Can a friend (fellow passenger) take my baggage on a connecting flight that I am unable to board?
I've booked a ticket to fly from India to Kelowna, BC, Canada. My roommate and I are flying together. I have a stopover in Vancouver and due to some emergency I won't be able to catch the Kelowna flight. My roommate is going to be in the flight though. Is there any way that my baggage goes along with my roommate, as those are heavy and I won't be able to carry them with me? Due to some urgent reason, I have to be in Toronto on the same day, so I'm boarding another flight from Vancouver to Toronto.
Best Answer
Here is how the airline rules said that should be handled:
- Split the reservation into two separate ones.
- Execute a change on your reservation that removes the leg you won't take. This will incur a change fee (yes, you need to pay extra for not taking a flight you already have paid for). If you don't do that, they will cancel any return flight (google "Hidden City Ticketing" for more info).
- Check all your luggage in on your roommate's reservation. If that exceeds his/her allowance you need to pay extra for the excess luggage. You can't transfer your baggage allowance to your roommate.
As you can see, airline rules are written primarily to optimize revenue for the airline, i.e. squeeze as much money out of you as they can. If this is a real emergency, you can try to contact them and explain your situation. The agents have a fair amount of leeway to waive fees and charges, but it's very unpredictable.
DO NOT DO THE FOLLOWING: Check your bag all the way through to Kelowna and not board in Vancouver. There is a bag with your name on the flight and if you don't show up, they have to unload it from the plane, which is expensive and incurs a delay for the whole flight.
Pictures about "Can a friend (fellow passenger) take my baggage on a connecting flight that I am unable to board?"
Is luggage transferred on connecting flights?
When you purchase a connecting flight, checked baggage is usually forwarded to your final destination, and will change planes when you do. The agent at check-in will usually ask if you want your luggage checked through to your last stop.Do I have to pick up my luggage on a connecting flight with different airlines?
If your bag is tagged to your next or final destination, you may need to pick up your bags and place them on the connection drop-off belt. If it is not tagged to your next or final destination, then you will definitely need to pick up your bags and check them in for your next flight.What happens to my luggage if I miss my connection?
What happens to your luggage if you miss your flight? In the event that you missed a connection, or got held up in security and your checked luggage has gone ahead without you, immediately find an airline representative. The airline may be able to track your bags and hold them for you until your arrival.Connecting Flights *Explained* - Backpacking For Beginners Ep. 5
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: JESHOOTS.com, Gustavo Fring, Gustavo Fring, Gustavo Fring