American Airlines

[solanasunshine]

We are flying with AA for the first time in October, flying to Orlando via Chicago and then back to Manchester via Boston.

Can anyone tell me what happens to your luggage when you land at Chicago/Boston? Do you get it back and then have to check it in again yourself or does the airline transfer it for you?

I've looked on previous threads but can't seem to find an answer.

Thanks, Gill

[Rhosyn]

When we landed in Chicago we went through imigration, picked up our luggage went threw passport control and then handed it back in.

[blott]

You have to collect your luggage to go through Customs but it will be tagged to Orlando already and you just hand it back in at a special transit desk - no checking in queues again as you'll already have your boarding passes for your next flight.

The bonus is that, when you arrive in Orlando, there's no Immigration or Customs to go through and you can go straight to collect your rental vehicle.

On your return journey, you check in your luggage at Orlando and don't see it again until Manchester. Again, you'll have your boarding passes for your next flight.

We've flown AA quite a few times now and they're very good.

[Robert5988]

Post above is still the situation at Chicago. Clear Immigration - pick up luggage and go through customs - hand it in AA facility immediately past customs. You then transfer to another terminal with your cabin luggage, a small train just like the one at Orlando. At new terminal you go back through security. Although it seems complicated it is really very straightforward.

Coming back at Boston you don't see your luggage. You arrive at the same terminal and it is just a matter of walking from one gate to the next one.

Your flight out is on a 763(767-300) and back on a 757.

EDIT - Blott our posts crossed - I hate to see the same information posted time and again!!!

[CarolAnn]

We did a journey with AA via Chicago to Orlando a few years back. All luggage transfers were as described. No problems at all. The only think that still stands out in my mind was how large an airport Chicago was!!! I did think the AA flight was one, if not the best flight I had been on to be honest. Wish they flew direct into Orlando[msnsmile2]

[tezz7628]

dont forget your flying through different time zones (central and eastern) [msnwink]

enjoyed my time through chicago, straining at the leash deciding to visit city but only had 4 hrs stop over so went looking round all the terminals instead

must have been round oct/nov time so flew from orlando in the sun to the snow of chicago on return to uk

[Katys Grandad]

The current hand baggage situation may well be resolved by then but there are different restrictions on the outbound transatlantic compared to the internal leg. Some people appear to be checking all their baggage on the transatlantic but only some of it on the internal sector, allowing them access to carry on items.

In fact, a lot of people who are used to only taking hand baggage aren't 're-checking' it at all before the internal leg and taking it on board. Obviously these people are the quickest away from the airport at Orlando.

[solanasunshine]

Thanks for your replies, you've put my mind at rest.

Gill