Do I need to pick up my luggage and re-check between Shanghai and DFW when connecting through LAX?
Traveling from PVG (Shanghai) to DFW ... have connection at LAX. Do I need to gather my checked bags before going through customs or will AA transfer the bags to my LAX to DFW flight?
Any tips making this connection smooth will be appreciated.
Best Answer
Yes, you will need to go through Immigration, pick up your bags and go through Customs before you can connect to your domestic flight. I can't give you exact advice since the shiny new International terminal just opened last week as I type this, and the LAX website is stunningly useless, but there should be an AA service counter after Customs that can advise you on where you can check in and drop ("re-deposit") your bags. Qantas has a vague diagram of what to expect.
And as for what you can do to make your connection smooth... well, connect somewhere outside the US and fly direct to DFW next time. International-to-domestic transfers anywhere in the US are terrible and LAX is particularly bad.
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Do checked bags automatically get transferred connecting flight?
Unless the connecting flight takes place in a country that requires all passengers to go through Immigration and Customs, checked baggage will automatically be transferred to the next flight.Do I need to recheck my luggage at LAX?
Ask about rechecking your bags.Airline staff will usually transfer your checked baggage for you, so you do not need to pick it up until your final destination. This isn't always true, though, so ask about this when you first check your bags.Do you collect your luggage on a connecting flight?
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 recheck my luggage at DFW?
Checked baggage (Re-check) Even if "final destination" is stamped on the baggage tag you were given when you checked your baggage at your departure point, you are still required to collect your baggage here and proceed through Customs.What happens to your luggage after check-in?
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