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Code-Share Flights for International Travel

When obtaining airline tickets for International travel it is not uncommon to have travel agencies talk about code-shared flights. Code-shared flights are bilateral arrangements between U. S. Flag Carriers and Foreign Flag Carriers where either carrier can lease space on the aircraft owned by the other.

When buying airline tickets with Federal funds for code-shared flights the ticket, or documentation for an electronic ticket, must be issued by the U. S. Flag Carrier and identify the U. S. Flag Carrier designator code and flight number. If this documentation were not provided the ticket could not be reimbursed on Federal funds as it would be in violation of the Fly America Act. This ruling was issued by the Comptroller General of the United States on September 25, 1991 in answer to a question on the use of code-shared flights submitted by the Assistant Secretary of State for Administration.

Caution in making arrangements for international travel is warranted when purchasing airline tickets with Federal funds.