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 need to recheck your luggage depends on your destination and the nature of your connection. If you are traveling on a single ticket (PNR) with a through-check, your bags are typically tagged to your final destination, and you won't see them at your layover. However, there is a major exception: International-to-Domestic connections. In many countries, most notably the United States, you must collect your luggage at your first point of entry to clear Customs, even if your bags are tagged to a further city. After passing through customs, there is usually a "Baggage Recheck" belt just outside the hall where you simply drop the bag back off. For "Domestic-to-International" or "International-to-International" connections (outside the US), you generally stay airside and your bags are transferred automatically. Always check the "Final Destination" code on your luggage tag at the first check-in counter to ensure it matches your trip's end point.