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Connecting flight from Florence to US

I have always flown home from Italy without a connecting flight within Europe so I do not know the details of the transit.

What I am interested in is details about what happens with my luggage.

My flight plan includes departure from Florence connection in Amsterdam then on to Seattle and ending in San Diego. So if I check my luggage initially in Florence through to San Diego what happens to it when connecting in Amsterdam? Do I have to pick it up and go through security there and then recheck? I know I will be doing that in Seattle prior to traveling on to San Diego I just dont know about the European connection.

Appreciate any information.

Posted by
23178 posts

As long as it is one ticket, it doesn't make any difference. In Seattle you will claim your luggage to go through customs but that is easy and quickly rechecked.

Posted by
156 posts

Thank you for replies.
I am traveling on one ticket, Delta. So sounds like I do not have to pick up the checked bag in Amsterdam is that correct? I just need to make sure they tag the bag to my final destination. I do know that I have to pick up and clear customs in Seattle which I am not concerned about. I am just concerned re the inter Europe connection as the time is really short for some reason.

Posted by
8377 posts

Your bag doesn't need to go through security with you. Just you.

Posted by
2267 posts

Surplus to the question, but while you won't have to deal with your bag in Amsterdam, you, yourself, will have to go through a passport control check there as you exit Europe.

Posted by
6175 posts

Another thing you didn't ask about, but Florence has a small airport and you might look at other airports in the area as well. The closest being Pisa, but also Milan and Venice can be good options.

Posted by
156 posts

Thank you for your replies
I’m hoping passport control goes smoothly but I guess will be whatever it is at the time

I’m leaving via Florence as closest to my last stop
I’m kinda curious about the airport
Delta didn’t have any flights from Pisa which was the next closest airport

Posted by
243 posts

I would suggest having a ride to the Florence airport rather than dropping a rental car there. The traffic engineering must have been done after the consumption of a considerable amount of wine. It is impossible to be in the proper lane at the right time despite the best efforts of your phone or GPS. You just have to put on your turn signal and pray for mercy that someone will let you in the correct lane.

Posted by
304 posts

Daughter/SIL departed Florence back in September. They reported it is a small airport and departure was easy. When I arrived in Florence I was amazed that there were only three baggage claim carousels. (They returned earlier than me; I went on to Rome and returned to the US out of FCO).

As others have noted: your baggage will be checked through to San Diego, but you will need to retrieve it at SEA in the customs area, then re-check it. The re-check process is taking your bag from the customs area to the re-check area and either putting it on a belt, or handing it to an attendant who will put it on a belt. No need to go through the whole initial checkin process.

Transiting Amsterdam you will go through passport control, since you are leaving the Schengen treaty area. They stamp your passport is about it.

Posted by
156 posts

Thank you for all the info all good to know
Thinking bus or taxi (if I feel like a splurge)
To the airport from lucca.
I realized after two trips driving in Ireland that I will leave the driving to someone else

Posted by
15560 posts

Is Bologna very far from your last stop? It's a bigger airport than Florence; you may find a better connection. Other than that, my advice is to make sure you get all your boarding passes when you check in and ask the agent to tag your luggage as "priority" or "Short connection".

Posted by
3067 posts

Although Florence is a small airport, it often takes a while to get checked in.
I’ve flown out of there a number of times and had to wait in lines a long time.
They never seem to have enough desk agents!
I flew from there last month and was very glad to be there earlier than the recommended two hours before my flight.
They had one desk open at 7 am for three flights.
Eventually two more agents showed up.
You want some time for your last Italian coffee before leaving!

As far as getting there, bus or train from Lucca would be easy.
I believe there is a bus from Lucca to the Florence airport.
If your flight is in the morning, you may want to stay in Florence the night before.

Posted by
156 posts

Good idea about tagging the luggage priority or short connection. I didn't know that you can ask for that.
Also good to know about being extra early for the Florence check in. It's good to get that little extra tip regarding an airport you have never been to.
Thank you for the tips really appreciated.

Posted by
2274 posts

Good idea about tagging the luggage priority or short connection.

Highly doubtful you'll get priority luggage tags without status or an upgraded ticket. As for short connection, that is a airline tag printout utilized by many airlines - how that notation gets handled on the ramp, is a different matter.

Posted by
3067 posts

I always take a photo of the tag the agent puts on the bag.
And of the bag itself.
Take it before the bag disappears down the belt.
I don’t know if it would help if the bag was lost, but it makes me feel better!

Posted by
156 posts

I have taken a picture of my bag in the past in case the bag is lost (but not with the bag tag included). I have had to use that picture when my bag didn't make it to Palermo. Didn't seem to expedite their "finding" my bag as I didn't get it till 3 days later, but I did get it for which I was greatful.
I will take it with the tag on this time.