Flight connection GLA-LGW-MCO

aldo560

Just wondering if anyone could please help me out with this query?

I am looking to book flights to orlando in May (departing glasgow)
I have came accross the following flights

Thu 8-May-08 Glasgow (GLA)
Depart 09:05
Terminal M to London (LGW)
Arrive 10:30
Terminal N 345 mi
(555 km)
Duration: 1hr 25min BA
Flight: 2957
3Economy/Coach Class, Snack, Boeing 737-400
London (LGW)
Depart 12:45
Terminal S to Orlando (MCO)
Arrive 16:55 4,336 mi
(6,978 km)
Duration: 9hr 10min VS
Flight: 15

now the problem is, would i have to collect my luggage from the first flight and then have to check it in again, as its a different airline

(the first time i went to orlando 2006, i travelled glasgow - amsterdam (KLM) and then amsterdam - orlando (martinair) and the luggage was checked all the way thru) so i'm confussed if they done it because klm/martinair are part of the same company


any help would be greatly appreciated

Incapuppy

I don't know about the luggage thing, sorry, I just wanted to say if it was me I would want to leave more time between the connecting flights since it is a different airline. However, I am probably too over-cautious, hopefully someone with much more experience will be able to advise.

dmg24

Are they being booked on the same ticket?

aldo560

thanks for fast replys :A

yes they are being booked via expedia

dunk

We went a couple of years ago to vegas
edinburgh - london (BMI)
london to vegas (American Airlines)

We checked our luggage in at Edinburgh and didn't see it again until we were at Vegas.

Flights were all on one ticket

Hope this helps

alanrowell

As it involves a BA to VS flight - no chance

bagand96

I thought BA and VS did have interline agreements? They certainly have done in the past. (Despite all the hoohah in the press and what Branson likes to shout about, on a day to day operational basis, BA and Virgin can and do help each other out). It all depends how it is ticketed, whether Expedia are just booking you on the BA flight then the VS flight, or whether both appear under one reference

I think the only peeople to give you a definate answer on this would be British Airways, as they would be the ones checking you in at Glasgow so would have the power to do the through-check or not. Try speaking to the BA desk at Glasgow rather than there main customer services.

aldo560

thanks guys

had a look on BA website (dont want to leave it till i turn up at the airport ) for a contact email so that i can ask them , but it seems impossible to find one

also i am not sure i should really mention virgin, maybe best something along the lines of,

"i have a connecting flight with another airline, and would my bags be checked thru to my final destination"

probably a long shot but i am worried that the connection time wont be long enough.

once again thanks for your comments they are very much appreciated

bagand96

To be honest I think it would be better just to give them a call, and actually speak to someone so you know where you stand, it will be simpler and easier than an email that probably gets bounced around BA head office for days before being answered.

I'd try calling their main customer services line, and also call Glasgow Airport and ask to speak to the British Airways desk/office to see what they say (BA at Glasgow will be the people checking you in so I imagine they would be the best to speak to, but also phone head office for clarification). Also speak to Virgin Atlantic, as it may be them that ticket the trip, they also may be able to give you an answer.

Also,I'd personally not advise you to be vague with the question. Just say it how it is; you want a straight answer afterall. "I am looking at a flight that is BA from Glasgow to Gatwick, then Virgin onwards to Orlando. Can I through-check my bags". If you ask the question "another airline" the chances are the BA customer services will say "which airline", they'll need the information to give you an answer...

Finally, its worth noting that Virgin Holidays often sell holidays from Glasgow, which require you to fly down to London to join the Virgin Atlantic flight. And guess what? The GLA-LHR/LGW part is on BA. If Virgin holidays are selling GLA-LGW on BA to connect with a Virgin flight, then i'm sure BA and VS will have an interlining agreement at Gatwick and Heathrow.

Incapuppy

Is it just me then that would be far too anxious to leave a couple of hours gap between connecting flights in this instance? What if the flight from Glasgow was delayed for a couple of hours? Out of interest - would Virgin be honour bound to put you on the next flight to Orlando?

bagand96

Incapuppy wrote: »

Is it just me then that would be far too anxious to leave a couple of hours gap between connecting flights in this instance? What if the flight from Glasgow was delayed for a couple of hours? Out of interest - would Virgin be honour bound to put you on the next flight to Orlando?

It depends. If it were two completely different flights, i.e. I had to collect luggage from flight A, then go to check-in for flight B, go back through security etc, then yes, I would also be anxious. However, if it was a connecting ticket, with luggage through checked, and all i had to do was go to the transfer desk at Gatwick, then I wouldn't consider it a problem.

With regards to Virgin being honoured to put you on another Orlando flight, it depends on what type of ticket it was. if you booked GLA-LGW on BA's website, and then LGW-MCO on Virgins, then no, two completely separate flight. However if the whole lot is done as a single ticket that has been issued by Virgin, then i assume they would. Also a point the OP may want to clarify with BA/Virgin/expedia.