sell tickets to destinations they do not fly to. These agreements allow airlines to offer numerous flights without additional equipment, resources and costs. Code-sharing also provides passengers with a wide choice of flights. It also makes booking, checking in, luggage handling, and traveling more convenient. Plus, the coordinated schedules make sure you have enough time for all your connections.
How does code sharing work?
Code-sharing works as follows, using British Airways and American Airlines as examples:
Say British Airways offers a flight with its own flight number and sells tickets for it. However, the actual trip is operated by American Airlines. The two airlines must have a commercial agreement to do this. American Airlines is therefore guaranteed revenue without the need to spend any money marketing to its customers. And British Airways sells tickets to customers, corporations, and travel agencies without providing any flight logistics. They usually share the profits of this flight.
In the code sharing agreement between British Airways and American Airlines in the above example, British Airways is the 'marketing' airline. American Airlines is the 'operating' airline, that actually flies the plane, carries the passengers, and supplies the pilots, as well as the flight attendants.
The traveller will be flying on a British Airways flight operated by American Airlines. Even though they bought tickets through British Airways and paid directly to them, they'll check in with American Airlines, and every step of the journey, including the plane, will be AA-managed.
Another way code sharing works is on connecting flights, where a traveller flies one part of the journey on one airline, and during a stopover, he or she switches to a second airline for the next part. Both parts of the journey will be ticketed as one flight ticket, issued by one airline, a codeshare partner with the second airline.
What are the advantages of code sharing as a traveller?
Code-sharing increases connectivity. It allows travellers to book connections in one place and have their journey completely taken care of by one airline. Travellers are also able to fly on multiple airlines with a single ticket and are protected if any delays arise.
It's important to remember that all airlines offer different services. So even though you've booked with a particular airline, if a different one operates the flight, it's the 'operating' flight carrier's service that you will be experiencing. So you may have booked a flight with regular services and end up experiencing premium service, and vice versa.
Travellers can also earn 'frequent flyer miles' with the airline they have booked with, even if they're not a frequent flyer member with the operating airline, provided both airlines are within the codeshare partnership.
How do you know if a flight is codeshared?
When you book a codeshare flight, you will see 'Operated By' on the itinerary, and there will be a reference mark before or after the flight number on your ticket. So if you've booked a British Airways ticket, but it's a American Airlines flight, it will say 'Operated by American Airlines.' It's essential to be aware of if your flight is codeshared in order to know who to turn to if you need assistance or encounter any difficulties while travelling,
If you want to change your ticket, contact the airline booked. For checking-in, or if your flight gets cancelled at the last minute, talk to the operating airline at the airport.
Now that you know what code sharing is and how it works, book your getaway through our flights page. Seeking travel advice or inspiration? Take a look at our travel tips blog. For all your travel needs, visit BudgetAir.co.uk!