Code share logic
 

Our KLM flight this summer goes from AMS to Nairobi and carries a NW code share flight number. The return flight, which is simply the turnaround...same aircraft back to AMS is KLM designated only.

It's the only part of our long itinerary that doesn't have a NW flight number and as you can't rulebust on KLM it has caused us no end of grief. A supervisor ultimately intervened, but I'm curious why the flight outbound would code share, but wouldn't on the return.

It doesn't make any sense since the NW codeshare flight # from NBO to AMS is NW8566.

It's also possible to fly from NBO to AMS on Kenya Airways. Are you sure you're flying on KLM and not Kenya?

Doglover makes a good point. Make sure you are on the KLM metal and not one of KLM codeshare partners. I thought that ALL KLM flights were NW coded and I thought that all NW flights were KLM coded. This does not apply to all partners for instance DL where only some are coded, but I thought KLM/NW coded on all flights of both carriers.

I don't think that all NW flights are KL coded. From what I can gather, only those which constitute a reasonable connection to/from a transatlantic flights are.

very true, KL flights Canada-Amsterdam are KLM only.

Has anyone ever had a KL flight without a NW codeshare # show up on NWA.COM?

I'm not talking about the case where nwa.com shows you the KL flight #, even if a NW flight # is available.

For example has anyone ever seen YVR->AMS show up on NWA.COM?

LHR-AMS KL1008 doesn't have a NW flight number. I think that's NW isn't allowed to sell tickets LHR-United States.

NW can sell KL1008/1009. One can earn NW miles as long as one flies on a KL operated flight.

$914.88 airfare Northwest Airlines 5864
operated by
PINNACLE AIRLINES JET/NW AIRLINK
Booking Class(es): V
Fare Basis Codes: VE7NR
Ticket Designators:
Tue, Feb 24 1hr 39min
11:18am Depart Knoxville (TYS)
12:57pm Arrive Detroit (DTW)
Plane Change
Northwest Airlines 40
Booking Class(es): Q
Fare Basis Codes: QLXANGB
Ticket Designators:
Tue, Feb 24 7hr 45min
4:10pm Depart Detroit (DTW)
5:55am Arrive Amsterdam (AMS)
Plane Change
KLM 1009
Booking Class(es): Q
Fare Basis Codes: QLXANGB
Ticket Designators: Wed, Feb 25 1hr 25min
10:25am Depart Amsterdam (AMS)
10:50am Arrive London (LHR)


KLM 1008
Booking Class(es): Q
Fare Basis Codes: QLXANGB
Ticket Designators: Tue, Mar 2 1hr 25min
10:00am Depart London (LHR)
12:25pm Arrive Amsterdam (AMS)
Plane Change
Northwest Airlines 53
Booking Class(es): Q
Fare Basis Codes: QLXANGB
Ticket Designators: Tue, Mar 2 8hr 50min
2:25pm Depart Amsterdam (AMS)
5:15pm Arrive Detroit (DTW)
Plane Change
Northwest Airlines 5887
operated by
PINNACLE AIRLINES JET/NW AIRLINK
Booking Class(es): V
Fare Basis Codes: VE7NR
Ticket Designators: Tue, Mar 2

I experiemented some. If I use wpaa lister or the japanese nw awards site (Sabre) I can search for KLM awards on routes such as YVR->AMS

However, if I use NWA.COM these routes never come up... even if I select by flight on dates that the japanese site shows as available.

Lesson learned... if you want to route yourself to Europe via a Canadian gateway... use wpaa lister or the japanese nwa site to check for availability.



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doglover

Yes, true. I've even flown that route twice. But, I still think there must be some reason why there's no NW code on that flight (available as KL only.) Anyone know why?

Perhaps it isn't commonly flown by NW pax originating in the states as NW operates non-stops into LGW. Perhaps it doesn't carry the NW code because only AA & UA are the only US carriers allowed to operate into Heathrow. If KL picked up the NW codeshare into LHR, perhaps it would create problems. I know other US carriers would like to tap into the LHR market, but at this time they're not able to.

The above is just a guess, but I've never had any problems purchasing / flying / earning mileage on KL flights regardless of how it is coded.

Same with other partner airlines, CO, DL, UX, etc. (ok, with UX - Air Europa - I did have to fax my BP and copy of ticket in as that never posted automatically - as the partnership was new at the time, it didn't surprise me).

Best,

SDF_Traveler

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