What Is a Codeshare Flight?

A codeshare flight is one aircraft sold under more than one airline’s flight number. One airline operates the flight; its partners sell seats under their own codes.

Operating and marketing carrier

The operating carrier flies the aircraft and its crew. The marketing carrier sells the ticket under its own code. You might book a flight shown as, say, an Emirates number but fly on a partner’s aircraft. The booking confirmation normally says “operated by”.

What changes for you

• Check-in and terminal: you usually check in with the operating carrier at the airport, or as your ticket says.
• Baggage rules: the airline you booked with usually sets the rules; confirm before travel.
• Flight status: the same flight has several numbers, but the operating airline’s status is the one that counts.

Tracking a codeshare flight

A tracker shows the aircraft under its callsign, which belongs to the operating carrier. If you search the marketing carrier’s number you may find nothing. Search for the operating carrier’s number instead.

Codeshare vs interline

Interline is a different arrangement: airlines cooperate on tickets and bags but each flight keeps its own number. See codeshare vs interline.

General information only, not legal or safety advice. Details change; check with your airline and the relevant authority. See our editorial policy.