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Baggage question - Redmond OR to LHR

Facts:

1. Flying out Tuesday on an unexpected trip for a funeral in Oxford. Normally we travel with only a carry-on each. This time we need to take hubby's suit, his dress shoes, my dress, nice shoes, etc. We plan to check a 'too-large for carry-on suitcase' with our 'normal stuff' for hiking and sightseeing after the funeral. We will use a carry-on for the funeral clothing plus a couple changes of clothes.

  1. All our flights are paid for with miles/points. None of them are round trip. We fly from Redmond, OR to SeaTac on Delta and change to British Air for the direct flight to Heathrow.

Question: Can we check our bag in Redmond all the way to Heathrow (different airline)? Or do we need to go to baggage claim in SeaTac, pick up our bag and then go to the BA check-in desk? That would necessitate another trip through Security.

We called Delta today and was told NO, must go to baggage claim, drop bag at BA desk and go back through Security. Do you agree? Thanks for your insight.

Posted by
17563 posts

Delta told you NO and that is the final (and correct) answer. It is consistent with what I know of British Airways and their interline policy for baggage. They are not partners with Delta.

Posted by
572 posts

I am assuming these are separate tickets, since British Airways and Delta are not partners / not in the same airline alliance.

If so, unfortunately you will have to do exactly as you say, i.e. pick up the bag in Seattle and re-check it. BA will not "interline" (transfer the bag between flights) luggage on separate tickets, I believe even if the two separate tickets are in fact both BA flights.

In this case, when you check in in Redmond, Delta won't even be able to "see" the BA flight to Heathrow so your luggage is going to get tagged with a SEA destination; you'll have to get them re-tagged for LHR in Seattle.

Posted by
11609 posts

Since they are not partners you must get your bag and recheck it with BA. If you were flying the first leg on American, on one ticket with BA, you could check it through.

Posted by
17563 posts

British Airways will not even check through bags from One BA flight to another BA flight, if they are on separate tickets.

But as long as you allowed a reasonable amount of time between the flights, you should be OK. The bag should be waiting on the carousel when you get to baggage claim; pick it up and take it to the BA desk to check. And then find the shortest security line.

do you have TSA Pre?

Posted by
59 posts

Thanks everyone. I realize the Delta response was correct--I was just trying to find a way around "NO". We will pick up the bag in Seattle and take it to the BA desk.

Deb