Adding a connecting flight to an existing ticket
Here's the situation: I'm flying to London for a school program (study abroad) out of Boston on a group flight, which my institution kindly paid for. I have the e-ticket for that flight in hand. I live across the country in Seattle, so I need to fly to Logan to catch the group flight. I would like to avoid doubling up on baggage fees & having to collect my bags at Logan, only to recheck them, so I would like to purchase my flight from Seattle to Logan as a connection, so the bags are just transferred to the next plane.
My questions are:
- Is this even possible to do?
- Would you have any advice about how to do it (the Logan-Heathrow flight is Virgin Atlantic)?
Best Answer
Virgin Atlantic have US Airways as their partners. Check with US Airways if they can check in your baggage all the way through, if you fly with them from Seattle. On the VA site they also state that Continental is their partner, I'm not sure if it is still the case though. If it is - check the same with United/Continental.
Generally, they shouldn't charge you baggage fees if you're flying on a transatlantic route (I had my bags checked in for free all the way through when I was connecting with AA to LAX from SJC for an international flight with a different company that AA was partnered with). But call the companies and verify that it is the case for US Air and Conti as well.
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Can I add a connecting flight to an existing booking?
You can only do this by adding to an original booking and not by booking 2 separate flights and asking to combine them later.Can you add a flight to an existing itinerary?
You can never add or combine itineraries. All tickets must be purchased together and use exactly the same flights, fare codes, etc. However, you can link the itineraries when or after the new ticket is issued. If you call, you might be able to get EC or preferred seats for only one additional person.Do I need a new ticket for a connecting flight?
Fly on a single ticket when you need to connect flights Typically, any connecting itinerary you arrange on a single ticket conforms with whatever connecting times apply.Can you link two separate flights with the same airline?
A: It depends, but the general rule is NO. Some airlines will through check baggage onto separately ticketed flights, but some won't (even if both tickets are with the same airline). Some airlines will take pity if your delay is due to them, but others don't.Flying Alone for the First Time | Connecting Flight Procedure | How to Catch a Connecting Flight
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Answer 2
If you book with the same airline, usually they can modify your booking. Certainly give Virgin a call and see if they fly from Seattle.
An alternative option I did in Almaty, Kazakhstan - I arrived on one airline and left on another. However with no visa for Kazakhstan (I was transiting) I couldn't get to my bags. I explained to an airport attendant, who helpfully went out, fetched my bag, retagged it for the new airport in Kyrgyzstan and sent it back into the system.
Of course, ideally you don't want to have to risk that - I only realised it could be a problem as I was flying into the airport. But it shows how much is possible!
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