What happens to checked luggage when there's an overnight layover?
I have an overnight layover as part of a single itinerary. Does the airline store the checked luggage overnight, or make me pick it up and then re-check it?
If they store it and I needed access to the luggage, can this be arranged at the time of check in?
If instead I don't need to access my luggage and don't want to deal with storing it, can I ask the airline to keep my luggage for me?
Best Answer
At check-in, the ticketing agent usually tells you if the luggage is checked all the way through or not. There is no fixed rule that applies to all cases.
If it is checked all the way through, meaning they expect you to pick it up at your final destination and that is not what you want, ask for the luggage checked to the stop you want to access your luggage. In most cases, this will be possible but you must ask at check-in time. Once a piece of luggage is tagged with its destination, this will be unlikely to be changed.
If they say it is not checked all the way through, you must pickup your luggage and check it in again. This happens depending on the route and airlines involved and you rarely have the option not to do this. For example, if you have a domestic flight following an international one, there is often the requirement to get the luggage through customs yourself and re-check it in.
Now, if you are checked-in for the later half of your route but your luggage is not, you have to go to the airline counter if it was tagged only to your stop. If it was tagged all the way but you had to pick it up at the stop, then you may hand it to a designated baggage drop-off point instead. They will often pass the whole thing through an X-ray machine or manual inspection again at that point. Stay there until someone responsible tells you it is OK.
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What happens to my checked bag if I have an overnight layover?
Luggage and Layovers If you have an overnight layover, you can request to retrieve your luggage at baggage claim so that you have all of your items with you. However, you'll need to recheck your luggage in the morning, so plan additional time for going through security again.What happens to my luggage when I have a layover?
In general, if you're on a domestic flight, once you land for your layover, you'll pass through a transfer area that will take you to the gate for your next flight without having to check in again. Your bags will automatically pass through to the next flight without you having to collect them.Do I have to get my luggage during a long layover?
When you purchase a layover flight, you will need to claim your bags when you land at your layover destination, and recheck them the next day when you continue your flight(s).What happens if you have an overnight layover?
If you do have an overnight layover and will be spending the night at the airport, remember your options. You can stay in an airport hotel both within transit or on the public side, you could sleep or rest in the airport terminal itself.What Happens to Your Checked Luggage at the Airport
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Answer 2
Does the airline store the luggage overnight?
It depends. If your bags are checked through to your final destination then they will 'store' your baggage overnight.
If you bags aren't checked through to your final destination then you will need to pick them up at the layover destination's baggage carousel and retain them until you can check them in again (4-5 hours before your next flight).
If one needed access to the luggage, could this be arranged at the time of check in?
Yes, just have them check your bag only to your layover destination. You will have to claim your bag at the baggage carousel and check it back in as early as 4-5 hours before your next flight.
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