JORBUST

My first question has to do with Delta codeshares on China Airlines. We often fly to Taipei but sometimes would like to go another routing besides Nashville-Atlanta-Tokyo-Taipei all on Delta.

Delta codeshares with China Airlines on LAX-TPE but this doesn't seem to be bookable unless you are booking it as a nonstop. Even with good connection times I can't get Delta, Orbitz, Expedia, etc. to offer BNA-ATL-LAX-TPE even if I try to multi city book it.

Are codeshares sometimes limited on the routing?

My second question has to do with what interline ticketing really is and how you do it. Does this require a travel agent? For example if I wanted to book BNA-ATL-LAX on Delta and LAX-TPE on EVA, how or is this book able? I can't get any online booking agent to show this as an option, but the airlines claim to interline with each other. If this is possible with a travel agent, anyone have any suggestions?

In my fantasy world I would love to be able to book any Sky Team flight (Talking about China Airlines not EVA) on the same ticket.

Obviously these concerns are about baggage transfers and protecting in case of delayed/cancelled flights.

3Cforme

Check fare rules for BNA-TPE. Maybe DL's (cheapest) thru-fares don't permit the CI LAX-TPE segment. One can pull up fare rules for proposed itineraries on ITA Matrix.

I would be surprised if Orbitz couldn't book the multi-city routing you suggest but if that yields a broken fare (like BNA-LAX + LAX-TPE) the price may not appeal to you.

kop84

Code Share agreements also typically only extend to certain markets, not a blanket everything both airlines have.

nichojo

Faced the same problem with an award ticket although all it took was a call to the DM to get it booked.

Saw DPS-TPE availability and TPE-LAX-ATL availability but not all as one, they hacked it all together with no issue.

MSPeconomist

Sometimes more routings appear if you do an advanced search (multicity or not) on delta.dumb by fare class and go up the fare class hierarchy. If what you want doesn't appear when you ask for V or higher, first try Y or higher and then experiment with intermediate fare classes to find the lowest fare that permits the routing.

JORBUST

I was also surprised but that's the case, neither of my scenarios seem bookable on Orbitz, Delta, Expedia, or even show up as an option on ITA.

MSPeconomist

Then you need to find a good real live human TA.

3Cforme

Multi-city as BNA-ATL, ATL-LAX, and LAX-TPE (all DL-coded) works on Orbitz. (Try 2/17 as a travel date, one way, departing BNA in morning, ATL in afternoon, and LAX in evening.) Select DL as preferred carrier, and non-stops. You won't like the price. BNA-LAX-TPE is also shown.

JORBUST

Interesting! Thanks for that! It seems to only work if you do multi-city one-way, which I never did before, I always did it round-trip (BNA-ATL-LAX-TPE-LAX-ATL-BNA). That doesn't work. You're right, the price is ridiculous. Thanks though!

JORBUST

I gave this a try with no luck, I'll call a TA like you suggested. Thanks!

Vuelos

It's likely a Minimum connect time DL -> CI (or vice/versa) that's causing your problem.

Try to book VS -> AF @ LHR and see if DL will ticket it for you these days :/

JORBUST

I *think* it's just Delta forcefully routing people through ATL-NRT and onward for Asian connections to support the hub there.

GRALISTAIR

Unusual. Some of my most interesting airline routings have come from Expedia.