Does Thai Airways Book Luggage Onward With Another Airline

[cheynewalk]

I'm flying from Bangkok to Berlin with Airberlin soon and was wondering if I catch a flight with Thai Airways from Chiang Mai to Bangkok will Thai Airways book my luggage through to Berlin (from Chiang Mai) with the other airline and allocate a seat with Airberlin? My flight to Berlin leaves around 11.00am and the Chiang Mai flight arrives in Bangkok about 8.30am.

I have done this with different airlines before no problems, but perhaps Thai Airways are different.

[Artamus]

Not a problem, but you need to show them a valid ticket for the connecting flight.

[craigt3365]

I've had problems in the past when the two tickets are purchased separately. If done all on one "itinerary", then no problems. If done separately, you might need to recheck in with TA along with your luggage at the connecting airport. Something to ask them about...

[NanLaew]

As stated by Artamus, since CNX is an international departure point, TG should be able to through check your bags provided you have a copy of the Air Berlin eticket. They do it with KLM/Air France passengers. I doubt they can do seat allocation though; that would be done at Air Berlin transfer desk as you transit BKK? If you can check-in online with Air Berlin and pre-select your seat, that may be an option to explore.

All the same, best you contact TG directly and confirm this.

[gopbi]

I've had problems in the past when the two tickets are purchased separately. If done all on one "itinerary", then no problems. If done separately, you might need to recheck in with TA along with your luggage at the connecting airport. Something to ask them about...

This is correct.. by rule, if you're on ONE ticket, that is one ticket number for all the flights, then you are entitled to interlining, which is the formal name of thru-checking your bags..

However, if you are TWO or more SEPARATE tickets, then you are NOT entitled to this thru-check status.

Yes, the first airline could permit and allow your bags to be thru checked, but in the end, it would be at their sole discretion if they'd allow it, and you have no rights to demand such... This is one of the potential pitfalls to traveling on a separate ticket scenario.

So, it really does come down to what is your specific ticketing status.. One ticket or two...

[el jefe]

I've had problems in the past when the two tickets are purchased separately. If done all on one "itinerary", then no problems. If done separately, you might need to recheck in with TA along with your luggage at the connecting airport. Something to ask them about...

This is correct.. by rule, if you're on ONE ticket, that is one ticket number for all the flights, then you are entitled to interlining, which is the formal name of thru-checking your bags..

However, if you are TWO or more SEPARATE tickets, then you are NOT entitled to this thru-check status.

Yes, the first airline could permit and allow your bags to be thru checked, but in the end, it would be at their sole discretion if they'd allow it, and you have no rights to demand such... This is one of the potential pitfalls to traveling on a separate ticket scenario.

So, it really does come down to what is your specific ticketing status.. One ticket or two...

You're certainly right with your first statement, that if all flights are on one ticket, your bags will be checked through.

But even with separate tickets, if the airlines have an interlining agreement, there should be no problem checking bags all the way through to the final destination. I've done this with over a dozen different airline combinations, on two separate tickets. So while it may be at their discretion, they've never turned me down.

[gopbi]

I've had problems in the past when the two tickets are purchased separately. If done all on one "itinerary", then no problems. If done separately, you might need to recheck in with TA along with your luggage at the connecting airport. Something to ask them about...

This is correct.. by rule, if you're on ONE ticket, that is one ticket number for all the flights, then you are entitled to interlining, which is the formal name of thru-checking your bags..

However, if you are TWO or more SEPARATE tickets, then you are NOT entitled to this thru-check status.

Yes, the first airline could permit and allow your bags to be thru checked, but in the end, it would be at their sole discretion if they'd allow it, and you have no rights to demand such... This is one of the potential pitfalls to traveling on a separate ticket scenario.

So, it really does come down to what is your specific ticketing status.. One ticket or two...

You're certainly right with your first statement, that if all flights are on one ticket, your bags will be checked through.

But even with separate tickets, if the airlines have an interlining agreement, there should be no problem checking bags all the way through to the final destination. I've done this with over a dozen different airline combinations, on two separate tickets. So while it may be at their discretion, they've never turned me down.

Yes.. BUT I do think think it's important to distinguish what is your RIGHT and what is OPTIONAL.. Yes, with one ticket it's your right.. With two it's not.. Many will do so for you on a voluntary basis (so long as an interline agreement exists) but your own experiences not withstanding, it's important to remember that in a two-ticket scenario that's NOT a right.

I think that in today's climate of charging for checked bags, that you'll eventually see more consistent enforcement of the thru-check rules as in many cases the voluntary/discretionary interlining by airline #1 directly to airline #2, can subvert the second carrier from applying their bag fees which on a two ticket itinerary would rightly need to be paid by the passenger.

[NanLaew]

I had a similar situation with flights originating in Udon on Thai, onward to Amsterdam on KLM. I called KLM in Bangkok and they assured me my bags could be interlined. I then popped into the Thai local office in Udon and the guy said that it was NOT possible as Udon isn't set up to clear international departures through a second airport. That's the CIP thing at BKK where pax from Samui, Chiang Mai, Krabi, etc., can check in for their entire flight and check bags all the way through and stay in transit airside at BKK as already cleared out by Thai Immigration at their point of domestic departure.

So, the OP should contact Thai in Chiang Mai BEFORE departure and make sure.

[KhunDave]

TG have a board at the international check in desks at CNX which shows the airlines they will interline with. From memory, I don't think Air Berlin are listed. Maybe if anyone is passing through they could take a look?

[wileycoyote]

Do they Interline with Qantas ?

[gopbi]

Do they Interline with Qantas ?

Yes, they have an interline agreement with QF.. So it's possible for TG or QF to 'tag' bags onto flights operated by the other.. However, do remember that this is only a right when both flights are on ONE single ticket.. Airlines may elected to do so when on two tickets, but this is not automatic and you have no rights to demand such.

[wileycoyote]

Do they Interline with Qantas ?

Yes, they have an interline agreement with QF.. So it's possible for TG or QF to 'tag' bags onto flights operated by the other.. However, do remember that this is only a right when both flights are on ONE single ticket.. Airlines may elected to do so when on two tickets, but this is not automatic and you have no rights to demand such.

Thank You gopbi

[raylo]

I've had problems in the past when the two tickets are purchased separately. If done all on one "itinerary", then no problems. If done separately, you might need to recheck in with TA along with your luggage at the connecting airport. Something to ask them about...

This is correct.. by rule, if you're on ONE ticket, that is one ticket number for all the flights, then you are entitled to interlining, which is the formal name of thru-checking your bags..

However, if you are TWO or more SEPARATE tickets, then you are NOT entitled to this thru-check status.

Yes, the first airline could permit and allow your bags to be thru checked, but in the end, it would be at their sole discretion if they'd allow it, and you have no rights to demand such... This is one of the potential pitfalls to traveling on a separate ticket scenario.

So, it really does come down to what is your specific ticketing status.. One ticket or two...

You're certainly right with your first statement, that if all flights are on one ticket, your bags will be checked through.

But even with separate tickets, if the airlines have an interlining agreement, there should be no problem checking bags all the way through to the final destination. I've done this with over a dozen different airline combinations, on two separate tickets. So while it may be at their discretion, they've never turned me down.

As said Only if they have an interlining agreement

Many budget airlines do not have agreements with "major" carriers. Should be in the T's & C's and if so print it out and take it with you for check in. Unless one has travelled that airline combo personally before, you can never be sure and dont take some's word for it.

[Ricardo]

Slightly off-topic, Bangkok Airways have just told me, that they do interline with EgyptAir, I'm flying CNX-BKK-CAI.

[bangon04]

Slightly off-topic, Bangkok Airways have just told me, that they do interline with EgyptAir, I'm flying CNX-BKK-CAI.

You would expect this, maybe because Bangkok Airways has codeshares with THAI, and THAi is Star Alliance with Egyptair.

[zzaa09]

I've had problems in the past when the two tickets are purchased separately. If done all on one "itinerary", then no problems. If done separately, you might need to recheck in with TA along with your luggage at the connecting airport. Something to ask them about...

Decent advice. Never assume that you and the respected airline are on the same page.......

[mikebell]

I booked a ticket from BKK to LAS via Taipei and LAX. The immigration officer at LAX tells me my luggage will NOT go straight through & must be collected. He also tells me that this means I will miss my onward cflight; lose a night's hotel accommodation in LAS & maybe have to re-book a an onward flight to LAS. Welcome to America. I have one hour fifty minutes to clear Immigration. Why can't this be done in McClarren as we are in transit?

[ScubaBuddha]

For what it's worth, as recently as a couple weeks ago I attempted to check backs through with AirAsia. No can do. Tickets were not bought on the same itinerary, not saying that would have definitely changed anything. I don't know.

[highchol]

For what it's worth, as recently as a couple weeks ago I attempted to check backs through with AirAsia. No can do. Tickets were not bought on the same itinerary, not saying that would have definitely changed anything. I don't know.

i have never had a problem with bags being checked through to final destination with thai, however recently when i checked in they asked whether or not my onward carrier was a low cost airline or not? I said they were not low cost and bags got checked through no problem. looks like problems if with low cost airlines!