What is Rebooking on another airline?

Rebooking on another airline is transferring a ticket to a different carrier so the passenger reaches the destination sooner after disruption.

Also called: Endorsement, Flat-out rebooking.

How it works#

Technically it requires an interline agreement and the agreement of both airlines; without one it is impossible no matter how many seats are empty. In practice the outcome depends on how the airline applies its internal policy and how early the request is made. Knowing the airline’s own conditions of carriage allows a specific request rather than a vague one.

Not to be confused with#

Rebooking on another airline is not the same as buying a new ticket: with a new ticket the passenger pays, with rebooking the airline still carries the obligation.

In German#

The German term is Umbuchung auf eine andere Airline. German version of this term

Related terms#

• Re-routing: Re-routing is the airline’s obligation after disruption to get the passenger to the booked final destination, if necessary by another route.
• Interline agreement: An interline agreement is a contract between two airlines to accept each other’s tickets, transfer baggage and rebook passengers during disruption.
• Conditions of carriage: Conditions of carriage are an airline’s general contract terms, setting out the rights and duties of both sides for every ticket it sells.

Articles that use this term#

• When must an airline rebook you on a competitor?
• What do you do first when your flight is cancelled?
• What is a codeshare and why does it matter?