I'm confused - help me w/my flight!?

Question

So... This is the first time i've used expedia, rather than going directly through the airline.

It says i'm flying with Continental airlines, operated by pinnacle airlines dba Northwest.

I tried to do 24 hour check in with continental, and it says :

Continental.com check-in is not currently offered for flights that are operated by another carrier. Please proceed to the airport for check-in.

Do I go to Continental or Northwest?!?

Its been a long day, and this might be the dumbest question ever.. but i'm confused...

Answer 1

It's not a stupid question at all - codeshares can make things very confusing, especially if you don't travel that often.

To answer your question, you go to Northwest.  For future reference, you always go to the carrier operating the flight for check-in.

Safe travels!

Answer 2

I would call to Continental Airlines, explain it to them let them point you in the right direction.

Continental Airlines 800-525-0280

I would also call Northwest to make sure:

Northwest Airlines 800-225-2525  

Answer 3

Go to the ticket counter for Continental. They are using Pinnacle Airlines (possibly operated by Northwest) as a regional carrier.

Your ticket was (as you describe it) issued by Continental and they will be responsible for checking you in. BUT, if you get to the airport and find this is not the case, you can easily go to the other check-in counter.

Airlines will sometimes do this if you are traveling a short distance.

Answer 4

No, it's not a dumb question. This confuses a lot of people.

You have booked what is called a "code-share" flight. On code-share flights, you book your reservation on one airline and they put you on a different airline's flight. (I once booked a trip to Europe on Delta. Despite having four flights on the itinerary, I never once flew on an actual Delta aircraft.) Strangely enough, this is legal in the airline industry.

The flight will be operated by Pinnacle Airlines, which flies regional jets for Northwest. The flight will depart from the Northwest gates. However, at some airports, Continental and Northwest are in the same terminal and share the same gates. You can probably find a map of your departure airport on the Internet which will tell you if this is the case. Otherwise, call Continental and ask. They can tell you.