IAG's LEVEL Seeks to Launch Codeshare Operations with Finnair and Qatar Airways on its U.S. Routes
The IAG low-cost airline seeks to expand its U.S. connectivity from Barcelona via new codeshares as it transitions to its own operating certificate.
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Fly Level Barcelona, the low-cost, long-haul airline of the IAG group, has submitted applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking authorization to display the codes of Finnair (AY) and Qatar Airways (QR) on its flights between Barcelona (BCN) and five U.S. destinations.
This strategic move comes at a pivotal moment for LEVEL, as it is in the final phase of transitioning to operate its U.S. flights under its own Spanish Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Until now, these operations were conducted under a wet-lease agreement with Iberia, its sister company within IAG.
The applications, filed on July 29, 2025, seek a blanket and indefinite authorization for LEVEL to market its services in cooperation with both airlines. Specifically, the arrangement would allow Finnair and Qatar Airways to add their flight designators to the routes LEVEL operates from its base at El Prat Airport to New York (NYC), Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), and San Francisco (SFO).
What is a Codeshare?
A codeshare agreement allows an airline (the marketing carrier) to sell seats on a flight operated by another airline (the operating carrier) under its own designator code. This expands the marketing airline's network of destinations without needing to operate the flights itself, offering passengers more connection options and a more integrated travel experience. In this case, LEVEL would be the operating carrier, while Finnair and Qatar Airways would act as marketing partners.
The collaboration is built upon Iberia's existing partnerships. The documents submitted to the DOT clarify that the codeshare agreements Iberia already holds with Finnair and Qatar Airways have been amended to include LEVEL as an affiliate. This structure facilitates integration and leverages synergies within the IAG ecosystem and the oneworld alliance.
Both Finnair and Qatar Airways are full members of the oneworld alliance, as are Iberia and British Airways, the pillars of IAG. The relationship with Qatar Airways is particularly close, as the Gulf carrier is one of the main shareholders in International Airlines Group (IAG), with a stake of around 25%.
In its filing, LEVEL argues that the approval of these agreements is in the public interest, as it "will provide a more efficient use of capacity in the marketplace and will help maximize the service options available to the traveling and shipping public". Furthermore, the request is supported by the existing Open Skies Agreements between the United States and the European Union, and between the United States and Qatar, which explicitly permit cooperative marketing arrangements such as codesharing.
The company has requested a waiver of the 45-day advance filing requirement from the DOT to expedite the process and enable its partners to "market the contemplated codeshare service immediately".
This step solidifies LEVEL's position as the primary long-haul operator in Barcelona and enhances the connectivity of the Catalan hub with the global oneworld alliance network, offering passengers from Finland and the Middle East a direct connection through Barcelona to key destinations in the United States.
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