Your Rights on Codeshare Flights: Which Airline Is Responsible?
Codeshare flights can be confusing for compensation claims. Your ticket says one airline, but another airline flew the plane. Who is responsible? The answer is clear once you understand the distinction.
Marketing vs. Operating Carrier
A codeshare flight is sold by one airline (the marketing carrier) but operated by another (the operating carrier). Your ticket might say "Delta DL1234" but the plane is actually flown by Air France. The key distinction for compensation claims is which airline actually flew the plane.
EU261 holds the operating carrier responsible. For EU261 and DOT compensation, you claim from the airline that actually operated the flight, not the airline that sold you the ticket. Check your boarding pass for the operating carrier code.
How to Identify the Operating Carrier
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Boarding pass: Shows "Operated by [airline name]" or has the operating carrier's flight code.
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Booking confirmation: Usually states "Operated by" if different from the marketing carrier.
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Airport departure board: Shows the operating carrier's aircraft at the gate.
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FlightAware: Search the flight number to see which airline actually flew it.
For example, a flight booked as United UA1234 but operated by Lufthansa LH5678: you claim from Lufthansa. For connecting flight complications, see our codeshare guide. For the EU261 guide, see our detailed resource.
EU261 Coverage on Codeshares
Codeshare arrangements can expand or limit your EU261 coverage. If you booked a Delta ticket but the flight was operated by Air France (an EU carrier), EU261 applies because the operating carrier is an EU carrier. Conversely, if you booked an Air France ticket but the flight was operated by Delta from the US, EU261 may not apply.
Check your flight to determine the correct airline to claim from. For the step-by-step claims process, see our guide. For DOT rights or EU261 rights, see our rights pages.