Why does your flight show two different airlines?
You may buy a flight from one airline and then discover that another airline is actually flying the plane. That is usually a codeshare. It is common, but when a flight is delayed, cancelled or overbooked, knowing which airline operated it can matter for your passenger rights.
At a glance
Codeshare flight
What it is
One airline sells a seat on a flight operated by another airline
Clue
Look for the words “operated by” on your booking
Flight number
The same physical flight can have more than one airline flight number
If disrupted
The operating airline is often the key airline for your rights
A codeshare is normal airline cooperation. The important part for a disrupted journey is knowing which airline actually operated each flight.
Quick answer
A codeshare does not mean you have fewer passenger rights
If your booking says one airline name but “operated by” another, the second airline is usually the one actually flying the aircraft. Under EU, UK and Türkiye passenger-rights rules, that operating airline normally carries the main duties when the flight is delayed, cancelled or overbooked.
Canada also places most flight-disruption duties on the operating carrier. Saudi rules require passengers to be told which airline actually operates each part of a codeshare journey. Keep both airline names, but identify the operator of the disrupted flight first.
On this page
What a codeshare means
Two airline names can still mean one physical flight
Airlines partner so they can sell seats on each other's flights. To the passenger, that can make one flight look like two different flights even though everyone boards the same aircraft.
One airline sells the flight
The airline on your booking may sell the seat under its own flight number even though another airline will actually fly you.
Another airline operates it
The airline named after “operated by” is normally the airline providing the aircraft and crew for that flight.
The same flight can have two flight numbers
Partner airlines can place their own flight numbers on the same physical flight. Two passengers on the same aircraft can therefore have different flight numbers on their bookings.
Your passenger rights do not disappear
A codeshare does not remove your rights when a flight is delayed, cancelled or overbooked. What matters is which passenger-rights rules cover the journey and which airline operated the disrupted flight.
How to spot it
Look at each flight on your booking, not just the airline logo
The airline shown most prominently in an app or confirmation is not always the airline operating every flight. A few lines on the itinerary usually tell you what you need to know.
Look for “operated by”
Your confirmation may show one airline beside the flight number and another after “operated by.” That second airline is usually the one actually flying the aircraft.
Compare the flight numbers
A codeshare flight can be sold under more than one flight number. Keep the number on your booking and, if shown, the operating airline's flight number too.
Check every part of a connecting trip
Different airlines can operate different legs of the same booking. Do not assume the airline operating your first flight also operates the next one.
Keep the original itinerary
Your booking can be the clearest record of which airline sold each flight and which airline was supposed to operate it.
If your codeshare flight is disrupted
Start by identifying who actually operated the affected flight
This is the quickest way to make sense of a partner-airline booking when something goes wrong. You do not need to untangle the airlines' commercial agreement yourself.
Find the airline named after “operated by” for the exact flight that was delayed, cancelled or overbooked.
Keep the airline that sold or marketed the ticket too. Both names can matter even when the operating airline carries the main disruption duties.
If the disruption affects a connection on the same booking, keep the full itinerary rather than only the affected flight. Your final arrival time can matter.
If one airline sends you to the other, ask each airline to confirm in writing which carrier operated the affected flight and who it says is responsible for helping you.
Passenger rights by country or region
Who handles a codeshare disruption depends on the passenger-rights rules covering your flight
The practical starting point is usually the same: identify the airline that operated the disrupted flight. The examples below show how several of the passenger-rights systems Travaro supports handle that distinction.
European Union
EC261
The operating airline usually carries the main disruption duties
Under EC261, the airline that actually performs or intends to perform the flight is the operating air carrier. That airline normally carries the core duties for delays, cancellations and denied boarding, even when another airline sold the seat under its own flight number.
United Kingdom
UK261
The airline actually flying you is usually the key airline
UK261 also places the main disruption duties on the operating airline. On a codeshare booking, the airline after “operated by” is usually more important for a delay, cancellation or denied-boarding claim than the airline code used to sell the seat.
Canada
APPR
The operating carrier has the main APPR disruption duties
Canada's APPR makes the carrier operating the flight responsible for most delay, cancellation and denied-boarding obligations. Where one carrier carries passengers for another under a commercial agreement, both carriers can also share responsibility for some passenger-information and related duties.
Saudi Arabia
GACA
You should be told which airline actually operates each part
Saudi rules require the airline you contract with to explain when codesharing or another commercial arrangement is being used and to identify the actual carrier for each part of the trip. Keep that information if a disruption occurs.
Türkiye
SHY-YOLCU
The airline operating the flight is central to your rights
Türkiye's passenger-rights rules distinguish the airline operating the flight from another airline or business that may hold the passenger contract. The main duties for delay, cancellation, denied boarding, care and compensation are placed on the airline operating the flight.
Oman
Oman CAA
A codeshare booking is not proof of operation
For Oman-related travel, identify the airline that actually flies the affected leg. The ticket seller or codeshare partner may not be the operator responsible for support.
India
DGCA
DGCA obligations follow the flight operator
For flights covered by India’s DGCA rules, the airline operating or intending to operate the flight has the relevant passenger-protection obligations, even when a partner sold the ticket.
Codeshares and connecting flights
Partner airlines matter even more when your trip has a connection
One booking can contain several airlines, several flight numbers and more than one operating carrier. Keep the whole journey together if a disruption causes you to arrive late.
One booking can contain several airlines
A single itinerary can include flights operated by different partner airlines. Keep the whole booking so the complete journey is clear.
A missed connection can affect the whole trip
If one codeshare flight is late and you miss the next flight on the same booking, your rights can depend on the full journey and how late you reach your final destination.
A replacement flight may use another airline
After a disruption, you can be moved to a different airline. Keep both the original and replacement itineraries because the airline operating the new flight may be different again.
Do not rely on the logo alone
The airline logo at the top of your booking or app does not always tell you who operates every flight. Check each individual leg.
What to keep
Keep the records that show every airline involved in your journey
Codeshare details can disappear from an app after travel. Save the documents that show who sold, operated and later rebooked each part of your trip.
Original booking
Keep the itinerary showing every flight number, airline name and any “operated by” wording.
Boarding passes
Save boarding passes for each part of the journey because they can help confirm the airline that actually operated each flight.
Disruption messages
Keep emails, text messages and app notifications from both partner airlines, especially messages about delays, cancellations or rebooking.
Replacement itinerary
If you were moved to another flight or airline, keep the replacement booking together with the original itinerary.
Keep exploring
Related guides
Operating airline vs ticketing airline
Understand the difference between the airline that sold your ticket and the airline that actually operated your flight.
Read guideRebooking rights
See what another flight or alternative travel the airline may need to offer when your journey is disrupted.
Read guideMissed connection compensation
Learn when arriving late after a missed connection may lead to a compensation claim.
Read guideCheck your journey
Was your codeshare flight disrupted?
Travaro checks your journey against the passenger-rights rules we support and can manage an eligible compensation claim from assessment through resolution.
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