How does baggage work with connecting international flights? (2024)

How does baggage work with connecting international flights?

Here's what you're expected to encounter: If you checked a bag, you'll have to collect it from baggage claim from the international flight. You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight.

Do you have to pick up baggage between connecting flights international?

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.

Does my checked baggage go to Final Destination International?

If you're in a hurry, the short answer is usually yes. Airlines will typically transfer your checked baggage to your final destination airport for you.

Do I need to self transfer my luggage on a connecting flight?

At the end of your first flight, you'll likely need to pick up your checked baggage and recheck it for your second flight. You might need to pass through security and passport control during each connection (for international flights).

Do you have to go through customs on a connecting international flight?

If your layover is in the same country, you generally do not have to go through customs again. However, if your layover is in a different country, you will typically have to go through customs and immigration. Another factor that may influence whether you go through customs is the airport you are connecting through.

How do I know if my luggage will be transferred?

To be certain about baggage transfers on your itinerary, you'll need to reach out to the airline directly before your departure. It's also advised to verify this information with an airline agent at the airport check-in counter, and check that your baggage tags have the final destination airport printed on them.

What happens if I check a bag and have a layover international?

During layovers, your checked bags are typically transferred automatically to your final destination. You don't have to worry about collecting your bags and rechecking them.

Do you go through customs at your layover or final destination in Europe?

You might have to go through customs during a layover, especially if your layover is in the Schengen Area (which consists of most countries in the EU). For example, if your final destination is Paris, France, but you have a layover in Madrid, Spain, you will actually go through customs in Spain, not France.

Do you go through customs on connecting flight or final destination?

Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

What happens when you check-in for an international flight?

The check-in process at airports enables passengers to confirm they will be on the correct flight, obtain a boarding pass, possibly select their seat (if hasn't happened already and is allowed by airline), and check in luggage onto a plane, if desired.

Do I pick up my checked bag for a connecting flight?

When all your flights have the same Order Number or reservation code, it is generally not necessary. Even if you have to change airplanes during the connection, your baggage will be transported by airport baggage personnel, and you only have to pick it up at the destination airport.

How much time do you need between connecting flights internationally?

Two to three hours is the minimum recommended time for an international layover, but more might be needed. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020.

Do airlines automatically transfer luggage?

If you have booked your entire journey on a single ticket, your bags are typically automatically transferred between flights. This means that you don't have to worry about collecting your bags and re-checking them during your layover.

Is one hour enough for a connecting international flight?

Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

Can you leave the airport during a connecting flight international?

Leaving the airport during an international layover is possible but can be more complicated. Depending on the layover country, layover flight rules may require you to secure a visa before being allowed to venture out of the airport.

Do you have to pick up luggage when transferring?

However, the only time you have to get your checked bag and re-check it is when you have to go through customs and you have a connecting flight. You go through customs in the first country you land in.

Do I have to go through security again for connecting flight?

For connecting domestic flights, you almost never have to exit and reenter security, though there are some exceptions at airports where the terminals aren't all connected. For domestic-to-international connection, it's still pretty rare that you have to exit and reenter security, even if you're changing terminals.

What happens to your luggage when you have an overnight layover?

Layover Duration Doesn't Matter

Whether your layover is a few hours or overnight, the airline will still transfer your bags to the next flight. Baggage handlers at the connecting airport have a limited amount of time to unload and reload bags onto the appropriate aircraft.

What is the difference between a layover and a connecting flight?

A layover is a waiting time or a connection point between two destinations or flights. It can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 24 hours. On the other hand, a connecting flight is a flight that will make a stop en route, with passengers disembarking the flight and changing services.

Do I have to go through passport control for a connecting flight in Europe?

Transfer with passport control

Arriving from and connecting to an airport outside the Schengen area: Usually no passport control is required, if you don't leave the gate area. Arriving from the Schengen area and connecting to an airport outside the Schengen area: Passport control is required.

How do international layovers work?

For international layover flights, you will normally have to go through customs and immigration at the connecting airport. For flights with a layover in Canada or the USA, you will need to go through immigration and fill out the necessary customs paperwork even if you are not staying in the country.

Do I have to pick up my luggage on a connecting international flight in Paris?

If your destination airport is indicated (e.g. MIA), then your luggage is checked through to your final destination. If the airport indicated is CDG or ORY, you need to collect your luggage in Paris and check it in again.

How does customs work if I have a connecting flight?

If a connection to another U.S. city is involved, the traveler will not be required to go through another clearance when they arrive at that final U.S. destination. At U.S. ports of entry, CBP officers or employees are assigned to clear travelers, collect duties, and enforce U.S. import and export laws and regulations.

How long will a flight wait for connecting passengers?

Besides this, when you purchase a connecting flight ticket with your preferred airlines, then in such conditions, a general thumb rule says that; for domestic flights, the time is around 60-90 minutes, and suppose you have an international connecting flight ticket, then it will take approximately 2-3 hours, and it ...

Is it better to check-in online or at the airport for international flights?

Online check-in makes the most sense when you do not want to spend a lot of time waiting at the airport. Especially people who are only traveling with hand luggage can save a lot of time this way.