When layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.

Whether you can retrieve your luggage during a layover depends on your ticket type and the layover duration. If you are on a single ticket with a short layover (usually under 12–16 hours), your bags are typically "through-checked" to your final destination and stored securely by the airline; you cannot access them. However, if you have an overnight layover exceeding 12 hours (United) or 16 hours (American), some airlines may require you to collect your bags. If you want your bags back for a shorter layover, you must request "Short-Checking" at the initial check-in counter, though this is at the airline's discretion and not always possible due to security rules. If you booked separate tickets on different airlines, you will almost always have to collect your bags, clear customs, and re-check them for your next flight. Always check your baggage tag receipt; if it shows your layover city code instead of your final destination, you must pick up your bag.