I have flight on United from Newark NJ to Athens with a change of planes in Munich. I have 1 hour 15 minutes to change planes. I have gotten conflicting information from airlines. I was told that my bags would be tagged to m destination and I would only have to clear immigration and get on connecting flight. Then I was told I would have to get my bags at baggage claim and re-check bags. I contacted Munich airport and they told me 1 hour and 15 minutes would not be enough time to do this. I called Lufthansa (my connecting flight) and was told yes since United and Lufthansa are partner airlines the bags would be checked thru. Has anyone had this issue and were your bags checked thru. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7509 posts
You bought the ticket as a single trip correct? (Round trip Newark to Athens probably) If so, then as Lufthansa described, you will fly into Munich, go through Immigration, then proceed to your connecting gate. You do not recover your bags, they are checked through to Athens, you do not need to go through Security again, you stay "Airside". Further, since the connection is made through the partner airlines, they have determined you should be fine getting to your connecting flight. If something were to occur that causes you to miss your connection, they will get you on the next flight. My experience is that trans-Atlantic flights tend to arrive early, up to a half hour.
Now, if you for some reason bought a Ticket from United to Munich, then separately bought a ticket from Lufthansa, then you need some more guidance.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you Paul, yes my ticket was from Newark to Athens. I appreciate your help I feel a lot better
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Paul is correct. When you check in at Newark, make sure your bags are tagged ATH. You will then not see them until Athens.
Posted by
NH (USA)
1157 posts
Paul has it right but it's good to double check just for your own piece of mind.
When you check in at Newark Airport more than likely your check-in person will tell you your bags will be going straight through to Athens where you'll pick them up. If not, just ask and they should tell you they are.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7509 posts
Someone can maybe correct me, but the only thing you may want to watch is that airports vary on whether you go through a single immigration point, or if you split off into an in-transit line and an arrival line (London splits, Amsterdam splits) but I do not recall how Munich is set up. The last time I was there was to head into Munich, but I seem to recall everyone went through the same immigration check. Certainly pay attention to signs, but maybe someone else has specific info.