Code sharing, what it is and how it works
"Code sharing" is one of those terms we often hear about but few people really know. In [...]
"Code sharing" is one of those terms we often hear about but few people really know. In essence, it is a cooperative agreement through which an airline carries passengers with tickets issued by another carrier. In this way, companies are also able to cover routes that they do not have on their schedules at that time, but on which partner carriers fly.
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For example, Alitalia has code-sharing agreements with all the airlines in theSkyTeam Alliance and with numerous other carriers: airBaltic, Etihad, Tap Portugal and Croatia Airlines just to name a few.
What is code sharing
Code sharing is a commercial agreement that airlines enter into: one company (called "marketing airline") sells the ticket for an airline flight operated by a different company (called "operating carrier"). The benefit to the operators is obvious. The marketing airline expands its reach and also sells flights on routes not directly covered, the operating carrier fills seats and increases earnings without committing its resources to the sales process.
What about the passenger? What's in it for him? A lot, actually. Accumulate miles from the company selling the flight, even if that company does not cover the route of his interest. In addition, he enjoys the customer service Of the marketing airline. A nice advantage, especially in case the second part of the flight is operated by a "lesser" airline that does not have customer service in its own language. For example, if you fly Alitalia to Colombo for a vacation in Sri Lanka and here you take a domestic flight operated by SriLanka Airlines, also purchasing with Alitalia you enjoy the customer service of your national carrier. And you accumulate SkyTeam points.
Alitalia's code share agreements
How can I tell if my flight is code-shared?
A code-share flight is booked like any other flight. On the website of the airline you intend to fly with, typically the one with which you have a status of frequent flyer, you choose the date and destination and make the purchase. With your own credit card, or with miles. You will check in online on the site of the company that - in practice - will operate the flight. In the case mentioned above, on Alitalia's site you will make the online check-in for the flight from Italy to Colombo and on the SriLanka Airlines website check-infor the flight from Colombo to the final destination. Between flights, you will not have to retrieve your checked baggage, which will arrive directly at your destination. If you opt to check in at the airport, you will have to go to the operating carrier counter.
Airlines are legally obliged to indicate whether a flight is operated under code sharing. This can be seen as early as during the booking process: under the flight number there is usually the words "operated by". Similarly, the purchase ticket indicates the name of the company that will operate the flight (or its initials).
Status and miles when flying in "code share"
We have explained in many articles how to figure out whether or not our flight allows us to earn qualifying points and miles. First of all, we need to make two distinctions:
- If you fly with an airline in the same alliance you will earn points and qualifying miles even if the flight is not in code share
- Not all flights are code-shared within the same alliance, or with the same partner
In any case, it must always be remembered that it is the TRAVEL CLASS to determine whether the flight will generate points or qualifying miles. To know how many points you will earn and whether you will earn them, it is always helpful to consult where to credit.
If you fly with a partner carrier, it may be the case that status benefits are not recognized; in other cases the airline operating the flight may put restrictions on you. For example, if you do not book directly but use a partner carrier it may prevent you from upgrading.
