Alliances and Partnerships

1. Will passengers be informed in advance if a flight segment in the itinerary is being operated by a partner airline?

Passengers are informed at the time of booking if a flight is operated by a partner airline on a certain segment. The operating airline is clearly mentioned in the itinerary and booking confirmation.

2. Can a passenger book a complete international itinerary involving only partner airlines?

Yes, a passenger can book a complete international itinerary involving only partner-operated flight segments, when the journey is available as a codeshare itinerary marketed by Air India.

For example, an itinerary such as Delhi – Addis Ababa – Johannesburg, operated by a partner airline (Ethiopian) and marketed under an Air India codeshare, can be booked on a single ticket. In such cases, Air India remains the ticketing airline, while the flights are operated by the partner carrier(s).

3. Are different types of special fares (such as Corporate, SME, Marine fares) applicable on codeshare or interline bookings?

Yes, special fare types such as Marine and Corporate fares are available on codeshare or interline bookings, subject to applicable fare rules and partner participation.

4. Are unaccompanied minors permitted to travel on interline or codeshare journeys? 

Unaccompanied minors are not permitted to travel on interline or codeshare journeys.

5. Are infant bookings permitted on interline or codeshare itineraries, and how can they be booked?

Yes, infant bookings are permitted on interline and codeshare itineraries. Infants are ticketed in line with standard industry practices, using the Infant (INF) passenger type. Infants must always travel with an accompanying adult, and the booking should ideally be made at the time of the original reservation. This helps ensure availability and a smoother travel experience. If needed, passengers may contact customer support for assistance with adding an infant to an existing booking.

6. Who should passengers contact for assistance during the journey?

Passengers should seek assistance from the ticketing carrier for issues related to booking support, ticket changes, refunds, and post travel queries. Operating carrier (which may or may not be the ticketing carrier) may only be contacted for queries during travel (e.g. lost or delayed baggage)

7. Will passengers need to clear immigration or security again when changing airlines?

This depends on the airport and country being transited. In some cases, immigration or security checks may be required based on local regulations, even when travelling on a single ticket. 

• International to Domestic connections: Passengers are generally required to clear immigration and customs at the first point of entry into the country. Example: A passenger travelling FRA-DEL-VNS will clear Indian immigration and customs at Delhi (DEL) before continuing on the domestic sector to Varanasi (VNS).
• International to International connections: Whether immigration or security checks are required depends on the transit country, airport procedures, passenger nationality, and transit visa rules. Example: A passenger travelling DEL – LHR – JFK may not clear UK immigration if remaining airside, but may still be subject to additional security screening at London Heathrow, depending on terminal and connection type.

Transit visa requirements: In some countries, passengers may require a transit visa even if they do not leave the airport. Example: Certain nationalities transiting through Europe or the UK may require a transit visa, even when travelling on a single through ticket. It is the passenger’s responsibility to check and ensure compliance with applicable transit visa and immigration requirements before ticketing and travel.

8. Are passengers protected if there is a disruption on a partner‑operated flight?

Yes. When travelling on a single ticket, passengers will be supported and reaccommodated in case of delays or cancellations, in line with applicable policies and availability. If the disruption occurs more than 72 hours before departure, the ticketing carrier will provide protection or an alternate flight option. If the disruption occurs within 72-hour of departure, the operating airline will reaccommodate the passenger on the best available connection. Passengers may also contact their ticketing carrier for support during disruptions. 

1. Can a passenger change/cancel their flight in an interline or codeshare booking?

Yes, a passenger can change/cancel their flight which has a partner airline segment and has a codeshare/ interline booking. However, the amount of refund and charges for cancellation/ change will be subject to  fare rules of the ticketing carrier.

2. How can passenger reschedule a flight? 

For voluntary rescheduling requests, passengers are required to contact the original booking source.

• If the booking was made directly with Air India, and you would like to reschedule your booking, you can do so through our manage booking on the Air India Website or by contacting the Air India customer support. Please note that Air India fare rules will apply for any changes made to your itinerary. For more details, you may also refer to Flight FAQs: Refunds, Cancellation, Rescheduling & more| Air India
• If the booking was made through a travel agent or third-party platform, the travel agent will need to process the change.

3. How do refunds work on tickets?

Refund will follow the Air India ticket and fare rules. Please refer Flight FAQs: Refunds, Cancellation, Rescheduling & more| Air India

4. What is the policy if a flight is cancelled or delayed?  

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, the next steps depend on when the disruption occurred:

• Before the operational window (More than 72 hours before Departure): Passenger will be offered the option to rebook on an alternate flight or passenger can request a refund, as per the applicable fare rules.
• During the operational window (Within 72 hours window before Departure): You will be accommodated on the next available flight by operating carrier or you can request a refund, as per the applicable fare rules. Here’s what it means for each situation:
  • Partner Segment Delayed or Cancelled (and you miss your next flight): If your first flight is of partner, and you miss your onward flight because of the delay then operating partner airline will accommodate you on the next available flight to complete your journey, OR you may choose a refund, if eligible.
  • Air India Segment Delayed or Cancelled (and this results in a missed onward connection on the same booking): If your first flight is Air India, and because of the delay you miss your onward flight then Air India will arrange to put you on the next available flight for the remaining journey, OR you may choose a refund, if eligible.
  • Partner Standalone Flight: If you are flying only on partner airline, and your flight is cancelled then you will be accommodated on the next available flight by operating partner airline, OR you may choose to take a refund, if eligible.

5. What happens in case of denied boarding?

If a passenger is denied boarding, the airline operating the flight will make the necessary arrangements to offer an alternate travel option, helping the passenger reach their final destination. Where applicable, compensation will also be provided by the operating airline, in line with its policies & local regulations, if any.

6. How can passengers check their flight status?

For Air India operated flights, flight status can be checked directly on the Air India website using the Air India flight number.

For flights operated by other partner airlines, passengers should check the status on the operating airline’s official website, using the flight number provided in the booking confirmation.

7. Is compensation provided if a passenger is rerouted or rebooked due to a disruption?

When disruptions occur, passengers are offered alternate travel options to help them reach their destination. If a passenger chooses not to accept the alternate option offered, they may request a refund for the unused portion of the journey and make their own travel arrangements. No additional compensation is applicable for rerouting or rebooking due to disruptions, beyond the alternate travel or refund options provided under the applicable fare rules.

1. Which baggage rules apply on interline or codeshare flights?

Baggage rules depend on whether the flight is a codeshare or interline journey:

• For codeshare flights: The Air India baggage policy applies, as Air India is the marketing and ticketing airline for the journey.
• For interline journeys: Baggage allowance is determined based on the Most Significant Carrier (MSC) rule. This is usually the airline operating the longest flight segment of the journey. Exception for travel to or from the USA and Canada: For these journeys, baggage rules are applied based on the airline operating the first flight segment, regardless of which carrier operates the longest sector.

Passengers are advised to review the baggage allowance shown on their ticket and booking confirmation before travel to understand the applicable rules for their specific itinerary.

2. Which airline’s baggage policy applies when a journey includes both codeshare and interline flights?

For journeys that include a mix of interline and codeshare flights, the applicable baggage policy is determined using the Most Significant Carrier (MSC) principle.

The baggage policy of the airline operating the longest flight segment (Most Significant Carrier) will apply for the entire journey.

• If the longest segment is a codeshare flight marketed by Air India, then the Air India baggage policy applies.
• If the longest segment is operated by another airline and not marketed by Air India, then the baggage policy of that operating airline will apply.

Passengers are advised to review the baggage allowance shown on their ticket or booking confirmation to understand the applicable policy for their journey.

3. Can extra baggage be purchased in advance on interline/codeshare itineraries? 

At present, extra baggage cannot be purchased in advance for interline/ codeshare journeys.

If a passenger is carrying baggage beyond the allowance included in the ticket, excess baggage charges will be collected at the departure airport, in line with the policy of the airline operating the first flight. The excess baggage charges paid at the departure airport will apply for the entire journey through to the final destination, including any onward sectors operated by partner airlines.

4. When must passengers collect and recheck bags (e.g., customs requirements)?

In most interline and partner airline connections, baggage is tagged through to the passenger’s final destination for convenience. However, in some international journeys, passengers may be required to collect and recheck their baggage at the first point of entry into the destination country, in line with local customs and immigration regulations. After completing the required formalities, baggage must be rechecked for the onward flight.

If no such requirements apply, passengers can collect their baggage only at the final destination.

5. Can a passenger prebook a seat on an interline or codeshare booking?

Seat prebooking is currently available only on select partner airlines for interline or codeshare bookings. At present, advance seat selection is supported only on flights operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, and EVA Air.

6. Will passengers get a meal during the journey?

Meal service on interlines or codeshare journeys depends on the airline operating each flight segment.

• Full‑service carriers (FSCs) generally include complimentary meals as part of the onboard service.
• Low‑cost carriers (LCCs) may not offer complimentary meals, and food may either be unavailable or available for purchase, depending on the airline’s policy.

Since meal offerings can vary by operating airline and flight type, passengers are encouraged to review the service details shown at the time of booking and check the operating airline’s service information to know what to expect on each segment of their journey.

7. In case of disruption and the passenger being accommodated on a different airline, which baggage allowance should apply?

In the event of a disruption where a passenger is rebooked on another airline, the baggage allowance will continue to be as per the allowance of the originally booked airline.

Handling of excess baggage will be as follows:

• If the passenger has already pre‑purchased excess baggage, the re‑accommodating airline will honour the same, subject to concurrence from the original (transferring) airline to settle the applicable charges.
• If excess baggage was not pre‑purchased, the passenger may be required to pay excess baggage charges directly to the new operating airline for any baggage carried beyond the original ticketed allowance.

8. Who is responsible for lost or delayed baggage in interline/codeshare scenarios?

In the event of lost or delayed baggage, the issue is handled by the airline operating the flight on which the baggage was last checked or carried.

1. Is through check‑in available for interline or partner airline journeys?

• For Baggage: Baggage is through checked with interline partners as per existing interline arrangements.
• For Passengers: Passenger through check in (boarding pass) is available with interline and codeshare partners where IATCI (Interline Agreement for Through Check In) has been enabled.

For partners where IATCI is not enabled, passengers may need to complete check in again at the transfer point.

2. Where can customers check in at the counter for interline or codeshare flights?

Through check‑in availability depends on the partner airline, the journey type, and local regulations:

• Baggage: On interline journeys, baggage is generally checked through to the final destination, in line with existing arrangements between airlines. However, for international travel, passengers may be required to collect and recheck their baggage at the first point of entry into a country, if mandated by local customs or immigration authorities.
• Boarding passes (passenger check‑in): Through check‑in for passengers, including the issuance of boarding passes for onward flights, is available on interline and codeshare journeys with partner airlines where IATCI is enabled.

3. Is web check in available for codeshare and interline flights?

Web check‑in is available for codeshare and interline journeys, based on the operating airline of the first flight in the direction of travel. Passengers should complete web check‑in on the website of the airline operating the first segment of their journey, in line with that airline’s check‑in policy. Web check‑in availability for onward segments may vary depending on the partner airline and system enablement.

Passengers are advised to review their booking details in advance and follow the check‑in instructions provided for their specific itinerary to ensure a smooth start to their journey.

4. What happens if a customer has booked connecting flights on two separate tickets?

If a customer is travelling on two separate tickets (i.e. the connecting flights are not booked on a single through ticket), check‑in and baggage handling will be restricted to the destination shown on each individual ticket. Air India will honour only the Air India ticketed sector. The customer’s boarding pass and baggage will be issued and checked only up to the Air India destination.

Example:
If a customer has booked Delhi – Frankfurt on Air India and Frankfurt – Helsinki on Finnair as two separate tickets, Air India will check in the customer and baggage only up to Frankfurt. The customer will be required to collect baggage, complete immigration/customs formalities, and check in again for the onward Finnair flight.

1. Can special service (like wheelchair) be requested on interline codeshare booking?

Yes. Customers can request general special services, such as wheelchair assistance (WCHR), in advance even when travelling on interline or codeshare flights operated by partner airlines. Most partner airlines generally accept these requests when they are added at the time of booking. However, the final confirmation and delivery of the service depend on the operating airline’s policies and availability, and assistance is provided by the operating airline at the airport.

1. Do passengers earn Maharaja Points on codeshare or interline itineraries?

Maharaja Points are earned only on Air India flights and eligible Star Alliance partner flights. Codeshare & Interline segment / flights with non Star Alliance airlines do not qualify for accrual of Maharaja Points. The number of points depends on your fare class and the partner airline’s accrual chart for Maharaja Club members, which you can find on the Air India website.

For the most accurate and updated information, always direct passengers to Earn Maharaja Points on Partner Flights | Air India

2. Can passengers use Maharaja Points for booking codeshare or interline journeys?

Maharaja Points can be redeemed only on Air India flights and eligible Star Alliance partner flights. Codeshare & Interline flights with non Star Alliance airlines are not eligible for redemption. For more details please refer Redeem Points with Our Partner Flights | Air India

3. Are Maharaja program tier benefits honoured on partner airlines (such as extra baggage, priority check‑in)?

Benefits such as extra baggage allowance, priority check‑in, priority boarding access are defined in the Star Alliance tier status. Maharaja Club Platinum & Gold members are mapped to Star Alliance Gold tier status and Maharaja Club Silver members are mapped to Star Alliance Silver tier. To know more about Star Alliance tier benefits, please visit Benefits and Privileges - Star Alliance

These benefits are not applicable on non‑Star Alliance interline or codeshare partners.

4. Is lounge access available when travelling on interline or codeshare partner flights?

• Yes. Lounge access is available across Star Alliance partner lounges, subject to Star Alliance lounge eligibility criteria.
  • Eligibility (Star Alliance Gold):
    • As a Star Alliance Gold member travelling on connecting partner flights (in any class) as part of an itinerary that includes at least one Star Alliance-operated flight, you may access:
    • Star Alliance member airline lounges
    • Connecting Partner lounges
    • Third-party contract lounges used by the Connecting Partner at the departure airport provided that:
    • You present a boarding pass for the Connecting Partner flight showing the Star Alliance Gold indicator, or
    • If the indicator is not shown, you present a valid Star Alliance Gold card (digital/physical) and proof of a same-day connecting itinerary with a Star Alliance member flight.
  • You are entitled to one eligible guest travelling on the same Connecting Partner flight as star alliance gold member.
• Access is subject to lounge capacity and local lounge policies.