When your flight has a layover - how does that work? This is the 1st time I've had to deal with a layover!!

Question

I've flown once before, but it was a non-stop flight both ways. This time, the only choice I have is to have a layover on the way to my destination (in Charolette, NC for about 90 minutes). I guess my question is this: when I get off the plane at Charolette for my layover, do I need to go anywhere to check in for the 2nd part of the trip? I'm assuming I have to go the check-in counter, that only makes sense, right? Do I need to get my bags, or will they be taken care of? Is there any way to make sure that my bags did get on the plane, so I won't have to deal with lost luggage?

I would rather not ask someone there because I don't want it to sound like I don't know what I'm doing. Silly, I know.

Answer 1

First of all, don't feel silly about asking when you get to the airport. Anyone there will be more than willing to help you out and trust me, they have heard much "sillier" questions ;-)

With a layover, there really is nothing special you need to do. The airline will transfer your luggage from your first flight to your second flight. There is nothing you need to do. If you have any carry-on bags you do need to take care of those yourself.

You may consider looking up a map of the airport to see approximately how far you need to go to get to your next flight. 90 minutes is plenty of time to get there, but it is always a good idea to know ahead of time. If you have a delayed flight coming, it can make the layover more difficult and the airlines doesn't have to wait for you to arrive from your other flight. So, if you are delayed, you may have to run!

Once you get off the plane you need to head to your next terminal. Once you get there you can talk to the person at the desk and let them know you are there. Then, you are free to do whatever you want. There are usually little stores and restaurants you can go to while waiting. Just be sure to watch the time so you don't miss the flight, that can be a mess. Also, if you can, avoid going outside of the airport or past security. Once you leave that area you will have to go back through security, and with 90 minutes it will take up a lot of your time.

Don't worry about the layover, there really isn't that much you need to do. Everything will go just fine!

Have a great trip!

Answer 2

Most of the time, if you are travelling on the same airline and just changing planes, you simply leave the gate when you get off of your first flight and report to the gate for your second flight. They'll usually be in the same terminal or concourse so you won't have to go through security again (unless you choose to leave the secure area), and if they're not on the same concourse/terminal, the airline will usually have a shuttle. If you're flying an International flight, you'd have to claim your luggage and clear customs if you're already in your destination country but apart from that, your bags will be transferred for you. You don't need to go to the ticketing counter again--- when you check in for your first flight, you'll get your boarding passes for both flights. And don't be afraid to ask--- lots of people are not frequent travellers and don't know the routines. The gate attendants are used to this kind of question and are happy to help you!

As far as missing bags... it's out of your control so don't even worry about it. The bags show up after you do and load in while the passengers are loading in, so the gate attendants don't have any way of knowing if your bags are 100% for sure there or not. Bags don't get lost all that often--- it sounds like they do because people talk about it a lot, but that's just because it's a horrible experience. I'd definitely recommend bringing a change of clothes in your carry-on but that's just "insurance." I've had my bags get "lost" once (they showed up 2 days later) and I've taken over 150 flights.

Answer 3

Once you are check in at your origin you are checked in all the way to your destination and your bags are tagged through as well. You will no have to reclaim them or be re-ticketed. You will receive both boarding passes if your connection is less than 6 hours. You DO NOT have to check in at the gate, your seat is only given away if you do not board the plane when called and its time to close the flight.

When you arrive at your connection, check the monitors to make sure your gate has not changed. The gate assingnment will print on your boarding pass. The ticket agent will either put them both on the outside of the ticket jacket or your first flight inside and connection on the inside. Just pull out the connection boarding pass inflight or when you land. Check the gates and then go there. Gates can and do change and can even change at the last minute, so stick close to the gate area, or keep checking monitors if you wander around.

Your bags will be transferred, but unfortunately there is no way to guarentee they will be loaded on the flight. You will only know when you arrive and your bags show up. Connections do sometimes cause delays in baggage and they will arrive on the next flight and be delivered to you should this happen. The only guarentee an airline is held to is getting you, the passenger to your destination and not necessarily on time. That is worse case scenario though.

Grab a bite to eat, get something to drink. The only time you will need to check in at the gate is if you transfer airlines that are not connected to each other. The ticket agent will let you know. Never be afraid to ask, that's what we are there for. Trust me, there are more people who dont fly often than regular travelers. Never be afraid to ask for directions. You can check in at the gate, but all the gate agent will do is look at your boarding pass, make sure its in the right place in your ticket jacket and tell you to wait for boarding. Boarding starts 30 min before departure and last call is at 15 min before departure, so make sure you stick around the gate area in that time frame.

You'll be fine...feel free to ask any agents any questions you have. No question is stupid trust me, we've heard it all.

Answer 4

Hi there! I've done a layover once before when going to London from Atlanta. You get off your plane, and go to your gate. They should have your information there, and you just need to let them know you are there so they don't give your seat away. But you don't need to go outside the terminal, you'd have to go through security again, what a pain. :) Good luck and have fun on your trip! (PS-the flight attendants will be glad to help you out as well if you still feel confused by the time you land)

Answer 5

Depends. Check your tickets and see if you have to change planes. That is a clue to get off the first and find another gate to get on the other flight.

If it is the same flight, airplane, and gate, then just hang around in the immediate area and wait for reboarding.

Usually, you will recieve your boarding passes at the first checkin. If that didn't happen, then don't be afraid to go to the desk and ask. Asking beats missing your plane.

Answer 6

You will not have to check in again or claim your luggage. When you check in originally, you will get your boarding passes for all connections and your luggage will be transferred. That is why they put the barcode tags on your luggage, so they know which plane to send it to. When you get at your connection city, you will just need to check the monitors to see which gate and or terminal you need to go to. If you need to go to a different terminal, then check the gate numbers at that terminal. They usually tell you the gates on the planes before you get off.

Answer 7

your bags are transferred for you, you just need to find the next gate for your departing flight it wouldn't hurt to talk to the person at the counter but you shouldn't have to be reticketed