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Codeshares and Contracts of Carriage: Who's in charge here?

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Codeshares and Contracts of Carriage: Who's in charge here?

Q. I've booked a flight to Maui on Alaska Airlines, but one of the four legs of my trip will be flown on American Airlines. Which airline contract of carriage will apply for that one leg of the trip? And if different costs apply (such as the charges for luggage), do we just go by Alaska's rules even if American is our first flight of the return trip?

A. The luggage fees will be those of Alaska Airlines, since that is the carrier through which you originally booked your trip. During your segment with American Airlines, you will be covered by American's contract of carriage, should anything go wrong. If you're concerned about who would be at fault in the event that your luggage is lost, the carrier who last handled it is responsible. Also, keep in mind that the maximum liability for lost luggage under both airlines is the same, at $3,300.

 


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Our initial booking for the flight has been changed serveral times by the airline. We were originally flying into and out of Seattle which is certainly our preferred path. Once you have booked a flight, it seems you lose control over your reservations!
by mountainkid on Saturday, May 02, 2009
What the other commenters alluded to is correct: baggage restrictions follow the rules of the *operating* carrier of your first flight, regardless of who it was booked through or whether it's a codeshare.

If you want to avoid AA's baggage feed next time, make sure you fly Alaska on the return (you'll have to route through Seattle, though).
by jackal on Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Recently I flew to Portland ME on American Airlines. The last leg (and first of the return) was on US Airways. On the return, they charged me for my one bag even though I am elite on American. However, 2 weeks later I made the same trip with the last/first return legs being on United Express. Amazingly, they DID NOT charge me for my luggage on the return trip :-).
by BBRAB on Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Air Canada makes it clear on their web site that though they do NOT charge for the first two bags, even if you buy a ticket from them on a code share flight, the rules of the actual operator of the first leg of that day's flight are the rules that apply to the baggage fees.
by s on Monday, April 13, 2009
I booked a trip from Anchorage Des Moines with Alaska Airlines, including a leg from Chicago on American Eagle. Alaska Airlines does not charge for the first bag, but on the return trip, American did charge for that bag. From Alaska Airlines' website under Baggage Rules: "Passengers checking in with one of our airline partners, or on a codeshare flight may be subject to additional checked baggage restrictions. Please check with the operating carrier for more information regarding their baggage allowance and fees."
by Kwasilla on Tuesday, April 14, 2009
When you book Northwest Airlines to kauai you fly NWA to Honolulu then fly to Kauai on Hawaiian Airlines. Coming back you of course fly Hawaiian first. We had to pay for a 2nd bag on Hawaiian even though we were elite NWA members. Hawaiian said they were the originating carrier (Boarding carrier) and that their rules and not NWA applied.
by Rodney18 on Monday, April 13, 2009
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