Luggage on a flight with a change: you need to know that

Have you booked a change of flight and are concerned about your luggage? In this practical tip, we explain everything you need to know and consider.

Change due to a stopover - what happens to the luggage?

There are often stopovers, especially on longer flights. Since you can't just wait on a plane, you have to go into the so-called transit area.

• Even if you book a direct flight, it doesn't have to be a non-stop flight. Again, be prepared for potential boarding and disembarking from the aircraft. But don't worry, the transit area is usually well signposted.
• Long-haul flights in particular almost always have stopovers. However, these are always stated when booking, at the latest on your boarding pass at check-in. If you are not sure, you can always ask the airport staff for advice.
• If you book several flights, you will usually receive all boarding passes at once, one for each flight. The respective gates and your seat are indicated on these. However, always pay attention to the departure boards if a gate should change.

What does my luggage do with all the changes?

You do not have to check out and check in your luggage every time you make a stopover.

• As a rule, your luggage flies to the final destination, sometimes even in another plane. But only at your destination, when you check out yourself, will your luggage appear at the baggage claim.
• However, there are exceptions: If you have a longer stay of more than 24 hours, you usually have to collect your luggage and check it in again before continuing on.
• Another exception is for a domestic flight. In the USA in particular, it is customary for your luggage not to be checked through to the final destination. Before you fly domestic, you and your baggage must check out and back in again.
• If you are not sure, you should always ask the staff. But these exceptions are usually communicated to you at the counter.
• If you leave the airport during the stopover, inquire about a visa. An appropriate visa is essential, especially outside of Europe. In some countries, however, there are so-called on-arrival visas, a kind of temporary residence permit for the time of your stopover.

In the next article we will explain what it means when the pilot announces "Jim Wilson"