Ah, the perils of airline codesharing! That’s the questionable but widespread practice of claiming another airline’s flight is yours. And it doesn’t always benefit the passenger, as Brad Albing will tell you.
CODESHARE
Codesharing, or allowing multiple airlines to sell tickets on the same flight as if it were their own, can lead to a lot of confusion. And it’s more than just a matter of, “What flight am I on?”
Kathleen Pierz is one happy Continental Airlines customer this morning. After a series of misunderstandings involving Delta Air Lines’ codesharing agreement with Continental, she’s been shown the ultimate courtesy. Delta might have another word for it, though. Here’s the situation: Last fall, Pierz booked a codeshare flight through Delta on Orbitz. When she checked in, [...]
Llouellynde Orahood’s flight from Los Angeles to Dallas has all the makings of a trip from hell, including weather delays, cancellations and almost-missed flights. What could be worse? Having to pay again for the same tickets. Now, neither the airlines nor her online travel agency is willing to help her recover the money she should have never had to spend. Is there any hope for a refund?
Airlines are really getting carried away with these luggage fees. Last week, I noted that carriers are effectively demanding a ransom in exchange for transporting our personal property. I suggested they might try being more upfront about their fares.
The Transportation Department has fined three airlines for consumer rule violations, signaling a new “get-tough” approach to the airline industry, if not in practice, then at least in principle.
In a surprise move, the Department of Transportation has fined two airlines for failing to disclose codesharing flights and disregarding their denied-boarding rules. United Airlines faces $80,000 in penalties for neglecting to inform travelers that certain flights were operated by another airline. And Delta Air Lines is being fined $375,000 for bumping passengers from its flights without compensation.
Air travel sure can be a confusing experience. Just ask Patricia Lapadula, who recently bought a ticket on United Airlines through Cheaptickets.com. At least that’s what she thought.
Elliott is consumer advocate 
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