Flying two airlines?delayed luggage?will the airline deliver my bags to my final destination?

Question

Ok I will be flying from USA to London on Continental airlines and have a layover of 7 hours in London before continuing on a British airways flight to Madrid.I bought both tickets seperate because it was much cheaper that way..I know I will have to go check in for my second flight after clearing passport control and claiming my bags..

but what if Continental airlines is late delivering my bags and it arrives after I left to spain...will Continental airlines deliver them to Madrid to my home there?

Im just concerned and would like to hear about your experience with flying two airlines and delayed bagge..

Thanks

Answer 1

as it is two seperate trips the airline is not their responsible but they will usually put it on the next flight for you There may be an extra charge and you will probably have to pick it up from airport.

With that amount of time between flights it should be ok.

Answer 2

My guess is that the airlines will refuse to take responsibility for chasing you round the world if they mislay your luggage. Let's hope it doesn't happen !

Answer 3

i have traveled two airlines before so the luggage must wait for your before your flight leaves. and since your flights are sperate and you bought the tickets seprately then the luggage will have to wait for you.

Answer 4

they will most likely check Ur bag to the final destination but you will have to pick up Ur bag in London go through customs and immigration then put it on a connecting flight area so u wont have to re check it but you most lilkly have to pick it up and put it some where Else call the airline to find out Also their will be employees and sighs to help

Answer 5

Hello, since you have bought seperate tickets, it is absolutely your responsibility to collect your luggage and clear customs and to check them in for your next flight. IF they were

(a) on the same airline, with a connection to another place, OR,

(b) if it were on the same ticket but involving 2 airlines, then

the airline you checked the baggage in at first would have absolute responsibility to make sure the bags reach you. In fact, the baggage claim tags would show your final destination and there would be no problem: you would know for sure the original airline you check the baggage in are responsible.

But in this case, since it is 2 different tickets altogether, the first airline (Continental) has responsibility only upto London. Then, for the next flight, ONCE YOU HAVE CHECKED IN, then BA will take responsibility from London to Madrid. But unless you check in yourself, BA usually will have no clue that you have luggage as they do not know about it. In fact, in theory you could drop off the bags at London and proceed to Madrid with carry ons only. They *may* make some effort to connect your bags, but they are not obligated to.

However, 7 hours is a lot of time to connect in London. You will be OK : dont worry about it: you will be able to collect your luggage at ease, under usual circumstances. I have seen people with 3 hour connection times collect their bags, have a cup of coffee and then check in for their next flight.

A word to the wise: do apply labels with your name and  address, including your phone # liberally on the outside and inside of your check-in bags.

Hope it helps.