Help with flights..

[nervousflier]

Will cut a long story short and hope that any seasoned travellers may be able to help me! And before the suggestions of 'ring the airline', I have already today. However, the lady I spoke to was foreign and we struggled to understand each other so I'm calling out to you lovely lot for some advice

Flying to Florida this week - Manchester to Dusseldorf, Düsseldorf to Newark, Newark to Orlando.
Same airline taking us on the first 2 flights, then a different airline for the last leg.

Once I've checked my luggage in at Manchester, will it have to be collected and checked back in again at Düsseldorf? Or can we forget about it until Newark?

Worried as we don't have much time between flights and will really struggle if there's a delay!

I appreciate no-one may know for certain but hoping someone will have flew similarly 🤞🏻

Oh god a real mixed bah here!

I can ring United today, but would really prefer to get help from them to make this flight rather than pushing for a later on. We're meeting friends in Florida have plans made from Thursday so Wednesday night is (ideally) the latest I can get there.

@Aridane we booked them ourselves the morning TC went bust. Really struggled to get flights but didn't dare wait as per the advice just in case!

OK - was asking who how booked as booking through travel agent like Trailfinders means travel agent remains responsible for getting you there impacts obligation on getting you there if connections fail.

Can I make x2 practal suggestions to make life easier and take the stress off you?

1. Use a specialist luggage courier company NOW to send your luggage to your hotel in Florida. That takes a significant part of the stress off you,

2). Research later Newark to Orlando flights so, if you miss the connection, you know what’s available and with which airline

We flew from Zurich to the Dominican Republic on a tight connection, our bags didn’t make it.
On our return via Newark we had to collect our bags. We had 3 hours or so. It took 45 minutes to get through customs. Then collect our bags and then change terminals and go through security.

Hmm. An earlier poster outlined the rules around codeshare with respect to booking seats and checking bags to your final destination. This works well for many alliance airlines (eg. BA / Qantas). Not to be a Johnny Raincloud but in my experience, Lufthansa do seem to operate to their own set of rules. You 'may' have to collect your bags in Newark and drop them again before the United flight. If you miss the final connection however, the airline will be obliged to rebook you on the next available flight. Newark is not too bad though for collection and re-dropping. Just know your way about - do your research.

@Ariadne and @nervousflier

Sending baggage ahead is a brilliant idea .
We have to take 2 flights to get to a festival next week and two flights back that’s £100 for each case .
Mybaggage collect from house and deliver to hotel and return for £40 .

Hang on I will find website .

Ok DH is off today so will leave him with the job of looking to send the luggage without us!

Would need it picking up tomorrow, will see if that's available...

Try Sendmybag - I’ve used them a few times and they’re always reasonable and really quick!

@nerviousflier
Did your DH get luggage sorted ? I do hope it all goes well for you .

@Trumpton apologies for the late reply!

Had no luck getting organised with the luggage so had to take it with us. Which didn't matter anyway as our second flight was delayed by an hour and a half which meant we landed a few minutes before our final flight departed was all fun and games, not a day I wish to repeat any time soon!

But we got on holiday in the end so trying to make the most of it thanks to everyone who gave me advice/info, it was much appreciated.

Hand luggage - 4 of you take hand luggage only and do a wash out there.

Lufthansa held a long haul connection up for us and a few other passengers previously as it was booked straight through. The Beijing passengers were taken some back way and bought out through the gate where we had to reboard.

Oops sorry, didn't RTFT. Glad you made it :)

Gosh why such a roundabout route to get to Orlando? You've made it more complicated for yourself having only flown a couple of times. Choose more direct flights and cut the stress.

Gosh why such a roundabout route to get to Orlando?
The OP originally had direct flights booked with Thomas Cook...

Glad you made it OP, hope you’re having a good time!

Glad you got their Op, I was coming on to say cancel it as it sounds like the trip from hell!

Whoo hoo ! Enjoy your holiday .