Do i need to re-check in my Baggage??

Question

Im Flying -

Sydney (Australia) to Vancouver (Canada)

Vancouver to Calgary

Calgary to Grande Prairie

Air Canada all the way..

Im told because its the same airline all the way my bags will meet me in Grande Prairie , BUT, Because Grande Prairie isn't an International Airport will i have to collect and re-check my baggage along the way somewhere?? What happens with customs ect??

(Never travelled married/connecting flights before, so i apologise for being so oblivious.. :) )

Answer 1

YOu won't see your bags from getting on at Sydney to getting off at Grand Prairie!  They stay airside all the time.

Answer 2

You will have to clear Customs at Vancouver. So, you will be briefly reunited with your bags in case Customs needs to inspect them.

Once you're through Customs, there should be a drop-off point for your baggage so that you can go straight to your departure gate.

Answer 3

usually your baggage will be transferred for you but in some cases it isn't.All you have to do is ask the clerk when you check your baggage at the beginning of your trip and they will confirm this for you

Answer 4

You have to reclaim your luggage to clear customs and immigration when landing in Vancouver, at that time you will have to then go to the other side of the airport to check them and you into a domestic flight - you will be landing on the international flight side --

This is a fairly long ways away so make sure you have lots of time to go through immigration, customs and make it to the check in counter on the domestic side and then proceed to your departure gate -

From past experience I would allow myself at least an hour and a half between flights because of potential delays.

If your are travelling with children they could hold you up too.

You can carry on luggage that meets the requirements and will fit in the overhead racks but are limited to two carry ons per person - so for me, I put my purse into my tote bag and carry on my laptop as well -- which gives me three, but the purse as I said is INSIDE the tote bag which has all the neccessities, such as a book, hand lotion etc.

Check the Air Canada website for measurements for carry ons.  You cannot carry on a full sized suitcase.

IF you need help hiking from one side of the airport to the other request assistance from Air Canada before leaving

Australia.

Once you are in Canada and have cleared customs your luggage will travel through without you having to claim it along the way

You will be given customs forms and immigration forms just before landing in Canada, to be filled out on the plane so you are prepared for customs and immgration -

You will need your passport number, etc and a pen to do this so be prepared.

Your flight attendant will make an announcement as you are landing as to where to claim your luggage in the Vancouver airport - he or she will give you the number.

ALWAYS listen to the announcements when you are at your departure gates as the gates are sometimes changed !! This happens a lot of overseas flights for some reason -- our gate was changed four times in Narita

The Grand Prairie and Northern Alberta area received almost four feet of snow this past week, so be prepared, spring doesnt usually FINALLY arrive up there until the end of May

Bon chance, and welcome to Canada mate