The Department of Transportation regulations require that consumers MUST be advised of code-share
arrangements. Code-sharing is a marketing arrangement in which one airline puts its code on the flights of
another airline in order to coordinate services and advertise and sell the
other airline’s services as its own.
- Agents must verbally advise the traveler of the code-share when the flight is
discussed. This applies whether or not the flight is actually booked.
- Agents must verbally advise the traveler of the code-share when the flight is
sold.
- The itinerary must include the operating carrier listed under the flight.
- If no itinerary is issued, you must provide a written notice that clearly identifies
the operating carrier.
The penalty for non-compliance is $2,500 per violation and $2,500 for each day the
violation continues.
If you have questions about code-share arrangements or your role in advising the passenger, please see your supervisor or
manager.
Identifying a Code-Share Arrangement
Indications of code-share arrangements often vary by airline and GDS. Below are some common
indicators of code-share flights in availability:
- An asterisk (*) next to the airline code. For example US/** in Sabre, the asterisk (*)
shown after the equipment type.
- The name of the operating carrier may be displayed beneath the code share flight.
- Flight number will be a 4-digit code like 8466.
- Flight numbers will begin with a “3” or higher (i.e., “5445”, “5499”)
- There may be two airline codes listed (i.e. DL/EV).
- After selling the flight, a message to alert you of the code-share will typically be sent.
Example 1
Code-shares with Regional/Commuter Airline:
The flight in the availability example below is operated by a regional carrier, US Airways Express-Air
Midwest Airlines.
1US/** 5445 Y7 B7 M7 H7 K5 PFNTPA 0655 0905 BE1 0 X7 DCA /E
To determine the operating carrier and type of equipment use the following format:
| Format |
Description |
| 1. VA*1 2. W/EQ*BE1 |
1. Identify if the flight is a commuter from availability. 2. Check equipment type. |
Example 2
Code-shares with Two Major Carriers:
If there is a code-share involving two major carriers, such as US/UA, you need to identify
the operating carrier.
Below is an example of an availability display. You need to determine which airline you should confirm
when both airlines show the same flights. This is especially true when dealing with clients that must
follow the Fly America Act. LH and UA are not actually operating two different flights at the exact same
time. The flight is operated by LH, but you can sell the UA flight number and validate the ticket on UA.
LH 417 F8 A8 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 Š IADFRA 440P 640A
UA 8833 F9 C9 D9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 Š IADFRA 440P 640A |
Below is an example of an itinerary where a code-share flight has been booked. Notice the flight from
IAD to ORD is on UA with the connecting flight showing as US 7661. This flight is actually operated by
United Airlines so the customer must be advised of the code-share.
UA 851Y 14OCT IADORD SS1 1000A 1055A*
US 7661Y 14OCT ORDNRT SS1 1210P 310PŠ*
OPERATED BY UNITED AIRLINES INC. |
To determine the operating carrier use the following format:
| Display from
Availability |
Display from Itinerary |
Instructions to Passenger |
| VA*5-6 |
VI* |
Check-in at the operating carrier ticket counter. |
Example 3
Determining Flight Numbers on the Operating Carrier:
The flight number on a code-share flight will be different from that of the operating carrier. You may sell UA 2063, however,
the traveler is actually traveling on US 1251 as shown below.
UA2063Y 25 MAR IADCLT SS1 1020A 1139A
OPERATED BY US AIRWAYS
UA1970Y 25 MAR CLTNAS SS1 1240P 0243P
OPERATED BY US AIRWAYS
ARNK
US1251Y 25MAR IADCLT SS1 1020A 1139A
US1166Y 25MAR CLTNAS SS1 1240P 0243P |
To determine the operating carrier’s flight number use the following format:
| Format |
Description |
| Enter VI* 115MARIADFRA7A‡LH |
1. To reveal the operating carrier from PNR.
2. Access availability on the operating carrier. |
last update March 2004