Under what conditions is my luggage auto-transferred from a previous flight to the next?
Note: I'm aware that some countries (e.g. the USA) require you to pick up your luggage on international flights. This question assumes that there is no such legal requirement.
When booking multi-city international flights under a single reservation, under what conditions, by default, is my luggage transferred automatically across two consecutive flights? Note that these are not booked as "connecting" flights, but rather separate flights under a single booking.
For example, I imagine that if two consecutive flights are separated by 1 hour, then my luggage should be transferred automatically, but if they are separated by 1 week, then they shouldn't. So what exactly is the in-between cutoff? Is it listed on airlines' websites somewhere? Or is it listed under the fare rules? And is it something I have any control over (and if so, how do I request what should be done)?
(I'm just looking for a general rule of thumb here... if you think it differs widely across airlines or countries, then please just give a couple of contrasting examples for two popular countries or airlines.)
Best Answer
The general rule of thumb is if it is a single ticket on the same airline or their partner airlines, then your baggage will be checked through to the final destination for that day's flights. (that "day's flights" being a series of flights you can check in for at one time, which may cover several calendar days)
If it is a single ticket using multiple non-aligned airlines (such as through a travel agent or 3rd party booking sites), then the ability to check bags through would depend on the interline agreements in place between each pair of connecting airlines.
The allowable time for not claiming bags at layovers varies depending on airport and airline policies. I have had to claim bags during an 8 hour layover and have checked bags through with a 22 hour layover. This is an aspect that only the airline can answer with certainty.
Pictures about "Under what conditions is my luggage auto-transferred from a previous flight to the next?"
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 you have to pick up baggage between connecting flights?
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.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.What happens to luggage on domestic connecting flights?
If you are provided with two boarding passes while checking in the baggage first time. Then you need to go for security check again with hand baggage. But in both the cases , you check in baggage is transferred internally.Lost luggage: What happens to your baggage after check-in
More answers regarding under what conditions is my luggage auto-transferred from a previous flight to the next?
Answer 2
Generally, if the stop is inserted in a flight section by necessity (to change planes or such), the luggage is checked through.
If you book the section of the flight to a city, and then another section from there on, you make that stop happen, and then you get your luggage out.
There are exceptions, like when your layover is very long, or if you ask to have your luggage not checked through; and at the end it all depends on the airline and its internal policies.
If you want to know for sure for a specific case, you have to ask them (and it might still be different later).
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Gustavo Fring, Kelly, Gustavo Fring, Kelly