Missed connection with different airlines because of baggage delays

NicRW

Looking for some guidance, on the return leg of my hols my virgin atlantic flight landed but the bags took 2 hrs to come at Heathrow.  Connecting flight back to Scotland was missed, both airlines weren't interested and had to book new flights to come home.  Travel insurance is now dragging their heels because the delay was on the return journey - anyone else had similar experiences and have advice on how to claim back some of the costs

Voyager2002

Were the two flights on different tickets?

eskbanker

NicRW said:

Looking for some guidance, on the return leg of my hols my virgin atlantic flight landed but the bags took 2 hrs to come at Heathrow.  Connecting flight back to Scotland was missed, both airlines weren't interested and had to book new flights to come home.

This suggests that you were collecting the bags from the carousel at Heathrow before dropping them again with the domestic airline, rather than having the bags checked through end-to-end, which implies two separate bookings rather than one joined-up proper connection?

If so, then it's unlikely that either airline will be liable to reimburse anything, but if you feel your insurer should be on the hook then you'd need to study the relevant policy wording to counter their argument....

Westin

There is always a risk when you book two unconnected tickets. A delay to the first flight, border security delays, baggage delays - all can happen and with an unprotected connection you are on your own for the rebooking of onward travel.

daveyjp

The potential savings made by booking two trips is compensation.  This time the gamble didn't pay off.

Hoenir

How much time did you allow between the scheduled arrival time and the check in closure time of the departure. 

Caz3121

I suspect, if not covered by your insurance policy, you are going to have take the loss yourself.
There is a risk with booking separate tickets and usually 4 hours+ is suggested between flights to build in some contingency. How long had you allowed?