What happens with checked luggage with an airport change?
I'm considering two Miami - Zürich flights, which connect at New York. Both start MIA - JFK, but one continues with JFK - ZRH and the other with LGA - ZRH.
If I check my luggage at Miami, and take a cab from JFK to LGA, will I have to carry my bags and re-check them at LGA, or does the airline do this?
The cost difference (two people) is ~120 USD total. How much is the taxi, normally? Is an airport change worth the hassle?
Best Answer
When you fly from the US to Europe, the bag could be checked through to its final destination except if you have an airport change e.g. from LGA to JFK or EWR. If you have an airport change, then the baggage label / ticket is not for the final destination.
It is generally not worth doing an airport change. First you have to pick your luggage up and then you are at the mercy of traffic and other problems.
When you fly from Europe back to the US, you'd have to pick your luggage up anyway in the first port of arrival to then recheck it. The label on the bag would already be the right one to Miami in your case except if you change airports (e.g. from JFK to LGA).
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Do airports transfer checked bags?
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 they actually check your checked bag?
The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. Inspection Notices: TSA may inspect your checked baggage during the screening process. If your property is physically inspected, TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag.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.What happens to checked bags during layover?
What happens with checked luggage on a layover? 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 Your Checked Luggage at the Airport
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