Archived Thread

NFT: Travel Question - "Connecting" in Frankfurt

Anando : 6/27/2022 12:48 pm

Hey BBI community,

So - this Wednesday evening I'm traveling from JFK to FAO (Faro, Portugal).

My wife and I have TWO DIFFERENT tickets:
JFK -> FRA on Singapore Airlines
FRA -> FAO on Lufthansa

~2 hours between arrival and departure times (cutting it close, I know).

I've done this once before, but my goal to save time/effort is to have Singapore Airlines in JFK to check our bag "through" - i.e. to have our checked luggage with both the tags for Singapore and Lufthansa flights.

I've had success with this once before when airlines are part of the same alliance, which these two are.

My question - in the event I'm successful, will I still need to grab my bag in Frankfurt and transfer it to another belt? Or will it go automatically?

Will I still need to do immigration or security? Or again, would I be able to skip that until I reach Portugal since I'll be leaving from the same terminal, and am flying internationally again

Any help would be appreciated!!

Even transfer..

FatMan in Charlotte : 6/27/2022 12:58 pm : link

flights have to go through passport control. I think you'll have to re-check bags, but I'm not sure. It has been a long time since I've connected in Europe with checked luggage

Unfortunately, my colleagues said that Frankfurt last week was very short-handed resulting in long wait times at their main security. I don't know if that extended to arriving flights. I just recently returned from Europe and the passport control areas moved smoothly, while the main security was really bogged down.

Good news is that you won't need to go through main security - just passport control. As for the baggage issue, I don't know for sure. I think you'll have to claim and re-check, but not certain.

If you're just transiting there, then your luggage automatically gets

Optimus-NY : 6/27/2022 1:13 pm : link

transported to your next airline. Call the airline to make sure though. Your post wasn't clear about that.

RE: If you're just transiting there, then your luggage automatically gets

Anando : 6/27/2022 1:29 pm : link

In comment 15742016 Optimus-NY said:

Quote:

transported to your next airline. Call the airline to make sure though. Your post wasn't clear about that.

Thanks - basically I bought two separate tickets. It is technically not a "connecting" flight on one ticket with a typical layover.

Based on what I can see on Singapore Airlines, given that it's a partner airline (Lufthansa) for my second leg, they should be able to check the bags all the way thru

You need to call the airlines Anando regarding the bags.

Optimus-NY : 6/27/2022 1:34 pm : link

Connecting flights never require you to go get your bags. And make sure your passports are all up-to-date, along with anything else your destination and airline requires.

You need to check, but most times two separate tickets means

PatersonPlank : 6/27/2022 1:46 pm : link

you need to pick up your bags (at least in my experience).

Careful....and a suggestion

dannysection 313 : 6/27/2022 2:22 pm : link

I did this once (first flight landed in London/Heathrow) and it was a mess...I had to go thru immigration to get my bag, I ended up missing my flight from London home that night, and it was an expensive mistake.

Here's a suggestion...Don't check a bag....just take one carry on bag.

Before you say this is not an option (and I don't know how long you are traveling for), my wife and I were in Europe for 4 weeks last fall and managed with a carry on each only.

You can bring also (and stuff full) a backpack (to go under the seat in front of you).

It can be done, lot's of You Tube videos on packing for numerous weeks with just one carry on.

The airlines are crazy these days, I wouldn't count on any degree of efficiency from their end and two hours is not much.

Good luck, enjoy, and remember, as long as you have your wallet and passport, the trip can continue!

From what I remember from years ago....

Kev in Cali : 6/27/2022 3:39 pm : link

I think if you have to clear customs, you need to pick up your checked bag(s), and walk through the process line.

It's been a while since I've flown, but I used to travel a lot overseas. You may not have to reclaim bags on the way out, but I'd guess coming back to US you will have claim and recheck. It's worth a phone call, or two, just to clarify.

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions/guidance!

Anando : 6/27/2022 4:16 pm : link

Both Germany and Portugal are in the EU,

Section331 : 6/27/2022 5:13 pm : link

so you shouldn't have to recheck your bags once they leave JFK. I would send them to your final destination, you shouldn't have to handle them until then, but I'd confirm that with the airline attendant.

London Heathrow is a mess

Optimus-NY : 6/27/2022 5:22 pm : link

Worst experience I've ever had in Europe. It was like an episode of "Where's Waldo?" to get from one terminal to another there. I missed my connecting flight, but managed to get on one a few hours later. I never had that problem in Germany, CDG, Milan, or Belgium. Fuckin' Brits.

Smallest windows I had were in Milan and Heathrow

Optimus-NY : 6/27/2022 5:31 pm : link

Milan held the plane for me. Literally. Heathrow was a disaster. My flight arriving to London was late too. Similar situations, but totally different experiences for each. Schiphol in Amsterdam was fun. Did two layovers there and spent a lot of time there each time. Got off at Centraal Station and had me some fun in AMS, lol.