What is a codeshare flight?

A flight sold under the flight number of more than one airline. One airline flies the plane; the others sell seats on it.

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Codeshare flight, explained

On a codeshare, your ticket may show one airline's flight number while another airline operates the flight. The operating airline's plane, seat and service are what you get.

That matters in business class, because the seat and the service come from the airline flying the plane. Your itinerary says "operated by" for each flight.

Codeshares are common within alliances and joint ventures, so one trip can carry two or three airlines' flight numbers. Check-in usually happens with the operating airline, whose baggage rules can apply, and for seats, meals and lounges the operating airline is the one to look up.

On a business class trip

A flight sold with an American Airlines number from New York to London may be operated by British Airways, with British Airways' business class seat.

Related terms

Airline alliance
A group of airlines that share networks, lounges and loyalty benefits: Star Alliance, oneworld and SkyTeam.
Interline agreement
An agreement between airlines to carry each other's passengers and bags on one ticket, even outside an alliance.
Airline joint venture
A deeper partnership in which airlines coordinate schedules and fares on a set of routes and share the revenue, beyond an alliance.

Further reading: New York to London in business class. Every term in the glossary.