When booking a flight, most passengers assume the airline named on their ticket is the one responsible for their journey. In reality, that isn’t always the case. Many flights are sold by one airline but operated by another, which is why you may see the terms “operating carrier” or “operating airline” in your booking details.

These two phrases mean the same thing — they refer to the airline that actually flies the aircraft, provides the crew, and is responsible for the safe operation of the flight. Understanding who the operating airline is matters far more than most people realise, especially when it comes to delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and passenger compensation claims.

In this article, we explain what an operating carrier is, how it differs from the airline that sold you the ticket.

What Is an Operating Carrier?

An operating carrier is the airline that actually flies the plane.

In other words:

• It provides the aircraft
• Supplies the crew (pilots + cabin crew)
• Handles the day-to-day operation of the flight
• Is responsible for safety and operations
• Is responsible for paying EU261 compensation and providing care

This is different from the airline that might sell you the ticket.

Example:

You book a flight that says:

Emirates flight: EK3511. Operated by: airBaltic

• Emirates = marketing airline (their flight number, their brand)
• airBaltic = operating air carrier (their plane, their crew)

On the day of travel, you’re flying on airBaltic’s aircraft, not Emirates’s.

What Is a Marketing Airline?

A marketing airline/carrier is the airline that sells the flight, even if it does not actually operate it.

• It places its flight number on the booking (codeshare flight)
• It markets the flight under its brand
• It may issue the ticket and handle the booking
• It is not necessarily the airline flying the aircraft
• The flight is operated by another airline, known as the operating carrier / operating airline

Passengers will usually see this airline first when booking, which is why it’s often mistaken for the airline responsible for the flight.

Operating Carrier vs Marketing Airline

Operating carrier (operating airline) is the airline that actually flies the aircraft and is legally responsible for the flight and any disruptions.

Marketing airline is the airline that sells the ticket and markets the flight but does not necessarily operate it.

In short, the marketing airline sells the journey, while the operating carrier delivers it.

Area	Operating Carrier	Marketing Airline
Flies the aircraft	✅ Yes	❌ No
Provides crew	✅ Yes	❌ No
Flight safety	✅ Responsible	❌ Not responsible
Delays & cancellations	✅ Responsible	❌ Not responsible
Passenger compensation	✅ Responsible	❌ Not responsible
Ticket sales	❌ Usually no	✅ Yes

Who Is Responsible for EU261 Compensation?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004 (and its UK equivalent), responsibility for compensation and care lies with the operating air carrier.

The regulation defines the operating carrier as the airline that performs or intends to perform the flight using its own aircraft and crew, regardless of which airline sold the ticket. This means that in codeshare flights, the airline shown as “Operated by …” is legally responsible for delays, cancellations, denied boarding, and providing care.

If something goes wrong with your flight, claim against the airline that operated the flight, not the airline that marketed or sold it. This is why identifying the operating carrier / operating airline is so important when filing a compensation claim.

The operating airline is responsible in cases of:

• Long delays (at least 3 hours)
• Flight cancellations
• Denied boarding due to overbooking

If your flight is disrupted and it is due to the airline’s fault (not extraordinary circumstances), you may be entitled to EU flight compensation.

Which Airline Is Responsible for Care and Cancelled Flight Refunds Under Regulation EU261?

Under EU261, the right to care must be provided by the operating airline (operating carrier).

In addition to compensation, the operating airline must assist you during the disruption.

Passengers have a right to care, which applies while they are waiting for a delayed or cancelled flight.

Care rights include:

• Meals. Provided in reasonable relation to the waiting time (starting from 3 hour wait);
• Free hotel stay + transport to the hotel. When an overnight stay becomes necessary due to the flight disruption;
• Communication. Access to phone calls, emails, or the internet so you can make arrangements.

If your flight is cancelled, you are also entitled to choose between a full refund of the ticket price or re-routing on an alternative flight.

Importantly, the right to care and the right to a refund or re-routing apply even when you are not entitled to compensation. These rights apply regardless of the cause of the disruption and are available to passengers in most disruption scenarios.

How to Identify the Operating Carrier Before You Fly?

During the booking process, airlines and travel websites are required to clearly disclose the operating carrier. This information is often shown:

• below the flight details
• in smaller text near the flight number
• in a dropdown or “flight details” section

Passengers often miss this because the marketing airline’s brand is displayed more prominently.

The most reliable way to identify the operating carrier is the line that says:

“Operated by [airline name]”

This notice tells you exactly which airline will fly the aircraft and provide the crew, even if another airline sold the ticket or appears in the flight number.

You can also find the operating carrier:

• on your e-ticket confirmation email
• on the boarding pass (paper or mobile)
• in the flight details section of the airline’s app

Look for:

• the airline name next to “operated by”
• the aircraft type and logo, which often match the operating airline

Knowing the operating carrier before you fly helps you identify which airline is responsible for flight disruptions and who must provide care and assistance at the airport

Featured photo by Pham Huynh Tuan Vy from Pexels