Code sharing (or flights operated under it called code-share flights) is a term often heard in domestic and international air travel. For example, Jetstar flight GK119 is code-shared with Japan Airlines (JAL) flight 6029, Qantas Airways flight 5009 from Australia, and American Airlines flight 9052 from the United States.
Some passengers who book through Jetstar may wonder, "Why is JAL showing up... and how are foreign airlines like Qantas and American Airlines involved?"
In reality, there are no cabin crew (CA) from American Airlines or Qantas Airways on this flight.
Actually, by understanding the code sharing system, you can learn tips on how to find cheaper airline tickets. This time, we will explain the tricks and usage methods of code-share flights.
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What is code sharing (joint operation), a term often heard when flying? Use it smartly to get cheap tickets!
Joint operation and code sharing are technically different
Code sharing is one form of joint operation. A code-share (flight) refers to a “flight operated using the partner airline’s aircraft.” In the example above, the aircraft used for Jetstar flight GK119 is also used for Japan Airlines (JAL) flight 6029, Qantas Airways flight 5009, and American Airlines flight 9052.
The crew and service on a code-share flight are basically those of the operating airline. For instance, Jetstar flight GK119 does not have JAL, Qantas Airways, or American Airlines crew on board. Additionally, the seats and services are those of Jetstar, and at Narita, it arrives and departs from Terminal 3.
As will be mentioned later with ANA (All Nippon Airways) and StarFlyer, the terminal may also change depending on the partner airline in the code share, so be careful.
In some joint operations, both airlines’ crew may be onboard. In the past, there were rare examples, such as the Aeroflot–Russian Airlines flight between Tokyo (then from Haneda, as Narita Airport hadn’t opened yet) and Moscow, which had crew from both Aeroflot and its partner JAL; or the Austrian Airlines flight between Tokyo (Narita) and Vienna, where both Austrian Airlines and its partner ANA had crew on board.
[Domestic Flights Edition] Code sharing in Japan’s domestic flights divided into JAL and ANA groups
Japan’s leading airlines are JAL (Japan Airlines) and ANA (All Nippon Airways). While there are many other airlines, those that code share are largely categorized under one of these two groups. Airlines that don’t code share with either—like Skymark, LCCs such as Peach Aviation, Spring Japan, or AirAsia Japan—are actually in the minority.
JAL has code-share agreements with group companies such as Japan Air System and Hokkaido Air System, as well as other airlines like Fuji Dream Airlines and Amakusa Airlines.
On the other hand, ANA has code-share agreements with airlines such as IBEX Airlines, Air Do, Solaseed Air, StarFlyer, and Oriental Air Bridge.
JAL and ANA are the code-sharing airlines, while the latter are the ones being code-shared with. On Skyticket, code-share flights are labeled as “operated by XX,” and if you purchase under the JAL or ANA flight name, you can earn miles with JAL or ANA. However, even when flying on the same aircraft, tickets under Air Do are often cheaper.
In-flight services are typically those of the operating airline, not JAL or ANA. For example, if you book a flight operated by StarFlyer under an ANA flight number, you’ll receive the same in-flight services as StarFlyer.
Even if booked as an ANA flight, flights operated by StarFlyer may use Terminal 1 at Haneda Airport, so that’s where you’ll need to go to board.
There are also cases where, for specific reasons, certain flights are not code-shared (e.g., some StarFlyer flights between Haneda and Kitakyushu or certain FDA flights).
So then, “What are the benefits of purchasing under the JAL or ANA flight number?”—this is often related to international flights.
Look at international flights to understand code sharing!
Why do airlines go through this seemingly complicated process?
Foreign airlines cannot operate domestic flights within Japan (Spring Japan is often perceived as Chinese, but due to foreign investment restrictions under aviation law, the parent company Spring Airlines owns no more than 33%).
The regulation that prevents foreign entities from entering domestic transport is known as the “cabotage regulation.” In maritime terms, this is why foreign-flagged cruise ships claiming to offer “round-Japan” cruises still make stops in foreign ports like Busan in South Korea or Korsakov in Russia.
Without code sharing, for example, if someone wants to travel from Nagoya (which currently has no direct flights to New York) to New York, they would need to independently get to Haneda or Narita via domestic flight or bullet train and then board an international flight, or they could fly to a hub like Seoul and transfer. Code-share flights solve this.
With code-share flights, it’s a given that the journey involves leaving or entering the country. This makes it possible to issue a single ticket for Nagoya → Narita → New York → Narita → Nagoya, making the transfer seamless.
Likewise, JAL and ANA also conduct code shares in places like the U.S. and South Korea, so you can buy a continuous JAL or ANA flight ticket from cities like Fukuoka or Sapporo, transferring through Tokyo, all the way to destinations throughout the U.S.
By expanding stay options through code sharing, it becomes a win-win for both passengers and airlines
Let’s say a Japanese airline “A” operates one round trip per day from Tokyo to a certain foreign city, and a foreign airline “B” also operates one round trip, as does airline “C.” This would mean there are three opportunities to fly between Tokyo and that city each day.
It’s standard to purchase round-trip tickets for international flights. Buying one-way tickets from Japan and from abroad separately is generally more expensive, except for some LCCs and a few specific airlines.
For example, if traveling round-trip with airline “A,” which departs Tokyo in the morning and departs the foreign city in the afternoon, you would need to head to the airport in Tokyo in the morning to fly with “A.” That can be a rush. Travelers from regional areas might even need to stay overnight beforehand.
On the other hand, airline “B,” a foreign carrier, departs the foreign city in the morning and returns from Tokyo in the afternoon. While you can head to the airport more leisurely, you may arrive late at night at your destination. Also, regional travelers may have to stay a night at Haneda or Narita…
In either case, both airline A and airline B flights have some drawbacks. However, increasing the frequency to two round trips would be a heavy burden on the airlines.
That’s where code sharing between A and B comes in—if they team up, the number of boarding opportunities increases to two. This allows for efficient use of time, such as flying out on airline A and returning on a code-shared flight with airline B. Also, since their mutual rival airline C only operates one round trip, A and B gain a competitive edge.
Furthermore, by placing passengers using B’s service on A’s domestic flights to Tokyo, and conversely placing A’s passengers on B’s domestic flights abroad, travel patterns in the foreign country can diversify, leading to increased customer acquisition.
On what basis do airlines form partnerships?
Airlines form groups known as alliances. There are three major alliances: JAL belongs to “oneworld,” ANA to “Star Alliance,” and although no other Japanese airlines are members, “SkyTeam,” which includes Delta Air Lines, is another major group.
Your partner airline depends on which alliance you belong to. For example, in the U.S., JAL partners with American Airlines (both oneworld), while ANA partners with United Airlines (both Star Alliance). Incidentally, SkyTeam includes Delta Air Lines.
Mileage programs are often mutually integrated, so it’s possible to redeem ANA miles for award tickets with United Airlines. However, there are limitations, such as being unable to redeem for a partner-operated code-share flight under your own airline’s flight number.
Even if there are many airlines, it doesn’t mean all three alliances are represented in every country. For instance, in Japan, SkyTeam has limited presence. Delta Air Lines, a SkyTeam member, used to operate many routes from Japan to third countries but has replaced these with code-share flights operated by Korean Air from Seoul.
However, there are cases where SkyTeam partners with oneworld members (like Korean Air with JAL), or where airlines form code-share partnerships without belonging to any of the three major alliances (like Emirates with JAL).
Know code-share flights to make your travels more convenient
While code-share flights can be inconvenient—such as operating from different terminals or offering different services from your airline—they can enable more efficient travel with shorter layovers if used wisely.
There are countless cheap airfares available, but by understanding these kinds of arrangements, you can enjoy a more pleasant vacation or productive business trip.
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