United Airlines/U.S. Airways partners --"flight mixing"

[disneycrazed139]

I found this to be very confusing....I booked a United Airlines flight from MCO to Philadelphia and found out that it is actually a U.S. Airways flight. I don't care one way or another, as it seems that one uses the other's name to get more business.

Fine with me, but why do they have to have separate flight numbers? It is really confusing. If I was to check in at the terminal, I would really be taking a U.S. Airways flight and need to go to their counter and NOT to United's counter, which is the carrier I booked with.

Anyone else deal with these two? Any problems or did it go smoothly without a hitch or confusion?

 

[safetymom]

It is called code sharing. Many airlines have arrangements with other airlines.

I do this all the time. It isn't a problem and goes off without a hitch all the time. If you are a USAirways ff member you can use it to earn miles on UA flights also.

 

[SB in KY]

I did the same thing last fall...I booked our flight from Nashville to Orlando at a great price on United, and it was a US air flight. (which by the way, the exact same flight was $65/ticket more if booked through US Air...go figure)

It worked out fine. You just check in at US Air and they change the flight numbers for you.

 

[snoopy5386]

i flew one of these last year to orlando. price was higher with us airways than united so i booked through united. I also agree it was very confusing. I didn't know which terminal to go to at the airport (turns out it was us airways) also, the united website wouldnt let me check in online since it was a us airways flight. Very annoying. otherwise, all worked out fine.

 

[Vavasmon]

I fly UAL for business reasons a lot. The code share flights with US Air have existed since at least last spring. If the flight is noted as "operated by US Air" then you check-in etc. at US Air. If it is "also US Air xxx" then it is a United flight.

I earn my mileage plus FF miles on all of these flights (double dipping both UAL and US Air is not allowed). There is also usually a sign in the airport that states United flights XXXX - XXXX check in at US Airways. They also give elite FF status benefits to each other's elite members (if that is applicable in your case).

If you call United they should be able to tell you where to check in
at both airports.

I live in Northern Virginia - Dulles is a United Hub - US Air has a large presence out of National Airport.

You have nothing to worry about.

 

[disneycrazed139]

Thanks for all the information. So I am gathering then that I would check in at U.S. Air since that is who the flight is operated by.

 

[louise1928]

When I booked our flights on Expedia, I noticed the same thing in the itinerary, assuming I was flying with USAIR, however when I called Expedia about another matter, the customer service rep informed me then that it was a USAIR flight. Thank goodness she volunteered the info.........

 

[seashoreCM]

Every once in awhile people have reported difficulties making or keeping seat selections on these [code share] flights.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm