Advice on connecting flights...bit confused!!

[FPL]

We are travelling to Orlando from Heathrow with american airlines and stopping in Miami. We have a stop of about 2.5hrs each way. Both flights are american airlines.

I was lead to believe that we checked bags in at Heathrow and they went all the way to Orlando and we didn't have to collect them at Miami and check them back in.

I've been reading a few threads which say that I would probably go through immigration at Miami not Orlando....but I thought you normally get off plane, collect bags, go through immigration and out........so am I wrong and I do need to collect my bags, but do I then have to check in again.....I'M SO CONFUSED!!!!!

Any help gratefully received - will phone airline obviously nearer the time too!

 

[richard_andmel]

I've done connecting flights in 3 different airports and have always had to retrieve my bags and go through immigration/customs and hand the bags back to airport staff after.

Mel

 

[ford family]

When you check in at Heathrow your bags will be tagged for Orlando (MCO).
When you arrive in Miami you first of all go through immigration.
You then collect your bags from the carousel.
You go through customs.
You then re-deposit your bags at a common point for them to go to the connecting flight for which they are already tagged.
You then go through security and proceed to the departure terminal/gate for the MCO flight.
At MCO you are now a domestic arrival so you go straight to baggage reclaim and then leave the airport.
On the return flights the baggage is tagged for LHR but you do not need to collect it at Miami as there are no formalities to go through and the bags are transferred automatically onto the London flight.
Hope that helps.

ford family