Do I need to self transfer luggage on a connecting flight?

In most cases, if you have a connecting flight with the same airline or a partner airline, your checked-in luggage will be transferred automatically from one aircraft to the other. This is known as interlining or through check-in.



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If your flights are on the same ticket (which means you have a stopover along the way) then you need not to worry about collecting your baggage and getting it checked. If your flight is booked separately then your luggage will not be transferred and you will have to do it yourself.

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If you checked a bag, you'll have to collect it from baggage claim from the international flight. You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight. Finally, you'll need to go through Transportation Security Administration screening.

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Self-transfer (or self-connection) is another word for an unprotected connection. It means that, instead of having a ticket from A to C via B, you have two separate tickets, one from A to B, and one from A to C. Your baggage won't be transferred, you will need to go landside and back airside to collect and re-check it.

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Connecting flights with full service airlines are a safer choice. Yes, if it's airline transfer - you get a new flight for free. If it's self transfer - you don't get a new flight.

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Yes, a security check is mandatory when you take a connecting flight. This is because there is a time lag between getting off one aeroplane and getting on-board another to reach your destination.

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Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

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It can take as little as 5 minutes or as long as 90 minutes depending on a multitude of factors as well as the motivation of the baggage runner. Airlines are aware of tight connections way before the plane hits the ground. Whenever possible, an expedite runner is sent to connect Shocons (short connections).

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Factor in a minimum three-hour window when flying to high traffic airports or traveling during peak days or hours. It's also important to know if you have to exit your terminal, collect your bags, and go through security again. If so, it's best to add another hour cushion for self-transfer flights.

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If you're transiting, you're staying put in the same airport, and your luggage is taken care of. But if you're transferring, you might need to switch airports or terminals and possibly deal with your luggage. Staying in same airport for next flight. Switching flights or airport for next flight.

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If you have checked baggage, you must recheck it between flights:
  1. Collect your checked baggage at the transfer airport. ...
  2. Leave the transit zone and take your baggage to the check-in counter (or baggage drop) for your next flight.
  3. Go through security and customs to the gate of your next flight.


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If you have booked a connecting flight, in most cases your baggage can be checked through to your final destination. That means your baggage will automatically be transported to your destination airport without you having to do anything when connecting to another flight.

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The customer will be advised by Qantas staff at check-in. If connecting from an international flight through to an Australian domestic flight, you will need to clear customs and collect your bags at the first international point.

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Delta Airlines will automatically transfer your luggage to your connecting flight. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule: If your connecting flights are on different airlines, you will need to pick up your luggage at the first airport and recheck it for your connecting flight.

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What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

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You might have to go through customs during a layover, especially if your layover is in the Schengen Area (which consists of most countries in the EU). For example, if your final destination is Paris, France, but you have a layover in Madrid, Spain, you will actually go through customs in Spain, not France.

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How do flight connections work? Generally, if you are on an internal flight, once you land for your stopover, you will pass through the transfer area that will take you to the gate for your next flight where check-in is not required. Your bags will be passed on to the next flight without you having to pick them.

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You will need to re-check your bags if you are arriving on an international flight and connecting to a domestic flight. In this case, you need to collect your luggage, go through customs and then re-check your luggage back with the airline.

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Avoid booking self-transfer flights if your layover is less than 2.5 hours. My first flight from Catania to London ended up getting delayed by around an hour, which meant I missed the next flight to Edinburgh.

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