O.K. Simple, silly question... I've done this before, but I can't recall what I did... We will get our boarding pass, online for our flight across the pond (first leg). We will have a short layover, then get on another airlines' plane (codeshare, if it makes a difference), to complete the journey. I'm guessing we will need another boarding pass for the 2nd leg of the flight? Do we just go to the gate to get it? Or will it pop up with the first boarding pass when we check in online? Thanks!!!
Sue if its a connecting flight w/ the same airline, they should print a 2nd boarding pass at the 1st destination.
They will tell you if you need to check in again, but its a slim chance you will.
If you are taking 2 different flights (non related) then you will need to collect your bags at the 2nd location and check in.
If the connecting flight is with the same airline or a partner you will usually be get both boarding passes when you check-in with your first flight. If not, then after you land you just head to a transfer desk. If the connecting flight is is with a separate airline, that is NOT a discount airline, you also head to the transfer desks for your boarding pass, and your checked luggage can usually be "tagged" to your final destination so there is no need to recollect it. If you are using a discount, you need to go to the immigration check, collect your luggage, exit the terminal and proceed to the check-in desk for your next flight/airline.
You should be able to get everything at your first airport. As a general rule, if all your flights are on a single itinerary (with a single airline confirmation code) you only have to check in once. If you want to be sure, check in at the airport instead of online since an agent will have more ability to get you everything you need.
To give you an example of how this can work, years ago my mother and a friend traveled from Portland to Italy via Seattle and London-Heathrow. The flight to Seattle was on Horizon while the other two were on British Airways. Since the two airlines are partners, they were able to check in at the Portland airport, get all their boarding passes and not worry about their bags until they got to Italy.