United and Delta Have a Partnership??

[Bill From PA]

I've been tracking airfare on Orbitz around the 10 days in March 2006 when we leave on our next trip. This Fri. the rates for 'our week' come out and I'm inclined to jump on them because I think fuel costs will impact fares as this year goes on. I've been seeing something on Orbitz that's new to me, flights to MCO from PHL on USAir and the return on United. Folks here tell me that these two carriers have a code sharing deal which explains this issue. Today, Orbitz shows the same thing between United and Delta. Here's the search I did for our days of travel, only two weeks before our actual trip as that's beyong 330 days:

Leave
Thu, Feb 16 United Airlines 2558
operated by US Airways -- US 0987
Depart: 7:55am
Arrive: 10:34am

Non-stop Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
Orlando, FL (MCO)

Economy | 2hr 39min | Boeing 757 | View seats
Choose departure

Return
Sun, Feb 26 Delta Air Lines 1512
Depart: 7:02am
Arrive: 8:41am

1 stop Orlando, FL (MCO)
Atlanta, GA (ATL)

Economy | 1hr 39min | Boeing 767 | View seats

Change planes. Time between flights: 0hr 59min

Delta Air Lines 1258
Depart: 9:40am
Arrive: 11:44am
Atlanta, GA (ATL)
Philadelphia, PA (PHL)

Economy | 2hr 4min | Boeing Douglas MD-80 | View seats
Total duration: 4hr 42min


I'm leary of booking this, even though it's a great rate. I assume if I use Orbitz and print my confirmation that they're obligated to get me those flights at that rate, but I don't need a hassle during my vacation. Can anyone explain this multiple carrier deal?

Bill From PA

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Folks here tell me that these two carriers have a code sharing deal which explains this issue. Today, Orbitz shows the same thing between United and Delta.

United and US Airways have a code sharing agreement. You can tell it's a codeshare when a flight has a flight number from one airline (such as United), but then there's fine print saying the flight is actually operated by another airline (such as US Airways).

That's not the case with United and Delta.

During the past six months or so, airlines have simplified their fare structures on many Florida routes. These changes involve eliminating the Saturday-night stay requirement for most discount fares and offering reasonable one-way fares (unlike typical domestic one-way fares which are usually higher than discounted roundtrips).

So, my guess is that the Orbitz computer simply put together two reasonably priced one-way flights on different airlines.

The only risk in buying such an itinerary is that you're now at the mercy of the financial woes of two different airlines. If one airline eliminates the route or goes under, you'll need to get a new one-way flight -- and, by that time, there's no guarantee that the airlines will still be offering reasonable one-way fares.

 

[Bill From PA]

Quote: 'The only risk in buying such an itinerary is that you're now at the mercy of the financial woes of two different airlines.'

Good point. I sweated bullets over our USAir flight on New Year's Day which connected through PHL after their baggage disaster on Christmas and the prospect of them going under was there for our return flight also. I usually play Airfare Roulette and hold out until about 3 months out, and I've had success getting rates at their low. This time I'm going to hop on any non-stop to MCO under $200 and I've got until Fri. to scout out the best deal. Thanks for the input.

Bill From PA

 

[Caropooh]

basically what you are doing is buying 2 one way tickets on different carriers. Delta and United used to have a partnership for at least using frequent flyer miles, but that was discontinued in the fall of '03.