Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Global Airline Alliances > Star Alliance
Reload this Page >

single codeshare flight numbers

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

single codeshare flight numbers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 2, 2011 | 10:10 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum, ex-UA 1P
Posts: 228
single codeshare flight numbers

Just a late night random thought.. Instead of multiple codeshare flight numbers for a single flight (eg, UA 852 aka CO 6010 aka NH 7012 aka TG 5604 aka US 6514), why don't they assign single *A identifiers, eg *A 9876 for common use by all *A carriers that codeshare on the flight. Reprogramming systems would presumably be required but it might clear up confusion for travellers and simplify departure boards to boot....
nycflyer is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 4:19 am
  #2  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Originally Posted by nycflyer
Just a late night random thought.. Instead of multiple codeshare flight numbers for a single flight (eg, UA 852 aka CO 6010 aka NH 7012 aka TG 5604 aka US 6514), why don't they assign single *A identifiers, eg *A 9876 for common use by all *A carriers that codeshare on the flight. Reprogramming systems would presumably be required but it might clear up confusion for travellers and simplify departure boards to boot....
*A is not an airline. It's a trade association. Turning codeshare flights into *A flights would be even more confusing: "where do a i check-in for my *A flight?", "why doesn't my upgrade go through on *A flight?"
UAPremExecflyer is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 5:53 am
  #3  
50 Countries Visited
3M
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,697
Actually what would be best is that even when marketed as a code-share, all tickets
and itineraries should just show the operating carriers flight number.

Or alternatively ( although it would necessitate 5 or 6 digit flight numbers) use only a
single flight number for all code share partners: i.e. AC 100 = UA 100 = LH 100 = TG 100.
IluvSQ is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 6:40 am
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum, ex-UA 1P
Posts: 228
Exactly... the last three or four digits could be the same as the original flight number. You would still need to know the operating carrier, as the second poster notes, but with co-location and common check-in desks even that is becoming less relevant.

There could be one bucket of six digit numbers reserved for common *A use, eg

UA 852 = CO 110852 = NH 110852 = TG 110852 = US 110852 = *A 110852

The identifier is just that - an identifier. The actual flight number and airline are the original.

Last edited by nycflyer; Jun 3, 2011 at 6:41 am Reason: clarification
nycflyer is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 7:12 am
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pune, India
Programs: United MilagePlus Premier Gold, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 29
KL an NW would do that. I miss NW.
tejasjog is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 12:52 pm
  #6  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,810
Originally Posted by nycflyer
....There could be one bucket of six digit numbers reserved for common *A use, eg

UA 852 = CO 110852 = NH 110852 = TG 110852 = US 110852 = *A 110852.....
Many GDS and airlines systems can only accommodate 4-digit flight numbers. This will require massive amount of system upgrades across GDS and all airlines worldwide, not just *A as other airlines can interline to *A too. Tickets need to be redesigned too as current ATB only allows 4-digit. Yes, paper tickets still exist in parts of this world. The trouble with changing airlines systems is that it needs to be uniform worldwide for interlining.

It will be simpler to outlaw codeshares. I think codeshares are one of the biggest scams in the world with few benefits to customers.

Last edited by TerryK; Jun 3, 2011 at 4:23 pm
TerryK is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 1:07 pm
  #7  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,810
Originally Posted by tejasjog
KL an NW would do that. I miss NW.
KL and NW did that with 4-digit flight numbers.@:-)
TerryK is offline  
Old Jun 3, 2011 | 4:01 pm
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum, ex-UA 1P
Posts: 228
Originally Posted by TerryK
Many GDS and airlines systems can only accommodate 4-digit flight numbers. This will require massive amount of system upgrades across GDS and all airlines worldwide, not just *A as other airlines can interline to *A too. Tickets need to be redesigned too as current ATB only allows 4-digit. Yes, paper tickets still exist in parts of this world. The trouble with changing airlines systems is that it needs to be uniform worldwide for interlining.
Thanks...makes sense. I guess practically speaking one would be forced to use a block of 4 digit numbers eg 8xxx-9xxx though even that might require a lot of coordination among member airlines.

Agree that codeshares should go away
nycflyer is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.