Probably a dumb ? about multiple airline carriers About This Page:

[Minnie Lor]

We have always flown on one airline carrier. We usually drive to either Tulsa or KC and take a non-stop flight to Orlando or wherever we are going. Our tiny local airport has started offering a "puddle jumper" flight to KC. When I go on my solo trip this December I would like to take this flight and then take a SWA non-stop to Orlando.

Ok here's the dumb question. Do I check my bag all the way thru at my local airport or do I collect it at the KC airport and check it in at SWA counter? Also will I check in for the SWA flight at my home airport or do I do that when I arrive in KC?

[Fortissimo]

That is a great question! My answer?

I have no idea.

I would call the airline and ask. Sorry I can't help you here.

[LauraBelle V. Hime]

Are you going to book two seperate flights? If so, I would think you would have to collect and recheck your bags. If you're booking once, and it happens to be on multiple carriers, your bags will be transfered.

[Minnie Lor]

Originally Posted by LauraBelle V. Hime

Are you going to book two seperate flights? If so, I would think you would have to collect and recheck your bags. If you're booking once, and it happens to be on multiple carriers, your bags will be transfered.

Yeah, I'll book one thru Orbitz or travelocity and the other thru Southwest. You would think this question has come up before but Hopefully someone will know. If not I'll call Southwest.

[snoozin]

If they're separate tickets, airlines, etc. then you would be responsible for picking up the bags and getting them to the SWA counter. However, that being said, when your airline checks you in, they may take it upon themselves to take care of it... that would be nice!

[kv3291]

As mentioned earlier, if you need to book twice, then you are responsible for getting your baggage then re-checking. Allow enough time between flights for this. However, if the flights are 1 ticket with a plane change, even though they are 2 different carriers, your baggage would be taken care of.

The other thing to remember, if you have to book the 2 different tickets, your flights are not connected in the system, therefore, if your first flight is delayed, postponed or cancelled or your baggage is delayed, it is your responsibility for making the second plane. That second airline will think you are just originating your flight from that airport. If you do not make that second plane, you will be responsible for paying to change your flight.

If you book 1 ticket through 1 airline, eventhough it may be on multiple carriers, and the connection is missed because of their delay or their fault, you are not financially responsible for paying the change fee, you will not need to go to baggage claim, you will not need to check baggage in again and you will not need to go back through security. All you do is get off the plane and go to your next gate. However, it is still inconveniant if you miss your connection.

Generally, it is preferrable if you must change planes to have one ticket so you do not need to worry about going to baggage claim, getting baggage, then going to check baggage in a second time with the other airline, going through another security check point and/or worry if you can not make your connection. Also, if you need to check-in at the second airport after getting off your first flight and claiming your baggage, you need to follow the time allowance as if this was the airport you are originally taking off from. I don't know if I am explaining this well at all...

[Minnie Lor]

You are doing s great job of explaining. I will definitely leave myself plenty of time between flights. My puddle jumper wil get in at around 6:45 and my SWA flight will take off around 9:20 (as best as I can figure - dates not released yet) So that gives me 2 1/2 hours to get luggage transfered. Should be no problem loosing luggage from an airport that has one airline.

When I come home from WDW my SWA flight will arrive in KC at 7 pm and my puddle jumper won't leave until 9:50. That should be enough time.

Thanks for the info and the explaination.

[Tonichelle]

are you just not able to book the two together? I'm 'lazy' and don't want to worry about luggage until I get to my final destination lol

[Minnie Lor]

Originally Posted by Tonichelle

are you just not able to book the two together? I'm 'lazy' and don't want to worry about luggage until I get to my final destination lol

I don't think so. Southwest only books on their own site. I am lazy also but would probably worry that my luggage didn't make from tiny puddle jumper to big jumbo jet Southwest.

Okay. I'm going to have to call 'cause I want to know.

[Minnie Lor]

Yep. I have to pick up my luggage at the carousel from the puddle jumper (air midwest no that's not midwest air) and recheck it at Southwest. She said that 2 hours was more than plenty of time to do this.

It would be easier to do carry-on but that's not possible for me. At least now I know. My trip is still way off but I'm an avid planner.

Thanks everyone that I had info and/or comments.

[loobyoxlip]

Southwest does NOT interline check bags. In return, no airline will interline check bags for them.

For future reference, if you do have 2 separate reservations for flights on airlines other than WN, you can interline check your bag. You must have a print out of your connecting confirmed flight for the agent to do this, though. I often have people ask me to do this who only have their info written out on a piece of paper in their own handwriting. Can't do it then. I must see they have a confirmed reservation.