KLM Codeshares
 

Apologies if this is a well worn subject. I was scanning Skyscanner (see what I did there) for trips from ORK-MLA and it popped up with

Outbound Sun, 18 Mar 2018
KLM
06:00 ORK 7h 25
1 stop AMS
14:25 MLA
Operated by Aer Lingus, Air Malta

Return Sun, 25 Mar 2018
KLM
07:40MLA 15h
1 stop AMS
21:40 ORK
Operated by Air Malta, Aer Lingus

Now quite apart from that horrible layover in AMS on the way back, when I actually go to the KLM site to check prices, etc, it can't find anything from ORK-MLA, just AMS-MLA. So is Skyscanner lying to me, and the ORK-AMS flight is not actually a KLM codeshare? If I do a global search on KLM, it tells me flights to/from ORK will 'start' on 28th May, but there's a codeshare flight departing ORK at 1650 tonight:

Amsterdam Aer Lingus KL3172 14 Feb 16:50

I can only assume I'm doing something wrong cos computer don't make mistakes, but what is it?! Note that I can't book this flight with EI nor Air Malta either, so who would sell it to me?

If you look this itinerary up on google flights, it says to call KLM.

ORK-AMs is most definitely a KLM codeshare, and has been since 2001. I have only taken that route 49 times over the years :)

However, given that KL dropped their codeshares on all EI flights on the DUB-AMS route after KL re-started flights on that route after an absence of several decades, the fact that AF starts CDG-ORK-CDG service - initially only as a summer seasonal service, starting on May 25 - could mean that this codeshare will eventually come to an end.

AMS-MLA is not operated by KLM either - it's only operated by Air Malta (KM). It probably explains why KLM doesn't want to sell this route - none of the flights are actually on KL metal.

Any decent travel agent should be able to sell you this. Here is Tripair.ie's price:

Be aware that if you depart from DUB, and can leave on the Saturday 17 rather than Sunday 18, you can book with Ryanair, direct flights, for €178 (no bags included - but the so-called "KLM ticket" also doesn't include bags.)

Tks irishguy, I think I'm just going to take the simple ORK-LHR-MLA route on EI/KM. It's separate PNRs, but the timing works better than other options I've seen.

AMS-ORK KL/EI codeshares available up until late December, after that nothing is available. Probably delays in re-negotiating codeshare agreement, much like last year.

AF CDG-ORK service is great but mainly aimed at French tourist traffic. Has some minor potential for connecting traffic outbound to Asia from ORK in the evening but definitely doesn't work outbound for TATL. Inbound connection from TATL is doable but with a long layover.

Would KL give up the codeshare? Not sure, the early morning flight brings a lot of connecting pax, it's standing room only most mornings.