Time & Customs for a connecting flight

Malta is a member of the Schengen Agreement, so you will have to go through Immigration (passport check) in Rome. Customs (the stuff you are bringing with you) will be in Malta.

Hi Michael: Thanks for the information. That should make things a little easier. Have you had any experience with having your bags checked through when chaning airlines (i.e. flights on two separate tickets)? I'm pretty sure I can get my boarding pass for Air Malta before I leave Canada. I'm thinking that might help but I am not sure. Any thoughts, suggestions would be appreciated.

You're welcome. In regards to the bags it's hard to say, Air Malta isn't a member of the Star Alliance like Air Canada is, which would make a big difference. You should call Air Canada and ask.

Yes, I will have to do that. The crazy thing about this is that might flight was booked with Luftansa but is being operated by Air Canada. I know that Luftansa has a baggage agreement with Air Malta but I don't think Air Canada does. Makes it pretty crazy. :(

Agree you should check directly with Air Canada. Most airlines have interline agreements, even those that are not members of the same alliance. As long as they have this agreement, you should be able to get your bags ticketed to Malta (upon presentation of your ticket, as you said). Then, as already said, you would go through immigration (passport) in Rome, and customs (possessions) in Malta. Your connection may be tight even with your bags tagged to Malta, depending on how long the immigration line in Rome is. See if you can do online check in and print out your boarding pass for your second flight before you leave home, so you can save at least some time. I'd also make sure to take 2-3 days of clothes in your carry-on, just in case you make the tight connection but your checked bag is a day or two late.

Roger, a 90-minute connection in Rome - where you have to go through passport control, wait and collect your luggage, walk upstairs to the Air Malta counter, stand in line, re-check you bags, go back through security, and run to your gate - sounds pretty tight for any airport... and at FCO, it will be very challenging. Any chance you could do carry-on only? Or send your bags on ahead with a group like Luggage Forward? I ask because if you had your boarding pass, AND you do not have to deal with luggage, you can easily make this connection - if you're first plane is on time. This is because once you clear Passport Control, you could take the Transit Passenger route... stay in the secured area... and simply walk to your next gate. The issue for you is the "luggage" and having to exit and re-enter security, and re-check your bag... which at FCO can be an adventure. Read about getting through the airport and a couple of our experiences at FCO: T3 Arrivals, At the FCO Airport (Again), and Another Chaotic Morning at FCO. Good Luck!

Hi Harold & Ron: Thank you for the excellent information and tips. I have already booked my Air Malta flight so I should be able to have my E-Ticket and Boarding pass when I get to the airport in Toronto for my check-in with Air Canada - if I complete the web check in before going to the airport. It is my hope that I will be able to get my bags checked through to Malta and then I should be ok as I will just have to go through Passport Control and find my way to the Air Malta check in. Ron, you said that I would need to go upstairs to get to the Air Malta counter. Will I be arriving and departing from the same terminal - Terminal 3? If so, that will be helpful. Further, will I be arriving on the lower level and going upstairs to get to the Air Malta counter? I've heard that Air Malta uses the same check-in desks as Luftansa. Should I look for Air Malta or Luftansa when checking in?

Roger - if you can get your bags checked through, you can just use the transit option and stay behind security... walking 10-15 minutes to your next gate after clearing Passport Control. But if not, and you have to re-check you bag, then yes, you will arrive (eventually) in the lowest level of T3 - level 0. You'll go up one floor and look for your FLIGHT # on the TV monitors. Each flight is referred to a specific counter or set of counters. You'll go to that counter # and check your luggage and then run for security.

Hi Ron: Thanks again for all the information and tips. I have enjoyed reading about your experiences at FCO :) I hope I will be able to check straight through although I have yet to speak with Air Canada. I'll try to do that today. My challenge with the bags is that my original booking was with Luftansa which has a luggage agreement with Air Malta - so that should have been quite simple. However, my flight is being operated by Air Canada and they don't appear to have a luggage agreement with Air Malta so I'm not sure if I'll be stuck or not. I'm hoping for the best :) Should things not work out, is there any service in Rome that could deliver my luggage from FCO to MLA for pick up? Thanks again,
Roger