The US Department of Transportation's Aviation Enforcement Office is cracking down on airlines and third-party ticketing sites that make it difficult for travellers to decipher who is really flying their aircraft.
Airlines and online ticket agents have been given 60 days to modify websites to make it clear which airline is operating the flight booked. Cde-sharing often means the airline a passenger books with is not always the airline operating the flight.
Longstanding DOT rules require airlines to disclose code-sharing arrangements to consumers before they book a flight, but legislation adopted in August, 2010 has also clarified the requirements for Internet websites that sell airline tickets.
"When passengers buy an airline ticket, they have the right to know which airline will be operating their flight," US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. "For years we've required airlines to inform consumers about code-sharing arrangements, and we'll be monitoring the industry closely to make sure they comply with the provisions of the new legislation.