Help with International Flights

That seems like a really convoluted itinerary - 2 connections to Copenhagen? I'm not anti-third party bookings by any means, but you have to really stay on top of any schedule changes with all the legs because if one is off, you'll miss the connections for sure. And I'm not sure Expedia will notify you...some airlines are really bad at this too (I've had it happen with a code-share flight through Toronto). Next time, I would opt for a cleaner itinerary (and try to book directly with the airlines)...you probably got a great price but at the cost of 2 connections which shouldn't be necessary flying from a place like Chicago. Do you have Iceland Air or WOW (or other budget carriers) there? I've been through Helsinki Airport, very nice and easy to navigate.

It must have been a cheap fare with all these connections.
I have found SAS reasonably priced from ORD to CPH

Yes, we are travelling with friends, and they insisted on this because it was less expensive. It's been more than 24 hours since we booked, and in hindsight I wish we had just said we would meet them there.

And I did just realize that the first flight is British Airways, operated by Finnair. It appears British Airways is on the Air Baltic list, maybe that helps? I'm kicking myself for agreeing to this.... who do you even check-in with on a codeshare flight? I always thought it was the first airline listed, but on our itinerary it does say airport check-in with Finnair. I am so confused=(

I would take all luggage as a carry-on...there's too many cooks in this kitchen and hard to assess who's responsible for what. With code share flights, it gets even hairier. I'm not sure you'll be able to get assigned seats until 24 hours before the flight (that's not a biggie for me, but it is to some folks).

I think Agnes has nailed it: You really must do carry-on only. That itinerary looks like a recipe for disaster to me, but what's done is done. At this point it's all a matter of risk-mitigation. I recommend traveling with printouts of flight options in case you miss a connection.

If you do carry on, this will be a breeze. (Well, not really, but easier than with checked bags.)

At ORD--check in with Finnair. If you have checked bags, have them checked as far as you can. I'm going to suspect that's Riga. If you can print your boarding passes at home, do so. If not, Finnair should at least give you them for the first two flights.

At HEL, you will go through passport control (entering Schengen). The flight from HEL-RIGA will be operated as a Finnair flight.

At Riga, you will not have to go through immigration. If you couldn't get your bag checked through, you will have to retrieve it and then check in with Air Baltic. If they said in Chicago that they would check it through the entire way, cross your fingers, and just go to the next gate.

At CPH, walk off the plane, get your bag and enjoy Copenhagen.

You should have enough time at both HEL and RIGA for the layovers assuming your arriving flight isn't late.

And now you know why I never fly with friends to most places. I always arrange to meet them there.

Oh, just because it was booked through Expedia does not mean it's one ticket. Let's hope you don't have to find out.

OP, the last time I traveled with friends who insisted on the least expensive flights, it was a nightmare of connections. Of course, THEY were the ones who complained the loudest. Carry on your luggage and pack lots of patience.

You might want to check with Expedia and see what it would cost to switch to the non-stop from Chicago-to-Copenhagen, if possible, and meet your friends there. Essentially you have 3 separate tickets booked on one Expedia transaction.

If going with Plan A, check with each of those airline sites to see what their requirements are for dimensions for your carry-on suitcase. You don't want to be required to gate-check and have delays. Look up the airport maps on-line, so you're familiar with where to go when you arrive at each one.

Thank you Frank II, that help tremendously! Yes, we have learned our lesson, and are trying to look at it as an adventure at this point, lol. It would cost over $600 in just change fees for BA, so that's not going to be an option. I'm hopeful its all booked on one ticket, because when I login to Finnair under one confirmation #, I see all three flights.

How many record locator numbers do you have? If you have one record locator, it's one itinerary. The best thing to do is call Finnair, tell them the situation, and ask what happens if you miss a connection. I don't think you need to worry about Helsinki- it is very easy to navigate and it prides itself on being a quick layover airport. I have not been to Riga but since it's Schengen to Schengen, transfer time should be quick provided your connecting flight is on time.

If I had two connections, I would carry on, regardless of layover time. Too many opportunities to lose a bag! But check the carry-on requirements for all of the airlines. For Finnair, the size allowance is comparable to domestic travel but total weight must be under 8 kg or 10 kg for business class.

EDIT: Also, it is going to be Finnair that operates the flight from Chicago to Helsinki. AA/British Airways/Finnair are all a part of the One World Alliance so that flight will be listed under all of them. The key phrase is "operated by". That means you are leaving out of Terminal 5 at O'hare which can get pretty busy and have slow lines. They also don't have a precheck line. And many of the international airlines make you check in at the counter even if you are carrying on. So I would allow the recommended 3 hours.

its good u can afford to go.

What an odd remark.