During a transfer at Heathrow, do I need to transfer my baggage?

I am checking baggage on a US to UK flight with a change in airlines at Heathrow. United to UK, then British Air to Denmark. Do I have to claim my bags and leave the security area to recheck in or is there a check in within the secure area?

Best Answer

As far as I am aware, the only airlines doing London-Copenhagen from Heathrow are British Airways and SAS (FR is using STN, D8 is using LGW). If the second airline is indeed SAS there's a chance at the start your baggage can be checked through, GDS has SK listed under "MAY CHECK BAGGAGE TO" for BA interline agreements. As I mentioned in another similar answer, do the check in online and have the boarding pass ready because that might help when asking for such a baggage through check. It can't hurt because the check in process can be repeated any number of times but it definitely can help.

Otherwise no, there is no baggage drop in a secure area of an airport anywhere, that would require the check in luggage to go through security. The US special transit drop offs are landside, the only time you are saving there is not needing to find the regular check in desks.

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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 I have to recheck my luggage on a connecting flight?

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 layovers transfer luggage?

For domestic layovers, your checked luggage will be tagged to your final destination, so there's nothing for you to do while on your layover. Your bags will get taken off the first flight and loaded onto the second flight.

Connecting Flights Explained - Backpacking For Beginners Ep. 5

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