Planning to travel from JFK to India(Bhopal), can my luggage be checked through to Bhopal

Question

Hello

I am planning to travel from JFK to Mumbai (Air India), and take a connecting flight 7 hrs later to Bhopal (Indian Airlines). Can my luggage be checked in all the way to Bhopal? So that I do not have to claim it in Mumbai and check it in again for Mumbai to Bhopal?

Also the same question for the return journey. Can I check in my luggage at Bhopal and have to claim it only when I reach JFK?

Thanks

Answer 1

No, you cannot check in your baggage  all the way from JFK to Bhopal.

You have to re-claim it at Mumbai. Then you have to Clear customs at the international airport.

Then you can use either the bus service provided by Airports Authority of India to get transferred from Int'l airport to Domestic Airport or you can take a Auto-rickshaw or Taxi or Cab to get to the Domestic airport. As the Bus Service is not always available.

Then you have to wait at domestic airport and then again check in  your luggage at the domestic airport.

Answer 2

You normally have to clear customs and immigration checks at the first port of entry in the country of your destination. That would be Mumbai. You must have your luggage with you for the immigration check, so you will be reclaiming it at Mumbai.

Most airports have a baggage check station as you exit the immigration check, so you can re-check your bags there. You shouldn't have to go to the check-in counter.

On your return journey, your bags will be checked through to JFK if both flights are on the same airline or if they are on two airlines that have an interline luggage transfer agreement. If your connection is on two airlines without a luggage transfer agreement, then you have to claim your bags, take them to the check-in counter, stand in line and recheck them, and then clear the security check. Allow lots of time if you have to do this.

If your connection is on two airlines and you're unsure if they have a luggage agreement, then call one of the airlines. Or, if you bought your ticket from a travel agent, the agent can tell you. That's the only way to be sure.

Answer 3

I wasn't able to find a definitive answer, but it LOOKS like you will have to clear customs in Mumbai, and you will have to collect and re-check luggage.  On the way back, if the two airlines have a luggage agreement you should be OK through JFK