American Airlines restricts agent rebookings onto codeshare flights

Codeshares are a contentious practice in the airline industry, where one airline sells a seat on another airline’s flight while presenting it as their own. For instance, a passenger might find themselves on an Air Canada plane with an Air Canada crew and check-in process, but holding a ticket labeled as a United Airlines flight. This occurs even if United Airlines does not operate between those cities.

The complexities of codeshare flights can lead to significant inconveniences for travelers. Sometimes, passengers cannot obtain seat assignments until they arrive at the airport because the flight number on their booking does not correspond to an actual flight. When issues arise, the codeshare arrangement introduces additional layers of bureaucracy between the passenger and the operating airline.

Airlines utilize codeshares to sell more seats across various flights. However, this practice often confuses both customers and the airlines' own systems. While airline alliances and joint ventures aim to streamline these processes, they frequently fall short in practical application.