Baggage & Customs??

[JoanieBlon]

We are flying Delta from Tampa to JFK. From there, we are flying on British Airways to London.

I'm not even sure that we can have our bags checked all the way through from Tampa to London via the two air lines. If we can, I was wondering what would happen if our bags somehow didn't make it or were delayed coming into London from New York. Would we have to have to return to Gatwick from our hotel to clear our bags through Customs? Or, would they just be delivered to our London hotel as they would be with Domestic flights?

We have 2-1/2 hours at JFK before we fly out to London. I was wondering if it MIGHT be safer to pick up our bags there at the Delta Baggage Claim and then take them with us to check-in at British Airways.

Don't think I have ever seen this question regarding delayed bags and International flights addressed anywhere.

Anyone have any FIRM knowledge about all this?

[TAPPY]

I know when hubby travels overseas and switches airlines he always picks up his bags from one airline and has them rechecked through the new one.

Dont know what happens if they dont make it however.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by JoanieBlon

We are flying Delta from Tampa to JFK. From there, we are flying on British Airways to London.

I'm not even sure that we can have our bags checked all the way through from Tampa to London via the two air lines. If we can, I was wondering what would happen if our bags somehow didn't make it or were delayed coming into London from New York. Would we have to have to return to Gatwick from our hotel to clear our bags through Customs? Or, would they just be delivered to our London hotel as they would be with Domestic flights?

We have 2-1/2 hours at JFK before we fly out to London. I was wondering if it MIGHT be safer to pick up our bags there at the Delta Baggage Claim and then take them with us to check-in at British Airways.

Don't think I have ever seen this question regarding delayed bags and International flights addressed anywhere.

Anyone have any FIRM knowledge about all this?

I always check my bags all of the way through, no matter how many airlines are required to complete my journey (I think four airlines is my own personal record). My theory is that the airline can transfer them more quickly from plane to plane if I don’t get in the middle of the process. And for a few airports, moving from one terminal to another with a bunch of bags is could be very difficult (LHR is one example of this). And don’t forget you are the mercy of the same people unloading the first aircraft and loading the second one, even if you do take position of your bags between the two processes. <o>
</o>I have had bags arrive late in <st1><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1>. They were delivered to my door (no visit to customs by me) about three days later.

[BonnyW]

Originally Posted by JoanieBlon

We are flying Delta from Tampa to JFK. From there, we are flying on British Airways to London.

I'm not even sure that we can have our bags checked all the way through from Tampa to London via the two air lines. If we can, I was wondering what would happen if our bags somehow didn't make it or were delayed coming into London from New York. Would we have to have to return to Gatwick from our hotel to clear our bags through Customs? Or, would they just be delivered to our London hotel as they would be with Domestic flights?

We have 2-1/2 hours at JFK before we fly out to London. I was wondering if it MIGHT be safer to pick up our bags there at the Delta Baggage Claim and then take them with us to check-in at British Airways.

Don't think I have ever seen this question regarding delayed bags and International flights addressed anywhere.

Anyone have any FIRM knowledge about all this?

Hi Joanie,
Call the first airline (outbound) and ask them if they check your bags through; and if they do check it through, THEN ask if your bags will it be on the same exact airline flight that you will be on.

It depends on if they have agreements between the carriers whether they will be able to check them through or not. If they don't have an agreement, your bags will be on a different flight, and your bags may end up in a different terminal. Sometimes they can't check them through and you will need to pick them up and re-check them. The only way to know this, is to call the airline and ask them how it will work.

If the airline misplace your bags or they get lost, most airlines are very good about reimbursing you for some of your stuff, and giving you money to buy essentials if the bags are delayed. Some will deliver the bags to your hotel, or whever you are staying...