What does it mean when a United flight is operated by Lufthansa?

A codeshare occurs when one airline markets a flight operated by another airline. This may mean that you buy a ticket from United Airlines to Munich with a stopover in Frankfurt. While the first leg of your flight is operated by United, the second leg is flown by Lufthansa.



Excellent question. This is a very common scenario in the airline industry known as a “codeshare” flight.

When your United ticket says “Operated by Lufthansa,” it means:

The Core Meaning:

You have purchased a ticket and flight number from United Airlines (UA), but the actual physical flight—the plane, the crew, the onboard service—will be provided by Lufthansa (LH).

Think of it like this: United is the “retailer” selling you the ticket, and Lufthansa is the “operator” providing the actual service.

Key Details and What to Expect:

1. Ticketing and Check-in: Booking: You likely booked through United’s website, app, or phone line, and you’ll have a United confirmation code (e.g., 6-character code like UAABCD). Check-in: You should check in with the operating carrier, Lufthansa, at the airport. You can usually also check in online or via the Lufthansa app using your United confirmation code or e-ticket number. Signs at the airport will direct you to Lufthansa’s counters. Boarding Pass: It will display both the United flight number (UAxxxx) and the Lufthansa flight number (LHxxxx).

2. The Flight Experience: Aircraft: You will fly on a Lufthansa plane (with Lufthansa livery and interior). Cabin Crew: The flight attendants and pilots are Lufthansa employees. Service & Amenities: You will receive L

People Also Ask

With a codeshare flight, the operating carrier is the airline that flies the plane, and the marketing carrier is the partner airline that sells seats on the operating carrier's flights. You can tell which carrier is operating your flight: Next to the flight number when you book the flight.

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Who do I check in with? You will complete your online or airport check-in with the operating airline. For example, if you're traveling on a flight marketed by United Airlines, but operated by Lufthansa Airlines, you'll check in with Lufthansa Airlines.

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In most cases, you'll receive your boarding pass for your connecting flight already when you check in for your first flight. This means you don't have to check in again for your next flight. If you haven't received it, you can go to the transfer desk or kiosk of the airline you're flying with to collect it.

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Not a problem with a stopover in the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge. First and Business Class passengers as well as status customers and United Airlines Global Services Card members can enjoy use of these lounge services provided that they have arrived in Frankfurt on a selected flight.

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You may be on a codeshare flight.
Only one carrier actually operates the flight, however the other airlines marketing the flight can all add their own unique flight number to the flight for marketing purposes. KLM and Delta are a good example of a close and successful codeshare arrangement.

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For domestic to domestic layovers, you normally won't have to go through security again during your layover. However, for all international layovers, you will normally have to go through security again, but this will depend on individual airport policy.

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While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A layover is the time you spend at the airport between two flights. A connecting flight is the next flight in your itinerary that you're waiting at the airport to take.

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The agent at check-in will usually ask if you want your luggage checked through to your last stop. You'll also receive boarding passes for both flights when you first check-in, so all you will need to do is find your gate at your connecting airport and your bags will automatically follow.

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MileagePlus members can earn award miles and Premier qualifying credits on eligible Lufthansa flights. To receive mileage credit, present your MileagePlus number when you make reservations and make sure that it appears on your boarding pass at check-in.

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As a founding member of Star Alliance, Lufthansa offers innumerable advantages in the world's biggest global network. Its regional strategy under the Lufthansa Regional brand connects Europe's regions with one another and with the world beyond.

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By default all connecting passengers have to go through security and plenty of airports do this for everyone regardless of where you come from (London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Doha (DOH), etc.)

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Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

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What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

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