What is a codeshare flight?

A flight where one airline sells the ticket (marketing carrier) but another airline actually operates the plane (operating carrier). The boarding pass shows 'Operated by [Airline]'.

Which carrier is responsible for compensation?

Operating carrier for EU261/UK261 statutory compensation and Article 9 care. Marketing carrier for refund and rebook.

Does alliance membership change things?

Somewhat. Interline rebook across alliance partners is easier. Upgrade rights typically do not transfer across carriers even within the same alliance, except in close joint ventures.

Can I use my miles to upgrade a codeshare flight?

Usually no. Upgrade rights typically do not cross carriers. Joint ventures (Delta-KLM, for example) are exceptions.

What happens to baggage on a codeshare?

Most-significant operating carrier rule. Baggage allowance and liability follow the airline operating the longest segment. Damage claims go to the delivering carrier.

Do US domestic codeshares work the same way?

US domestic codeshares follow DOT refund rules. EU261-style operating carrier logic does not directly apply, but the marketing/operating split is the same.

Can I claim against both carriers?

Yes, for different losses. Refund from marketing, EU261 cash and Article 9 care from operating. Not the same claim twice.

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Compensation TipsApril 23, 2026•8 min read

Codeshare Flight Rights: 2026 Guide

Codeshare flight rights 2026 guide: the full landscape. Marketing vs operating carrier split, EU261 filing rules, Article 9 care, baggage liability, upgrade rules, and the recovery path when things go wrong. Here is the complete master guide.

Codeshare Flight Rights 2026 Guide: The Core Framework

Codeshare flight rights 2026 guide centers on one decisive distinction: marketing carrier vs operating carrier. The marketing carrier sold the ticket and hosts frequent-flyer miles and refund obligations. The operating carrier actually flies the plane and bears EU261 and Article 9 care liability. Every codeshare question unwinds from this split.

Marketing carrier = ticket, refund, miles. Operating carrier = EU261, care, baggage (in most cases). The confusion is the point; airlines sometimes use it to dodge claims.

What Each Carrier Owes

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Marketing carrier: refund of ticket, rebook coordination, FFP miles, vouchers, goodwill gestures.
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Operating carrier: EU261 / UK261 compensation, Article 9 care, most baggage liability.
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Both: communication with the passenger (but responsibility rests with the operating carrier when flights disrupt).

Filing Map

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EU261 cash compensation: operating carrier.
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DOT refund (US): marketing (ticketing) carrier.
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UK261 cash: operating carrier.
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EU261 Article 9 care: operating carrier.
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Baggage damage: most-significant operating carrier.
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Frequent flyer miles: marketing carrier.
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Visa / passport issues: neither (passenger's responsibility).

See which airline files the EU261 claim on a codeshare for the specific filing procedure.

Alliance Considerations

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Star Alliance: 26 members; broad interline rebook capability.
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SkyTeam: 20 members; Delta-AF-KL joint venture tight coordination.
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oneworld: 14 members; American-BA-Iberia transatlantic JV.
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Non-alliance partnerships: JetBlue with many EU carriers; Alaska within Global Airline Alliance network.

Upgrade Rules on Codeshares

Upgrade rights cross-carrier are typically NOT supported. An AA Executive Platinum cannot typically use a systemwide upgrade on a BA-operated codeshare, despite both being oneworld. Joint ventures loosen this (Delta-KLM, for example, does allow some cross-carrier upgrades). See codeshare upgrade rights: the unexpected rules for the current alliance matrix.

When Things Go Wrong

1
Identify the operating carrier (boarding pass 'Operated by').
2
Document the disruption (time, cause, photos).
3
File EU261 / UK261 claim with operating carrier.
4
File refund claim with marketing (ticketing) carrier.
5
Request Article 9 care at operating carrier's service desk.
6
Keep receipts for any uncovered out-of-pocket spend.
7
Escalate to national enforcement body if denied.

Pillar Link and Authority Sources

See the full pillar at Codeshare Flight Rights: Which Airline Is Responsible. Primary sources: Regulation (EC) 261/2004, DOT Aviation Consumer Protection, and the Montreal Convention 1999 via ICAO.

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