Saturday, August 21, 2010

Connecting Flights/Boarding Passes/Baggage

Connecting Flights/Boarding Passes/Baggage?
Alright, so I have several questions here as I've never done this before (never had to take connecting flights or anything)..... I am a Canadian flying Buffalo - Atlanta - Madrid - Ibiza and back in a couple of weeks. I booked with an Air France flight number, however, Delta operates the flights from Buffalo - Atlanta - Madrid and Madrid - Atlanta Buffalo meanwhile Air Europa operates the flight from Madrid - Ibiza and Spanair operates the flight Ibiza - Madrid. Because these are all codeshare, you must comply with the operating aircrafts carry-on limits (I am trying to ONLY go carry-on - my carry on fits all dimensions with ease). Delta only has a size limit which is fine however Air Europa and Spanair seem to be confined to 10 kg of carry-on bagged (approx. 21-22 lbs). What would be the chances of me having to check my baggage if I'm picking up the connecting flight? As well, these flights were bought at once and all on one ticket. I've heard that you can get all of your boarding passes from your very first check-in airport (e.g. Buffalo) if they are the same airline. With the exception of the Buffalo-Atlanta and Atlanta-Buffao (which I originally booked as an Air France flight number but had to change to strictly a Delta flight number), everything was booked at the same time. Now, with that being said, Spanair has its own separate flight number going from Ibiza-Madrid but, as stated previously, was booked on the same ticket as all of my Air France flights. Would I still be able to print all of my boarding passes from Buffalo at once or will I have to keep re-checking in and printing new boarding passes at each airport? I've heard so many different things from "only if it is the same airline" to "only if it's all booked on the same ticket" (which it is all booked on the same ticket). There is also the self check-ins at the airport - if I use these, would I be able to avoid having my carry-on baggage weighed? I am super nervous of me ending up in the right location but my baggage doesn't - I don't mind if I have to check it coming home however if my baggage is lost on the way to my destination, I have an issue! That is a great detailed answer and has put to rest some of my fears. The last thing I want is to be ready to board and then be told "ohh no you can't have that bag on the plane - you have to check it". When I went to Cuba I checked-in online but couldn't print my boarding pass (system was down and my printer decided not to work as well). Because it was to 1 destination I didn't mind checking my bag. Time to navigate some airports!
Air Travel - 1 Answers
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Once you are in the secure area with a carry on bag, it is highly unlikely that anyone will stop you to weigh your bag unless you end up in a check-in line again. Usually, the U.S. airline can check you in for up to the first overseas stop. I am guessing you will be able to check in for as far as Madrid then will have to check in again for Ibiza. The airports in Spain are pretty efficient usually, and you will probably find a transfer desk or airline person inside the secure area who can help you check in for the last segment. I would try checking in online 24 hours before departure at home. You may have to use multiple airline websites. Start with Delta and see how many boarding passes they will give you. A good clue would be to log in online to view your itinerary and see how much it shows. Try to get seat assignments while you are at it, if you don't have them already. If you can't see the whole thing, try the other airlines' web sites, Air France and Spanair. You can usually use a ticket number if you don't have the other airlines confirmation number. Or you can call the other airline and ask them for the confirmation number for their airline. Yes, using an automated check-in would help you avoid having some staff person tell you to check your bag.

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