connecting flights

dann2000

Hi ,
myself and family are travelling to Orlando next month via Washington (IAD) next month. Having never been on a connecting flight we are a bit worried about our luggage. We are flying United Airilnes and land in IAD at 11.30 and take off for Orlando at 13.24. Does anyone know if this leaves enough time to collect our bags and then check in for the connecting flight? Or if the bags are automatically transferred onto the next flight?

Any help is gratefully received

Thanks

Dann

tobago22

Is the Washington-Orlando flight also United Airlines?

Smiley_Mum

I reckon you should be ok, the flight may come in early? I haven't been to the States since 9/11 happened and I guess there will be a lot more security checks etc. It seems like there is enough time but I'd get hold of a IAD map to familiarise yourself with the layout of the place etc before landing so you know exactly where you need to go beforehand. Have a good trip.

I was going to ask about the other carrier being a UA flight too?

balsingh

Your bags will automatically get transferred ... I've been on flights with a 45min gap between the connection and everything has gone swiftly.

black-saturn

Your bags will be given a barcode when you check in and you wont have to do any luggage carrying yourself after that. They do it all for you :T :beer:

dann2000

The first flight is United the second from Washington is TED, which is a sister company of United ( I think)

tobago22

Dont assume bags will automatically be transferred unless travelling with the same airline eg British Airways will NOT transfer to Virgin If it is a sister airline there should not be a problem

magentadreamer

As washington is your port of entry into the US you will have to reclaim your luggage to go throw customs -you'll also go throw imigration at Washington as well. Did you buy the connecting flights as part of a package ie all in one go? if so you'll be ok should you miss the orlando flight. If you booked them sperately ie flight to Washington then the flight to orlando then it is your responsibility. I'm going to Orlando in May via Chicago with BMI and have a two hour stop over - the last time I went via Chicago to Pittsburgh -I ended up on the tarmac at Heathrow for two hours -missed the connections but the airline got us on the next one ok. On the way back you'll be able to check your baggage right throw to the UK

dann2000

Both fights have been booked as a package through Travelpack

pin

Were the flights booked as part of one ticket? If this is the case they will be checked in from London all the way through to Orlando.

One thing though with flying into the States, you have to do immigration at your first boarding point (which is unlike most other countries, where it is done at your final destination). This means you will have to line up for US stamps in IAD. Once you have done that you need to collect your bags and drop them off again (but you don't need to check them in again).

magentadreamer

Then you'll be ok should you miss the connecting one due to delays.