Bags, meals and TV: On codeshare flights, which airline’s rules apply?

Taking a codeshare flight? Or maybe you’ve booked a flight ticket using Qantas or Velocity points but flying aboard partner airlines? Whose baggage allowance applies? It’s an issue that can cause problems at the check-in counter, and even the staff on the desk don’t always know the rules.

If you book with Qantas, but the flight is operated by Jetstar, do you still get checked luggage and meals included?Credit: Adobe Stock

Checked baggage allowance on codeshare flights

The checked baggage allowance of the carrier whose flight number is on the ticket will generally apply. If you’re flying on a codeshare flight with a Qantas flight number, you are entitled to Qantas’ checked baggage allowance. There are exceptions, however. If you’re travelling on a multi-sector flight, it’s the baggage allowance of the most significant carrier that usually applies. Under International Air Transport Association guidelines, the most significant carrier is the first carrier on a booking.

Flights to or from the US and Canada

These North American countries have their own regulations governing flights that involve different airlines. If the origin or destination on the ticket is the US or Canada, the airline operating the first flight will select the baggage provisions that will apply across all flights on the ticket. But if the first flight on the ticket is a codeshare flight where the booking was made with an airline different from the one operating the flight, the baggage allowance of the marketing airline applies, not the one operating the flight.

International partner-airline flights booked using points, or points + pay

In this case, the checked baggage allowance of the partner airline operating the international flight segments on the ticket will usually apply to the full trip. On an Emirates flight booked with Qantas points, passengers are entitled to the Emirates baggage allowance.

What if you have a Qantas booking number but are travelling on Jetstar?

Jetstar has its own checked baggage allowance (which you have to pay a fee for), but for passengers travelling on a flight marketed as Qantas and with a Qantas flight number but operated by Jetstar, the Qantas checked baggage allowance applies. The additional checked baggage allowances that apply to Qantas frequent flyers and club members do not extend to Jetstar-operated flights except for those booked in business class on international flights.

Baggage transfers between Qantas and Jetstar become complicated when they involve connecting flights. If you’re travelling on a Qantas domestic flight and connecting with a Jetstar domestic flight, or vice versa, Jetstar does not transfer bags on domestic services. Therefore, you need to collect your bags and check in for the connecting flight. If you’re transferring from a Qantas domestic or international flight to a Jetstar international flight, you can usually check yourself and your baggage through, but not if it’s from Jetstar domestic to either a Jetstar or Qantas international flight.

If I’m booked with Qantas but flying Jetstar, do I get a meal?

Entitlement to in-flight service is also complicated, and it usually depends on the route. For those booked with Qantas on a flight operated by Jetstar, if it’s a domestic flight or a trans-Tasman flight there will be no free food and beverage service. Items must be bought, as is the case for any passenger flying on a Jetstar ticket. But if it’s a Darwin-to-Singapore service, then a meal pack and a blanket and neck support are provided. For passengers who booked a Qantas award seat but are flying Jetstar, food, beverages and entertainment are not included except for those travelling business class on international flights.