It depends. If both airlines are on the same ticket (same alliance or not), there is a good chance your bags will be checked right through to your final destination. If they are on separate tickets, you (probably) will have to collect and recheck your bags between flights.

Whether an airline will transfer your bags to another carrier in 2026 depends entirely on your ticketing and "Interline Agreements." If your entire journey is booked on a single ticket (even if it involves different airlines like Delta and KLM), your bags will be automatically transferred to your final destination. However, if you have booked separate tickets (e.g., flying BA to London and then easyJet to Paris), most airlines—including British Airways and American—will not "through-check" your bags. In this scenario, you must collect your luggage at the first airport, clear customs if necessary, and re-check it with the next airline. Some "full-service" partners in alliances like Star Alliance or Oneworld may still allow bag transfers on separate tickets at the agent's discretion, but the industry standard in 2026 has moved toward a "one-ticket-one-bag-path" policy to reduce liability and tracking errors.

Excellent question! The short answer is yes, but it depends entirely on the specific circumstances of your ticket.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of when bags will and won’t be transferred, and what you need to know.

When Bags ARE Typically Transferred (The Ideal Scenario)

This happens when you have a single ticket for your entire journey, even if it involves multiple airlines.

• On a Single Ticket: You booked one itinerary (e.g., “New York to Tokyo via Chicago”) with two airlines, but it was all purchased as one transaction. The airlines have an interline agreement.
• Key Factor: Interline Agreements: These are commercial contracts between airlines that allow them to accept each other’s tickets and baggage. Most major full-service airlines (e.g., Star Alliance, SkyTeam, Oneworld members) have these with their partners.
• What Happens: At check-in for your first flight, the agent will tag your bags all the way through to your final destination. You will collect them only when you arrive at your last stop. The airlines handle the transfer behind the scenes.

Example: You book a single ticket on United Airlines’ website from Austin to Paris, with a connection in Newark on United, then a flight from Newark to Paris on its partner, Air France. Your bags will be checked through to Paris.

When Bags Are NOT Transferred (You Must Collect & Re-Check)

This is crucial to understand to avoid missing connections.

1. On Separate Tickets: You bought two completely independent tickets (e.g., a ticket on Southwest Airlines to Chicago, and a separate ticket on Delta from Chicago to London).
   • Reason: The airlines see these as two unrelated journeys. They have no responsibility for your connection or your bags on the next ticket.
   • What to do: You must collect your bags at the baggage claim after your first flight,