How to check alliance lounge access on codeshares

Why does the operating carrier decide lounge access on a codeshare?

A codeshare pairs one airline's flight number with another airline's aircraft — the marketing carrier and the operating carrier — and both alliances frame eligibility around the carrier that flies the segment. [5] [3] Star Alliance states that a traveller must always be departing on a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline to access a Star Alliance or Star Alliance member airline lounge at the departure airport. [5] SkyTeam describes Elite Plus access in terms of a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline, and its guest rule in terms of the same SkyTeam member-operated flight. [3]

The status tier you hold is the other half of the test, and the two alliances describe it differently. Star Alliance Gold customers have access to Star Alliance lounges when travelling on a Star Alliance flight in any class of travel, while Star Alliance Silver customers do not have access to Star Alliance lounges. [5] International First and Business Class customers have Star Alliance lounge access when travelling in First and Business. [5] On SkyTeam, Elite Plus members have access regardless of travel class, and First and Business Class customers have access when the itinerary meets the same operating-carrier condition. [3]

SkyTeam adds a requirement for connecting itineraries booked in a premium cabin: both the domestic and international flights must be operated by a SkyTeam member airline, and all segments need to be booked in First or Business Class. [3] SkyTeam also notes that lounge access may vary by airline. [3]

Where can you use an alliance lounge on a codeshare itinerary?

At the departure airport and, on a connection, at the transfer airport — not at your destination. [3] [5] SkyTeam says access is provided at departure and transfer airports only and not on arrival, and Elite Plus customers connecting between two SkyTeam-operated flights keep access at the point of transfer. [3] Star Alliance's lounge finder covers departure lounges only, and arrival lounge access is not a Star Alliance benefit; arrival lounge questions go to the airline operating the flight. [5]

Timing matters too. SkyTeam Elite Plus customers, and First and Business Class customers, can use the lounge at the departure airport at least three hours before the flight's scheduled departure time. [3]

Domestic flying is a partial exception on SkyTeam: since 1 April 2025, Elite Plus customers have lounge access on domestic flights, currently at select SkyTeam member airline lounges, and customers on domestic-only itineraries may have access to select lounges. [3] Star Alliance sets out tier rules rather than a domestic timetable, with Gold access tied to travelling on a Star Alliance flight in any class of travel. [5]

How do you check lounge access before booking a codeshare?

1. Read the carrier that operates the flight, not only the flight number, using a codeshare flight checklist and the glossary entries for codeshare, marketing carrier and operating carrier.
2. Confirm the operating airline belongs to the alliance your status sits in — Star Alliance requires departure on a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline, and SkyTeam Elite Plus requires a SkyTeam member-operated flight. [5] [3]
3. Confirm the lounge is at the airport you actually leave from; Star Alliance's finder lists departure lounges only and does not currently include lounges operated by its Connecting Partners. [5]
4. Check the tier rules: Star Alliance Gold in any class of travel, Silver not eligible, and First or Business Class on an international premium ticket. [5] On SkyTeam, Elite Plus regardless of travel class, or First and Business Class with every segment in that cabin. [3]
5. Pack the right credentials: SkyTeam asks Elite Plus customers to present boarding passes and a valid Elite Plus membership card, and premium-cabin customers to present a First or Business Class boarding pass. [3]
6. If you are paying rather than relying on status, Star Alliance requires you to be flying on a Star Alliance member carrier flight, admits you only to the lounge you reserved, and asks for the reservation plus a valid boarding pass for the same day of travel. [1] SkyTeam says lounge access cannot currently be purchased through skyteam.com. [3]

Exceptions and limits

• Delta Sky Club carve-out. Complimentary access at Delta Sky Clubs is no longer extended to Delta SkyMiles Elite Plus equivalent members (SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion) when flying in Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ internationally. [3] Effective 1 January 2024, Delta SkyMiles members travelling in Basic Economy or equivalent partner cabins do not have access to Delta Sky Clubs, and SkyTeam Elite Plus members of other SkyTeam member frequent flyer programmes are not impacted. [3] Delta SkyTeam Elite Plus members flying on a Delta or other SkyTeam-operated flight can keep using other SkyTeam member airline owned lounges and SkyTeam branded lounges, while third-party lounges are excluded. [3]
• Separate domestic policies. Different domestic lounge access policies may apply to members of Aerolineas Argentinas' Aerolineas Plus and Delta SkyMiles. [3]
• Named lounges with their own rules. The joint SkyTeam and Global Lounge Network lounge at São Paulo-Guarulhos, Terminal 2, is available to SkyTeam Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers flying on services operated by Air Europa. [3] The access policy for Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse at London Heathrow Terminal 3 is published by Virgin Atlantic. [3]
• International means international. SkyTeam's definition of international travel excludes customers travelling between the United States and the Caribbean. [3]
• Connecting Partner itineraries. A Star Alliance Gold customer on a connecting itinerary — a direct connection between a Star Alliance member airline flight and a flight operated by a Connecting Partner, in the same reservation — has access to Star Alliance member owned lounges, Star Alliance branded lounges, Connecting Partner lounges and lounges contracted by the Connecting Partner. [5]
• Guests. Star Alliance gives one guest to International First, Star Alliance Gold and eligible paid lounge membership customers; the guest must enter with the eligible customer and present a boarding pass for any Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport. [5] SkyTeam Elite Plus members may invite one guest who must be travelling on the same SkyTeam member-operated flight, whatever their preceding or onward flights. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Does Star Alliance Gold get lounge access on a codeshare flight?

Yes, if you are departing on a flight operated by a Star Alliance member airline, in any class of travel. [5] Star Alliance Silver members do not have access to Star Alliance lounges. [5]

Can I use an alliance lounge when I land?

No. SkyTeam provides access at departure and transfer airports only, not on arrival at the destination [3], and arrival lounge access is not a Star Alliance benefit. [5]

Can I bring a guest into the lounge on a codeshare itinerary?

Star Alliance allows one guest for International First, Star Alliance Gold and eligible paid lounge membership customers, and the guest must present a boarding pass for a Star Alliance flight departing from the same airport. [5] SkyTeam Elite Plus members may bring one guest travelling on the same SkyTeam member-operated flight. [3]

Does paid lounge entry work if the flight is a codeshare?

For Star Alliance paid entry you must be flying on a Star Alliance member carrier flight, and you may enter only the lounge you reserved, with your reservation and a valid boarding pass for the same day of travel. [1] SkyTeam states that lounge access cannot currently be purchased via skyteam.com. [3]

Related pages

Alliance lounge guides: Star Alliance lounge access, SkyTeam lounge access, oneworld lounge access. Booking help: codeshare flight checklist. Terms: codeshare, marketing carrier, operating carrier, all glossary terms.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers Star Alliance and SkyTeam rules only; oneworld lounge access is not covered here and is set out on the related oneworld guide.

1. Star Alliance paid lounge access FAQ, checked 18 October 2026
2. SkyTeam lounge access policy and lounge finder, checked 18 October 2026
3. Star Alliance lounge finder and lounge access FAQ, checked 18 October 2026