Air Travel 101
What is a codeshare flight?
A codeshare flight is sold by one airline but operated by another. Your ticket may show one airline code while the aircraft, crew, check-in desk, and baggage handling belong to a partner airline.
What to do first
- Find the operating airline.
- Use the operating airline for check-in and airport desks.
- Keep both booking references if provided.
- Check baggage and terminal details carefully.
Step-by-step instructions
- Step 1
Look for words like operated by on the itinerary. That tells you which airline actually flies the aircraft.
- Step 2
At the airport, search screens by destination, time, and operating airline if your marketing airline code does not appear quickly.
- Step 3
For online check-in, try the operating airline reference. Some partner bookings have two record locators.
- Step 4
Check terminal and baggage rules because they may follow the operating airline.
- Step 5
If disruption happens, start with the operating airline at the airport, then contact the selling airline if ticket changes are needed.
- Step 6
Save all confirmation emails because partner systems do not always show the same details.
Important things to check
- Operating airline
- Marketing airline
- Record locator
- Terminal
- Baggage policy
Common mistakes
- Standing at the selling airline desk when another airline operates the flight
- Searching screens only by airline code
- Missing partner check-in rules
- Assuming seat selection worked across both systems
What to do next
Once you know the operating airline, airport steps become clearer. Use that airline's app and desk for practical travel-day questions.
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