It’s not uncommon for passengers with connecting flights to experience significant delays at the baggage carousel. Much time passes before concerned glances turn into full-on scowls, complete with balled up fists and exasperated sighs. And when people finally spot their checked bags? A cheer erupts…
When booking connecting flights on one ticket, it’s important to understand the role of an onward carrier. An onward carrier typically respects the baggage allowance established by the main airline, but there can be exceptions leading to additional charges depending on the specific ticket and airline policies.
Without question, the most common complaint among frequent travelers is about lost luggage. Airline baggage departments are always working to streamline the checking process, but everyone has had to wait at some point.
Now you’ve reached your destination. Excitement is in the air with all the new people, experiences and activities you’re about to experience on your trip. But before you get too excited, there’s a few things you should know concerning your connecting flight baggage and how to get it back once you reach your connecting flight as fast as possible…
…so delays do NOT ruin your trip.
Do You Have to Recheck Luggage on Connecting Flights?
Checking your luggage is one of those necessary evils you just have to go through when flying. Most people don’t want to check their bags because they’re afraid their suitcases will get lost, stolen or damaged…and thus never make to their final destination.
The good news? If you’re connecting on a domestic flight, you DO NOT have to recheck your bags as the carrier will forward them on to your next flight. However, if your journey involves connections with a different airline, you may face additional fees. The next airline may have different baggage policies, and if the tickets are booked separately, you might need to recheck your luggage and pay extra fees.
What Happens to Your Checked Baggage on International Connecting Flights?
One of the most common questions we receive from international travelers is: “What happens to my checked luggage when I connect between international separate flights at a U.S. hub?”
Unfortunately, there is no ‘one size fits all’ answer. It depends on your international and local airports and the different airlines, as well as where you checked your bags within your international journey.
We’ll break it down as easily as possible…
How Do Connecting Flights Work with Baggage?
First things first: International checked baggage is typically only handled by international airports, not your departure airport.
For instance, if you travel from New York to Paris, your international check-in takes place at the international terminal in New York (the first flight), not at the domestic terminal of JFK where your U.S. journey began. If the journey involves different airlines, passengers may need to recheck their baggage and pay additional fees to the next airline.
This international check-in is also where your baggage will be re-tagged to the international carrier’s airline code if you checked your bag to a separate international airport.
In this case, it is unlikely that your bag would continue on to Paris by making an international-to-domestic transfer. The bag would likely stay with your international carrier, although the international carrier is not required to hold onto it.
This may be risky if you are transferring to a city/airport that international carriers don’t normally serve (i.e., O’Hare instead of Paris).
Interlining and Baggage Transfer on Connecting Flights
When traveling on connecting flights, understanding the interlining and baggage transfer process can save you a lot of hassle. Interlining refers to agreements between airlines to transfer passengers and their baggage between flights seamlessly. This can make your journey smoother, but there are a few things you need to know.
If your connecting flights are on the same ticket, you’re in luck! The baggage allowance is usually coordinated across all flights in your itinerary, meaning you won’t have to worry about re-checking your bags or paying additional fees. However, if your connecting flights are on separate tickets, things get a bit more complicated. You may need to collect your baggage at the connection point, re-check it for the next flight, and potentially pay additional fees to each airline.
Here are some key points to consider:
Same Ticket: If your connecting flights are on the same ticket, your baggage allowance is typically harmonized for all flights.
Separate Tickets: If your flights are on separate tickets, you may need to re-check your baggage and pay additional fees to each airline.
Interline Agreement: If the airlines have an interline agreement, you might not need to pay baggage overage fees to each airline.
No Interline Agreement: If there’s no interline agreement, you’ll need to claim your bags at the connection point, re-check them, and pay any fees assessed by the second airline.
Understanding these points can help you navigate the complexities of baggage transfer on connecting flights and avoid any unexpected surprises.
Make Sure to Recheck Your Bags on International Transfers
If your international flight is international-domestic, then your checked baggage will likely be transferred between airlines for you. The international carrier would drop the checked bag off at the domestic airline’s international ticket counter.
Arriving international passengers with a boarding pass (not to mention always having your passports/and or visa on you at all times!) go through customs and then must recheck their baggage at a counter or machines before going to their connecting flights.
So be mindful that you’ll have to make sure rechecking takes place. And give yourself plenty of time in transit.
Not sure if your international flight is international-domestic? Most international flights are one way (from country A to country B). If you’re traveling from London to Atlanta, you’re international-domestic.
IMPORTANT: If 2 carriers have an Interline Agreement (or they are partner airlines), you may not need to recheck bags for the second flight. Make sure you call your airlines to get specifics so you’re prepared.
Travel Tip: If you have really small luggage, it never hurts to be cautious and make it your carry-on bag (especially if you have valuable items such as medications). 🙂
When you purchase a layover flight, you will need to claim your bags when you land at your layover destination, and recheck them the next day when you continue your flight(s). how to book flights with long layovers
Special Considerations for Long Layovers and Separate Tickets
Traveling on connecting flights with long layovers or separate tickets requires some extra planning, especially when it comes to your checked baggage. Here are some special considerations to keep in mind to ensure a smooth journey.
If you have a long layover, typically exceeding 12 hours, you may need to collect your baggage and re-check it for your next flight. This is especially true if your layover involves an overnight stay or if you’re switching between airlines that don’t have an interline agreement.
When traveling on separate tickets, you will need to collect your baggage and re-check it for each flight. This means more time spent at the baggage claim and check-in counters, so plan your layover time accordingly to avoid missing your next flight.
Here are some key points to remember:
Long Layovers: If your layover exceeds 12 hours, you may need to collect and re-check your baggage for the next flight.
Separate Tickets: You will need to collect and re-check your baggage for each flight if you have separate tickets.
Breaks in Journey: If you have a break in your journey, such as an overnight stay, you will need to collect and re-check your baggage for the next flight.
Check with Airlines: Always confirm the baggage transfer policy and any additional fees with your airline to avoid surprises.
By understanding these special considerations, you can plan your trip more effectively and avoid any unexpected baggage fees or hassles. This preparation ensures that your journey is as smooth and stress-free as possible, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip.
Do You Have to Pay Baggage Fees for Connecting Flights?
It depends on the airline, but typically the answer is no.
Typically, airlines do not charge baggage fees on direct flights…or domestic flights. However, they often assess charges for bags on international itineraries. If you are transferring between two domestic airports (e.g., O’Hare Airport in Chicago and Midway Airport in Chicago) on the same airline, there is usually no charge for baggage on your ticket purchases.
If you are connecting through an international airport (e.g., San Francisco to Tokyo), you should use the check-in counter with your airline about any fees; most airlines do not charge these fees if the connection time is four hours or less. If a connection is made with an onward carrier, it typically respects the baggage allowance established by the main airline, but there may be exceptions.
How to Avoid Lost Luggage with Your Connections
Luggage can also get separated from its owner while navigating through transfer hubs or being loaded onto connecting flights. Carriers have teams in place to handle these situations, but delays do occur when a bag is accidentally sent to the wrong city or left behind at an earlier stop.
In some cases, travelers have their bags returned before ever leaving the airport. Sometimes they must wander from one ticket counter to another until reaching their destination, and they find their bag.
In any case, make sure you have luggage tags that include your arrival and departure addresses, email address, phone number, and any special delivery instructions. Make sure they are firmly attached to both handles of your suitcase for easy identification by airline staff.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, your checked baggage on connecting flights can sometimes get lost. This means you may need to buy new clothes or other necessities, and it’s a hassle if your flight is delayed for hours waiting for the right bag to show up.
However, there are precautions you can take outlined above before and during your trip that will help ensure everything goes according to plan:
– Know how many bags you’re checking in when booking
– Make sure all tags match (to avoid customs hassles and immigration, etc…)
– And pack only what’s needed so each person has one carry-on item.
– It never hurts to have a travel agent in case you need help…utilize them!
If this sounds like too much work but still want some peace of mind knowing how unlikely it is that your luggage will get lost.
Just make sure you prepare!