I've got a flight in a few weeks from the US to Dublin (on Aer Lingus), then in Dublin I change to another airline to continue to the UK. Does anyone know if I have to collect my checked bag and re-check it in Dublin (and/or go through customs/immigration)? I'm not sure if Aer Lingus will check it the bag through all the way, since my second flight is on a smaller, regional airline.
You can call the Aer Lingus US 800 number (check their website for which number to use) and ask. We have a US to Dublin flight and then a separate Dublin to Germany flight this summer, both on Aer Lingus, and they said they could send the baggage all the way through if I called them before hand. Four years ago we had to pick up our bags and then re-check them.
Hi, Suzanne. Did you purchase them together as one purchase? Then you're pretty much good to go. Very rare that an airline wouldn't transfer with a codeshare.
If you purchased them separately, then it's your responsibility to get the bags to the other airline. (Some airline will agree to help - but that's pretty hit and miss.)
If you're worried at all, a call to the airline won't hurt. :)
If the airline taking you to the UK is a discount airline, then you will have to recollect your luggage. Discount airlines don't handle luggage transfers from other airlines.
Thanks everyone for your help. So, it seems I will need to collect everything and re-check my bag. This is a pretty good argument to fit what I need into one carry-on (it's only a 1-week trip) to avoid the luggage collection rush.
Thanks again.