Changing airlines en route

[tstormdiver]

A buddy & I are traveling to Georgetown, Bahamas in May. We just got our tickets the other day. We will fly Delta from Louisville, KY, to Orlando, FL, to Nassau. At Nassau we will change airlines to Bahamas Air for the last leg of the trip. All the times I've flown, it's been with 1 airline. Is there anything to it? Do we have to get baggage & recheck? Security? Customs? We have a 2hr layover. Is this enough? Just need suggestions to make everything go smoothly. Thanks

 

[DiveMaven]

Did you book through Delta? If they ticketed your flight, then when you check in they should tag your bags all the way through.

However, a lot of folks would tell you that if you're changing airlines, you should always claim and recheck your bags in between to make sure they get on the plane. I'm with this group...

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Did you book through Delta? If they ticketed your flight, then when you check in they should tag your bags all the way through.

However, a lot of folks would tell you that if you're changing airlines, you should always claim and recheck your bags in between to make sure they get on the plane. I'm with this group...

Yup yup! Flew out to the islands a few years back and arrived safely. My gear did not...ended up diving some nasty rental for 3 days until my bags caught up with me. Dont leave it to them, police up your gear and make sure it travels with you!!

 

[tstormdiver]

Good idea. Most of my gear will be carried on, but I will use your idea to keep up with the bags (I don't want to wear the same clothes all week (going on a live aboard). No, we booked through an online travel site. Becuse we have to change airlines, we were issued paper tickets instead of electronic ones, for the trip.

 

[hlcdlc]

Ugh, I live by Louisville and the only thing that flies out of that airport internationally (despite the name Louisville International Airport) is a UPS parcel.

On your return you will have to claim your bags once you hit US soil and then recheck them for the leg back to Louisville, and on the way down you will probably have to claim them in Nassau for the small regional leg. We travel a lot and this has been our experience.

Good luck!

 

[tstormdiver]

Thanks. For the info. Our out going flight goes Louisville to Orlando to Nassau to Georgetown. The return goes Georgetown to Nassau to Cincinati to Louisville (then I have a 2hr drive home).

 

[fdog]

My wife and I fly quite a bit. We routinely through check on flights with a airline change, even if they are not on the same ticket and locator.

Just show your second ticket when checking in for your DL flight. The bag tags will be printed and checked all the way through to Georgetown.

FWIW, we do this when transiting Singapore, Miami, Houston, Detroit, and Seattle, all with no issue.

If you want to, you can deplane in MIA, go outside to baggage claim, pick them up and drag them to your next airline, but it's a PITA supreme.

FWIW, we often transit MIA enroute to Nassau, through-checking, with a airline change just as you describe. Zero problems.

The return is also not an issue. You will have to pass through Miami Immigration after deplaning from your Georgetown flight, then, pick up your luggage and hand carry it past Customs/Agriculture. After passing this, there are baggage conveyor belts for each airline, you just flop the bags down on the belt if you have it checked through. If you did not through check, you will have to find the DL rep and have them print a new tag, a PITA.

Have fun on the trip!

All the best, James

 

[justleesa]

same here, knock on wood, often changed carriers - never lost a piece (only had some damage once).

With 2 hours between flights, you're cutting it pretty close.

Something I do, is take a picture of my luggage before I hand it in (right there on the scale with the person that processed it) and keep it on the camera I'm traveling with. Seems to keep them on their toes and if something does happen you at least have an exact description of your luggage and don't have to bother with the generic form they have you fill out.

 

[tstormdiver]

Heeeeyyy! Good idea. never thought about it. Proof of your luggage........ good idea.

 

[justleesa]

every now and then I do have a good idea