A single itinerary can involve several airlines, but the agreement behind it changes who sells, operates and supports each flight.

Interline connects separate networks

An interline agreement lets one airline sell an itinerary including services operated by another. It can support through-ticketing, baggage transfer and disruption handling, but the exact services depend on the agreement and ticket.

Codeshare adds a marketing flight number

The same physical flight appears under more than one airline code. The operating carrier flies the aircraft; the marketing carrier sells access to it. The booking should identify both so passengers can verify terminal, baggage rules and onboard product.

Joint ventures coordinate more deeply

A joint venture can coordinate schedules, fares and revenue across selected markets, subject to approval. It is deeper than ordinary interline or codeshare cooperation, but the airlines remain separate companies.

IATA

Read the ticket, not only the logos

A booking can display one airline’s code while another company operates the aircraft. An interline arrangement may permit a single ticket without a shared brand or coordinated timetable. For each segment, check the operating carrier, baggage allowance, check-in point and what happens after a missed connection. Those details matter more to the journey than the partnership label.

Questions about this topic

Does codesharing guarantee through-checked baggage?

No. Check the ticket, operating carriers, baggage agreement and customs procedures. A shared marketing code alone does not establish baggage acceptance or connection protection.

Does a shared flight number guarantee every benefit?

No. Confirm the operating carrier, baggage terms, connection protection and loyalty eligibility for the actual fare. Partnership labels do not make all tickets equivalent.

This publication combines AI-assisted news synthesis and background guides. Sources, announcement dates and material corrections are disclosed. It does not claim a reporting team on the ground.