What is a codeshare flight?
A codeshare flight is a flight sold under one airline's name but flown by a partner airline. In your search results and itinerary, it shows as "Operated by X as Y": X is the airline that flies the plane, and Y is the airline that sold the seat.
This is completely normal. Airlines share flights with their partners all the time, and it doesn't mean anything is wrong with your booking.
How do I read "Operated by"?
Take a flight shown as "Operated by X as Y":
- X is the operating airline. It flies the plane, its crew works the flight, and you check in at its desk.
- Y is the airline that sold the seat. Your flight number is Y's, and Y's loyalty program typically earns the miles.
For example, Alaska operates most flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Honolulu (HNL) on Hawaiian Airlines' behalf. So those flights appear as "Operated by Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines": Alaska flies the plane, and the seat is sold under Hawaiian's name.
Which airline handles what?
This table shows which airline looks after each part of your flight:
| What | Which airline |
|---|---|
| The aircraft and crew | The operating airline (X) |
| The check-in desk | The operating airline (X) |
| Baggage rules and seat map | Usually the operating airline (X) |
| The flight number you booked | The airline that sold the seat (Y) |
| The loyalty program that earns your miles | Typically the airline that sold the seat (Y) |
In short, the airline that flies the plane looks after you at the airport and on board. The airline that sold the seat gives you your flight number, and usually your miles.
What do I do at the airport?
When you check in for your flight, go to the operating airline, the one shown after "Operated by". Its baggage rules usually apply too.
How do I find my booking on the airline's website?
You'll look up your trip with your airline confirmation number, which is released once your trip is paid in full. If you can't find your booking on one airline's website or app, try the airline that operates your flight. That's usually where it lives.
If your confirmation number has a slash in it, there's one confirmation per airline, in the order you fly. The first code is for the first airline you fly, and the next is for the airline that operates your following flight or your return. Use each code with its own airline. If your trip still isn't showing, see Why doesn't the airline's app show my trip yet?
Looking for a particular airline?
An airline you're looking for may not appear on a route because a partner operates most or all of those flights, so they're listed under the partner. Check the "Operated by" line in your results, or try our tips for finding a flight you saw somewhere else.