What does code-share mean in the airline industry?

Answer 1

Code-Share came into fruition in the early-to-mid eighties. It allowed airlines to stream operations and appeal to passengers the idea of taking a 'through' flight from one point to another, especially where one of the carriers did not fly.

As an example, Delta Airlines had passengers wanting to fly from Atlanta to Johannesburg. Canadian Airlines had passengers who wanted to fly from Johannesburg to Atlanta. The two carriers entered into a 'code-share' whereby passengers buying a ticket in Atlanta from Delta, would have a ticket that showed a through Delta Flight number (usually consisting of four numbers) showing departing from ATL at 1540 and arriving in JNB at 1110 the following day.

The truth was, however, that the four digit flight number actually represented that the passenger would be flying a Delta flight that operated as a three digit number from ATL to YUL (Montreal), and connected to a three digit Canadian flight operating from YUL to JNB. It made the service appear seamless. It also afforded airlines to coordinate schedules and enhance baggage transfer services.

One of the most famous code-shares ever begun was between British Airways and Braniff International. Braniff, being one of the most fascinating, hip, and progressive appearing airlines of its time, was keen to connect themselves to BA's Concorde. BA was to operate their Concorde flight from Heathrow to Washington IAD, and BN were to operate the Concorde from IAD to DFW -Dallas Ft Worth. It had interesting potential for Braniff, adding to its mystique of being such a progressive carrier. And it provided the possibility of additional revenue streams for British Airways for passengers travelling beyond London. BA saw this as an opportunity to move passengers away from carriers such as Pan Am and TWA who offered direct services to destinations on the Continent and beyond.

There have been numerous 'hiccups' along the way regarding the idea of code-shares. Today, it appears more for the benefit of the airlines to retain dwindling revenues.

One rather darkly famous 'hiccup' occurred in the nineties when American Airlines, in its enthusiasm entered into a series of code-shares with carriers flying into the Gulf and Middle East.

One code-share was with Gulf Air, a rather famous airline known for its luxurious service and attentive staff. Passengers could book an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Bahrain, using the single airline designator of AA. It worked well and passengers from both directions enjoyed the service, although the American concept of service was certainly far far below the luxury provided by the Gulf carriers.

About a month into the code-share agreement, American, again enthusiastically, entered into another code-share agreement with another Middle-Eastern carrier. This code-share presented results never imagined by the american psyche when passengers found themselves seated on the transatlantic flight from New York to London. American had a portion of passengers, now changed into their national costume (thobe and ghutra), destined for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, etc., sitting next to passengers wearing their unique clothing of black suits, white shirts, no tie and a streimel (black hat) or yarmulke, who were headed for Israel on their code-share ticket between El Al Israeli Airlines and American.

Locked inside a metal tube, literally sharing arm-rests, for hours on end, presented a fascinating perspective on 'des relations diplomatiques amicales' among passengers and crew alike! That particular code-share agreement was 'tweaked' quite quickly to the relief of all.