? about connecting flights

[Tigger7570]

Hi:
We're only done 1 stop flights a couple of times, but it was several years ago. We usually take non-stop flights using Jet Blue. I was wondering if anyone has had major problems with their luggage not making it on the connecting flight. I'm looking at Air Tran and Jet Blue. Thanks.

 

[magicaldisney]

We've never had problems with connecting flights. I think the key though, is to make sure you have an adequate connection time. I personally would not be comfortable with a 30 minute layover (but that's just me).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Are you putting together the connections yourself? Allow SEVERAL hours between flights - you will need to get and recheck your luggage yourself.

Or is one or the other airline offering an itinerary connecting with the other airline? In that case, still anything less than an hour (you have to consider the possibility of your first leg being late) puts your luggage's transfer at risk. It'll get there eventually, but maybe not on your same flight.

 

[bradk]

my one issue with JB *ever* was that I took a 1 stop flight to Vegas from JFK via LGB. they assured me my luggage would be transferred over and I didn't need to claim it. turned out, someone forgot to do that and my luggage ended up on the carousel.

had to report it at the office in Vegas, he called, they found it and pulled it and sent it on the next plane and they delivered it to my hotel that night.

going back, didn't have the problem.

 

[bavaria]

If you are booking a flight via one airline the airline will not book anything shorter than the 'legal connection' time for that airport. It varies by airport.

If you are booking two legs seperately on two different airlines, refer to katieelder's post.

I have had luggage delayed by a day due to a short connection - my first flight was delayed and my 'legal connection' at LAX of 90 minutes became 15 minutes from international to domestic. Luckily I know that airport very well and was able to run through two parkades and clear security in time to make my flight; several others on that flight did not make it. On landing I knew that my luggage hadn't made it so I went straight to the United baggage office to make arrangements.

 

[drew64]

Don't do it!!
Connecting flights between carriers is usually no problem because they have interline agreements and the first airline will check you bags all the way through for you.

This is not the case with so called "low cost carriers" such as JetBlue, southwest, etc. They do not have baggage interline agreements with other carriers.

You would need to collect the bags from baggage claim, go up and check-in all over again for the connecting flight with your bags and go back through security. You would need to allow a good 1.5 to 2 hours for this.

Jetblue is fine for nonstop or direct flights, but if you need to connect use legacy carriers with interline agreements - Continental, American, dElta, etc.