Does anyone have experience with this request. I am flying to Dublin from the USA in Indiana. I had to book the flights on two tickets, one tix from Indiananpolis to Philly, then a connection from Philly to Heathrow to Dublin. My question is this, because American Airlines and British Airlines are "partners" in the whole "oneworld" network will I be able to check my bag for the entire trip and pick it up in Dublin, with AA transfering the bag to BA before I leave Philly? Curious if anyone has had experience with this. I realize if I had purchased one ticket for the whole trip they would transfer automatically, but will they do it on request if you have two tickets on the "oneworld" network? Thanks!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
The traditional answer was yes, due to interline agreements. Although some carriers have been changing their policies, I think you are covered for this particular pairing because they are OneWorld partners. I'm actually taking that answer from various web blogs such as this one dated 2014, when American made that change; I've never flown American myself.
Posted by
USA
211 posts
Not 100% sure, but I would think not, since they're 2 separate reservations. If both legs were on one ticket, then it wouldn't be a problem. Give AA a call to check for sure though.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Call them and ask !!! The rest of us are only guessing. With current security protocol I might be nervous to think that they would do that since it is two tickets. What the airlines don't like is carrying luggage for passengers who are not on the airport. They used to think that you would not blow yourself up but that thinking has changed. The bigger question is why did you book it that way. I am sure it would have been cheaper to book one continuous ticket.
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
I've done this - American from Chicago to NY then British or Iberia to London or Madrid. Bags checked through, boarding passes issued together. But these were bought as one ticket. My guess is because these were purchased separately you may have trouble getting them coordinated. Call customer service and see if they can be linked in the system?
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
Are the two flights on the same reservation number? Two tickets is vague - but even if two separate transactions they should be able to check them through to your final destination. Definitely call AA and ask
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14738 posts
Well, for what it's worth there was this post on the Trip Advisor Air Travel forum recently about OneWorld partners ending this service as a requirement altho it appears it can be done at the discretion of the airline.
Posted by
PA
2857 posts
Also curious why you are flying through Heathrow. American has a daily non-stop between Philly and Dublin (and it's on an Airbus 330 with 2-4-2 seating, as opposed to BA's 3-3-3 777s.)
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Pam, glad you found that report!
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5457 posts
BA have already indicated that they won't any more interline on two separate PNRs, even if both flights are on BA. Here though you need to determine the policy of AA. So far they have indicated that they will continue to do so but things could change.
Note that on this itinerary you will go through immigration in London and Dublin. Checked bags will go through customs in Dublin.
Posted by
OP
bedford, indiana
459 posts
thanks for the inpute, I hoped to gather some experienced information before making the call to AA and BA, not real hopeful they will transfer the bags but have a 2:20 minute connection in Philly so hopefully that will be enough to collect my bag, check in at BA and go thru TSA chek..dj