Baggage checking in times

[Booldawg]

I'm flyling to the US this year and have got an in-direct flight as its cheaper. I'm flying from Gatwick to Newark and then from Newark to Washington. The time difference between landing at Newark and then flying on to Washington is only 1 hr 30 mins. Would I need to reclaim and check-in my baggage for the connecting flight or would they simply transfer my baggage from one plane to the next? On the way back its even tighter - only a 50 minute interval between connecting flights.

[vehelpfulguy]

Well I hope none of your flights are delayed as you have not left yourself much time between flights.

[Booldawg]

It was all booked via a travel agent, they dictated the times to me so it must be a usual occurance?

[dzug]

It's the US of A. You clear customs and immigration at the first point of call so you will have to go through immigration, collect your baggage, take it through customs and recheck it.

If you are ticketed through it will already be tagged for Washington so all you have to do is sling it on a conveyor belt outside customs and make your way to the onward flight.

Coming back your baggage will be transferred for you - again assuming through ticketing.

If you are not through ticketed - no chance. If you are it's the airline's responsibility to get you another flight if it goes wrong.

[dzug]

If it's a travel agent booking and they have observed the minimum connecting time for the airport then the airline are responsible. If they haven't you may have a problem. If they've used the arline's booking engine it shouldn't allow them to book a short connection.

For NWA it's 90 minutes outward (so you are OK) and 75 return (so a problem). However other airlines may vary - NW were the first one I could find online.

[Booldawg]

Thanks dzug, thats put my mind at rest. I guess flight delays are the only worry but Newark to Washington is only 300 miles, i'd drive it if worse came to worse.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

dont let all the others worry you,if you are flying with the same airline on both flights your luggage will be checked through to your flight for you,if you think you will be late,because of customs etc,just speak to one of the customs officer and explain your problem,and they will help you through,they did for us,and we had no problems.

[dannydingbat]

Flights from the UK to US will have to have luggage checked by customs at the first point of entry. It may be checked through to the final destination but will still have to be collected and taken through customs AFTER going through immigration and then resubmitted to the system. Having had access to main checked luggage, the passenger will then have to go through another security and search check before going through to the departure gate.

[spudqueen]

A couple of years ago I flew American Airlines to Chicago and then on to Louisville, Kentucky. I collected my case from the carousel at Chicago and had to take it through customs but there was then an American Airlines baggage place who took it off me for the onward flight to Louisville. On the way home my luggage was checked all the way from Louisville to Manchester.