What does this op by mean?
 

What does this mean??? Saw it listed under some of the MSP/DTW-LAX flights when I was searching nwa.com. It's listed in the middle under the flight number and cities. Thought maybe it had something to do with the dreaded D word, but they're 753 flights.

"Operated by D ONLINE CONNECTING TRAFFIC ONLY"

I've seen that a lot when I've been reviewing flight prices. From what I can decipher, it means the only way you can buy that ticket in that class is if you are connecting to it from another NW (or NW codeshared flight), or have a it is part of a NW itinerary on the outbound/inbound. Also, it looks like it only seems to appear when you select a departing flight (or arriving) and then you have the list of options after.

I just replicated it on an itinerary, FNT-DTW-ATL-IAH-LAS. It looks like the FNT-DTW & DTW-ATL flights are operated by NWA. The ATL-IAH is operated by ONNECTING TRAFFIC ONLY as flight 9183, an MD-88 (Delta) and the IAH-LAS flight is operated by ONNECTING TRAFFIC ONLY as flight 6495, a 757 (Continental). Seems like NWA doesn't want to tell you they are selling you a seat on a partner carrier. What I did find is that if I do a search from ATL-LAS, it does not offer me the option to buy flights 9183 and 6495. It DID offer me an option on Midwest Airlines... ONNECTING TRAFFIC ONLY again.

What's with dropping the C? I don't know if I answered your question, but my only suggestion is to look at the flight number, and then check the flight schedule to see who is operating it. (Also, when you actually select the flight that says ONNECTING TRAFFIC ONLY and start the purchase process, it tells you.

I know on code share flights they are not allowed to sell a direct flight into a hub, not sure about focus cities etc. Not sure if the airlines or the FAA made the rule.

See: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ic#post8318697

I had this on one of my itineraries last year.