Do I need to claim and recheck baggage at each of two connections between US and UK?

Do I need to claim and recheck baggage at each of two connections between US and UK? - Free stock photo of adam, adult, aid

I am flying from Birmingham (BHX) > New York (JFK) and then a connecting flight to Phoenix (PHX) and another connection to San Francisco (SFO). All three flights are with same the airline (US Airways) and are on one itinerary/ticket.

Will I have to claim my baggage and recheck-in at JFK and PHX?



Best Answer

You ONLY claim your bags in JFK when you clear customs. Then you recheck them after leaving customs with USAir. They transfer them to your SFO flight in PHX without your involvement.




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Do you have to recheck baggage on connecting international flights?

If you're connecting in the U.S., they require everyone from international flights to re-check their baggage upon the first landing point.

Do you have to collect your checked bags if you are connecting?

It depends on how your ticket was booked. If your flights were booked under one ticket, your bags will be checked through to your final destination. If your flights were booked under separate tickets, you will need to collect your bags and recheck them before your connecting flight.

Do I need to change my luggage on a connecting flight?

If you have booked your connecting flights independently, the airline is under no obligation to transfer your baggage to your connecting flight. In this case, you will need to collect your baggage after your first flight and re-check your baggage before your connecting flight.

Do you have to pay for baggage twice on connecting flights?

Baggage basics So one way = one charge. Round trip = two charges. If your flight has a connection, bags will generally transfer from flight to flight and no additional fees will apply.



Lost luggage: What happens to your baggage after check-in




More answers regarding do I need to claim and recheck baggage at each of two connections between US and UK?

Answer 2

As you are on the same airline, your bags will be tagged all the way through to SFO when you check-in.

However, US Government rules require you to collect your bags in your first point of entry into the US, and carry them yourself through customs. Thus you will need to collect your bags in JFK after going through immigration and take them through customs. Once you're through customs there will be a place to re-drop them (without a need to actually "check-in" as such as they are already tagged to SFO).

From there, you bags will be transferred onto the US domestic connecting flights, so you will not need to collect them again until your final destination, SFO.

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