When you book a flight with TAP Air Portugal, you might notice that your journey is “operated by” another airline. This means your ticket is part of a codeshare flight — a partnership between TAP and another carrier, one of TAP codeshare partners. Such partnerships offer more routes, flexibility, and convenience under a single ticket.
Codeshare flights are common in global air travel and offer great benefits, but they can also cause confusion when it comes to check-in, baggage policies, and compensation rights. Here’s everything you need to know about how TAP codeshare flights work.
Check your compensation online.
What Are Codeshare Flights?
A codeshare flight is a shared service between two or more airlines.
One airline sells tickets for a flight that’s operated by a partner airline.
For example, you might purchase a ticket with one airline under its flight code, but the aircraft, crew, and check-in process are managed by the operating carrier. Your booking reference and flight code belong to the marketing airline, while the flight itself is conducted by the operating airline.
Codeshare flights meaning refers to an agreement where two or more airlines share the same flight, allowing passengers to book tickets through different carriers for the same route.
Why Airlines Offer Codeshare Flights?
Codeshare agreements allow airlines to expand their network without operating additional aircraft.
This means TAP can offer flights to hundreds of destinations worldwide through its Star Alliance partners, including United Airlines, Swiss, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, and many others.
For passengers, this brings key advantages:
- Seamless travel connections between TAP and partner flights (Star Alliance codeshare partners).
- Single-ticket booking for multi-airline journeys.
- Checked baggage transferred through to the final destination (in most cases).
- Earning and redeeming Miles&Go points across partner airlines.
Flying With TAP Codeshare Partners
Who Is TAP Airlines Partners With?
TAP Air Portugal partners are:
- United Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Etihad, Emirates
- Turkish Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- ANA
- Lufthansa
- and more
TAP Portugal Codeshare: Who Do You Check In With?
If your flight is operated by a partner airline, you’ll need to check in directly with that airline — either online or at the airport.
If your first flight is operated by TAP but your connecting flight is with a partner airline, you can usually check in through the TAP website. However, if online check-in isn’t available for the connecting airline, you’ll need to complete check-in at the airport instead.
Baggage Rules on Codeshare Flights
One important detail to remember: baggage allowances may differ when flying with a TAP partner airline.
As a general rule, the operating airline’s baggage policy applies, especially for cabin baggage. That means if you’re flying TAP and then connecting with another carrier, you should always check both airlines’ baggage rules — since the most restrictive policy will apply for the entire journey.
You can find full details on baggage limits for each airline on their official websites.
Can You Check Your Luggage Through to Your Final Destination?
Yes — in most cases, your luggage can be checked through to your final destination on TAP codeshare flights, as long as all flights are on a single booking and the airlines involved have an interline agreement.
However, if you have separate tickets or are transferring between airlines that don’t have such an agreement, you’ll need to collect your bags and recheck them at the connecting airport.
Seat Selection and Onboard Experience
Your seat selection and onboard service depend on the operating airline, not the one that issued your ticket. Each airline has its own seat reservation system, cabin layout, and service standards.
If you’d like to choose a specific seat, it’s best to select it directly with the operating airline — either during online check-in or through their customer service channels. TAP can’t modify seat assignments for flights operated by partners.
Miles&Go and Star Alliance Benefits
One of the biggest advantages of TAP codeshare flights is that you can still earn and redeem Miles&Go miles when flying with TAP codeshare partners.
As a member of the Star Alliance, TAP allows passengers to collect miles across the entire network. Just remember to provide your TAP Miles&Go number when booking or checking in to ensure your miles are credited correctly.
Depending on your Miles&Go status, you can also enjoy Star Alliance benefits such as priority check-in, extra baggage, and lounge access — even when flying with another airline.
Check your compensation online.
Flight Disruptions, Care and Flight Compensation
If your codeshare flight is delayed, cancelled, or overbooked, your rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 still apply — but the operating airline is responsible for handling compensation or care.
If you bought your ticket through TAP, but the flight is operated by Lufthansa, you must submit your compensation claim to Lufthansa, not TAP.
Lufthansa also must provide assistance such as meals, accommodation, or compensation when eligible.
You can still contact TAP customer service for support, but any claim will be processed by the airline that operated the flight.
Read more: Right to Care
TAP Codeshare Partners Registered Outside the EU
Not all TAP codeshare partners are EU airlines. This means that not always compensation will be due.
If your flight is operated by a non-EU airline and departs from a country outside the EU, you’re not covered by EU261 and therefore not eligible for compensation — even if your destination is within the EU.
Example: If you fly from New York to Paris with United Airlines (a non-EU carrier), you wouldn’t be entitled to EU261 compensation for a delay or cancellation. However, if the same route were operated by Air France (an EU carrier), the regulation would apply.
| Flight Type | Covered by EU261? | Who’s Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| Departing from the EU (any airline) | ✅ Yes | Operating airline |
| Arriving in the EU on an EU-based airline (e.g. TAP, KLM, Air France) | ✅ Yes | Operating airline |
| Arriving in the EU on a non-EU airline (e.g. Singapore Airlines, ANA) | ❌ No | Not covered by EU261 |
Tips for Flying With TAP Codeshare Partners
- Check who operates your flight before traveling — it’s shown on your booking confirmation.
- Review baggage policies for both TAP and the partner airline.
- Keep your boarding passes and receipts in case of delays or compensation claims.
- Add your TAP Miles&Go number to earn miles for all eligible flights.
- Confirm lounge access and onboard benefits, as these can vary depending on the operating carrier and your fare class.
- Allow extra time for connections, especially when transferring between different airlines or terminals.
- Keep in mind that when flying with TAP’s non-EU partners, you may not always be entitled to compensation.
Flying on a TAP codeshare flight gives you the freedom to travel farther and more efficiently across the Star Alliance network. While your ticket might say TAP, your flight could be operated by one of the TAP codeshare partners.