Interlining baggage AA-EZY, misconnections, customs & minimum connection times in MAD

cinereus

Departing from BOG and arriving on a AA flight into MAD with separate ticket booked for EZY outgoing to LGW 3.5 hours later.

AA have informed me they can't inline baggage so I have to pass customs in MAD.

a) is 3.5 hours enough to connect to my EZY flight?
b) My reading of the EU regs is unclear - in the event AA flight is delayed and I miss my connection, is anyone responsible for the missed flight or am I screwed?
c) if so, how long is reasonable to leave for a connection?

callum9999

cinereus wrote: »

Departing from BOG and arriving on a AA flight into MAD with separate ticket booked for EZY outgoing to LGW 3.5 hours later.

AA have informed me they can't inline baggage so I have to pass customs in MAD.

a) is 3.5 hours enough to connect to my EZY flight?
b) My reading of the EU regs is unclear - in the event AA flight is delayed and I miss my connection, is anyone responsible for the missed flight or am I screwed?
c) if so, how long is reasonable to leave for a connection?

I assume you're connecting in the States then? Or are you actually flying on Iberia with an AA codeshare?

a) It should be more than enough, with a big proviso that if your incoming flight is any more than 1.5/2hrs late then you'll start cutting it very fine.
b) No-one would be responsible. AA flights into the EU aren't covered under EU261, but even if they were it's done on a per-ticket basis so they won't be responsible for you missing any flights on other tickets.
c) 3.5hrs is reasonable, but not ideal. I would risk that connection and you're more than likely to make it, but as said above, you're on your own if you don't.

cinereus

Thanks for the reply. Connecting in the States on AA from BOG to MAD (I assume inline is fine for this). But this connection is on MAD and yes, it's an AA flight codeshared and actually being run by Iberia.

So there's really no-one who is responsible? I thought the EU regs included any flights in or ex-EU as well as EU carriers? The alternative was an extra ~€50 and 8 hours added to the layover so I risked it.

No history of flight delays from into MAD having regular delays (I guess cos Iberia fleet > AA fleet) but I guess I need to find insurance that covers it then if the alternative is that grim.

callum9999

cinereus wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Connecting in the States on AA from BOG to MAD (I assume inline is fine for this). But this connection is on MAD and yes, it's an AA flight codeshared and actually being run by Iberia.

So there's really no-one who is responsible? I thought the EU regs included any flights in or ex-EU as well as EU carriers? The alternative was an extra ~€50 and 8 hours added to the layover so I risked it.

No history of flight delays from into MAD having regular delays (I guess cos Iberia fleet > AA fleet) but I guess I need to find insurance that covers it then if the alternative is that grim.

So who are you actually flying with? BOG-USA with AA then USA-MAD with Iberia? In which case, EU261 would apply as you're flying with Iberia not AA. They still have zero liability for getting you to MAD in time for the Easyjet flight though. You'll get the standard compensation if you're more then 3 hours late and it's their fault, but that's it.

Easyjet's missed flight insurance would have been perfect but if you've already bought the flight I don't think you can get it any more.

bagand96

So there's really no-one who is responsible? I thought the EU regs included any flights in or ex-EU as well as EU carriers? The alternative was an extra ~€50 and 8 hours added to the layover so I risked it.

American (or Iberia if it's their aircraft) have no responsibility regarding your easyJet flight to LGW. Your contract with AA is for transport to Madrid. Your onward arrangements with easyJet are completely separate.

Airlines are only responsible for connecting flights on the same booking. I.e if you'd booked a through ticket from Madrid-London (on BA or Iberia) on the same booking as your flight from BOG then they would be responsible.

I would think 3.5 hours will be fine as long as the transatlantic flight is on time or within an hour.

Caz3121

cinereus wrote: »

So there's really no-one who is responsible? I thought the EU regs included any flights in or ex-EU as well as EU carriers? The alternative was an extra ~€50 and 8 hours added to the layover so I risked it.

you could check your travel insurance policy and see if they cover missed connections but, as stated, you have 2 separate contracts. The risk is that you miss the Easyjet flight and need to buy a new ticket

jpsartre

As other have said, EU regulations are irrelevant as you've booked separate tickets. Note though that easyJet offers what they call a "rescure fee" which means that if you miss your flight by less than 2 hours they will rebook you on the next available flight for a £60 fee.

Voyager2002

cinereus wrote: »

Connecting in the States on AA from BOG to MAD (I assume inline is fine for this).

You ALWAYS have to clear Customs and Immigration when arriving in the USA, so will need to collect your bags; take them through Customs and then check them in for your flight to Madrid.

whatmichaelsays

Voyager2002 wrote: »

You ALWAYS have to clear Customs and Immigration when arriving in the USA, so will need to collect your bags; take them through Customs and then check them in for your flight to Madrid.

This is probably a bit of an elephant in the room.

How long is your connection in the US? Customs and Immigration can be an absolute nightmare and can take hours.

If that happens, AA will put you on the next flight to Madrid with no problems, but that will create issues for your easyjet flight.

Doshwaster

I didn't think EZY, as a budget airline, would interline baggage with anyone. Ryanair is the same.

richardw

3.5 hours may be ok, but not if the AA flight is late.

Perhaps buy another later MAD-LON flight as an insurance, or an Iberia Express MAD-LGW flight with whom AA may interline your baggage with.