International connecting flight/ baggage concern at Narita Airport with non-codeshare air carriers
I am a Filipino citizen. I have a single itinerary ticket for a one-way trip to Tahiti, French Polynesia with a connecting flight in Narita, Japan on February 20 (Cebu -> Narita -> Tahiti). My concern is that since my two airline carriers (Air Philippines and Air Tahiti Nui) are not partnered, my luggage will not be tagged all the way to my final destination (I only sadly learned this). Air Tahiti Nui replied to me and said there is a chance I will have to personally collect my luggage, which would entail passing through Immigration/Passport Control (to be honest, the person didn't seem to know much). I do not have a visa (I did not bother since I am only in the same terminal for arrival and departure) and my layover is only three hours.
Will the transit desk be able to tag my luggage to Tahiti?
If it comes down to it, what do I do if I have to pass through immigration?
I only intend to collect my luggage to check it in for my next flight (without leaving airport premises if possible).
Would I be eligible for a transit pass/shore pass?
(Also I already asked PAL and they said the Cebu check-in desk can't give shore pass applications :/).
Is there any way I can have my baggage retagged at Narita?
The airline carriers of my trip haven't been giving me clear answers. I am also still waiting from the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines.
Best Answer
Where did you get issued the "single ticket"? Neither Air Philippines nor Air Tahiti Nui fly that route (as far as I could find). Did you purchase these tickets on flight aggregation sites which has essentially given you two separate tickets?
In Narita Airport, there is a transit path that allows you to transfer from one flight to another without going through immigration. Unfortunately you will be unlikely to use this if you need to collect your baggage, which is after immigration. See the connections guide on the Narita Airport page.
If your luggage is not tagged to your final destination, you will need to go through immigration then collect your luggage, then check in again in Narita. As you are a Phillipine National, you will need to contact the Embassy of Japan for a transit visa.
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Do you have to recheck baggage on connecting flights International?
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 we need to collect baggage for connecting flights?
Check-in baggage will be made available to the passengers at the final destination and boarding passes till destination airport will be issued at the origin airport. Passengers are not required to collect the bag or check-in again at the connecting airport.Can I check my bag all the way through when my connecting flight is on a separate ticket?
Conclusion. Unfortunately, there is no way to ensure that your luggage will be checked through when traveling on two separate tickets.How does baggage get transferred connecting flights?
In case there is sufficient time between connecting flights, the agent (who has a list of baggage to be transferred) unloads the baggage and loads it into the airport baggage control system, which then sorts it automatically into the correct aircraft.TOKYO NARITA Airport INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER during COVID-19
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