Glossary
Definition: An interline agreement is an arrangement between two or more airlines to handle passengers travelling on itineraries that involve flights on multiple carriers, including through-checked baggage and coordinated rebooking during disruptions.
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Term at a glance
| Term | Interline |
|---|---|
| One-liner | An interline agreement is an arrangement between two or more airlines to handle passengers travelling on itineraries that involve flights on multiple carriers, including… |
| Where it matters | Premium-cabin booking decisions, fare-rules interpretation, airline-product comparison. |
| Related concepts | Codeshare · Through-Checked Baggage · Open Jaw · Stopover · PNR |
| Last verified | 2026-05-07 |
Interline agreements are more basic than codeshare partnerships. They allow airlines to issue tickets that include segments on partner airlines, check baggage through to the final destination across different carriers, and rebook passengers on partner airlines during irregular operations (delays, cancellations).
Without an interline agreement, passengers connecting between two airlines would need to collect and recheck their baggage, clear immigration and customs (if international), and purchase separate tickets for each airline. This makes connections risky and time-consuming.
For business class travellers, interline agreements ensure a smooth connection experience. Your checked bags transfer automatically, and if your first flight is delayed, the partner airline can rebook you. BookMyBusinessClass agents build complex itineraries using interline agreements to create optimal routings that save money while maintaining seamless connections.
In booking practice
At a Glance
| Term | Quick definition | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) | In-flight entertainment (IFE) is the onboard system providing movies, TV shows, music, games, and other media… | Read |
| Jet Lag | Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder caused by rapid travel across multiple time zones, resulting in… | Read |
| IATA | IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the global trade association for airlines, representing… | Read |
| Joint Business (JB) / Joint Venture (JV) | A deeper commercial arrangement than codeshare alone, where partner airlines coordinate scheduling, capacity,… | Read |
| Hub-and-Spoke Network | An airline route network model where most flights connect through a small number of major hub airports rather… | Read |
| Joint Venture (Airline JV) | A formal commercial agreement between airlines (often within an alliance) to coordinate schedules, share… | Read |
Related Terms
In-flight entertainment (IFE) is the onboard system providing movies, TV shows, music, games, and other media to passengers, typically via personal seatback screens in premium cabins with noise-cancelling headphones.
Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder caused by rapid travel across multiple time zones, resulting in fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and digestive issues as your body’s circadian rhythm adjusts to the new time zone.
IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the global trade association for airlines, representing approximately 300 airlines comprising 83% of total air traffic. IATA sets industry standards for ticketing, safety, and operations.
A deeper commercial arrangement than codeshare alone, where partner airlines coordinate scheduling, capacity, and revenue on a corridor under regulatory antitrust immunity. The major transatlantic Joint Businesses (oneworld AA-BA-IB-AY-EI, SkyTeam DL-AF-KL-VS, Star Alliance UA-LH-AC) are the principal commercial structures shaping premium-cabin booking on those corridors.
An airline route network model where most flights connect through a small number of major hub airports rather than flying point-to-point between every city pair. Used by virtually every major international carrier — enables high-frequency connectivity, premium-cabin viability, and economic efficiency.
A formal commercial agreement between airlines (often within an alliance) to coordinate schedules, share revenue, and operate as a single network on specific transcontinental corridors. JVs typically receive antitrust immunity from regulators, allowing deeper coordination than standard codeshare partnerships.
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