When travelling abroad, with more than one flight involved, is it ALWAYS possible to send your baggage direct?

Question

When I was travelling from Dublin to Banjul the other day, I was asking for my luggage to be sent directly to Banjul, rather than having to check in my luggage again at the airport of transfer (Brussels). for the first time, in my many years of travel, the check in agent abruptly told me it wasn't possible. No agreement between Aer Lingus and Brussels. I queried ... in that case, how was it possible for me to send my luggage directly from Banjul to Dublin on the Journey out? How was it possible for me to do this last year? Was this check in agent telling me the truth, or was she being awkward? I'd like to know the score.
thanks.

So many good answers! Thanks everyone for answering

Answer 1

was this on two different airlines? or the same airline?
sometimes the first carrier doesn't have a inter-line agreement with another airline
(like in the US southwest doesn't interline with anyone (other ATA)
so its possible you are taking two carriers
if its the same airline';ask for a supervisor
then

Answer 2

Since last year security has supposed to have been tightened and it is now supposed to be illegal to send luggage anywhere without the owner accompanying it due to the terrorist threat.
Besides I think its best to know that your luggage is just a couple of feet below your backside than spending your flight wondering if your holiday is going to be ruined because your luggage has gone missing god knows where in the world.
All the best,
BEANS.

Answer 3

if you are making more than one flight in the trip flying on the same airline, or flying on an airline which has a load /code/revenue sharing or partnership agreement then you can through check your luggage.
however if the airline is different, or not part of a sharing group then each flight is treated as different and you cannot through check luggage.

sometimes airlines have private arrangements with airports (usually this is going tobe at their national hub, so flying to Brussles on Aer Lingus is unlikely to throiugh check luggage, unless you onward fligth was within a revenue sharing or through ticketing arrangement.
such groups include
"one world" (British Airways, Quantas, Amercian)
"star alliance" (BMI, Lufthansa etc)
..not sure of the precise details of which airline comprise which network

examples of these realtionships include
if you fly to the Carribbean then British Midland have code sharing arrangement with (I think its) LIAT, so if you ownward flight is with LIAT then you can through check luggage on LIAT flights, but not if your next flight is Carribbean star.

Answer 4

Sorry I cant give you an exact answer but I was under the impression that no case or bag travelled without the owner being on board. This is to prevent a bomb being stashed and the terrorist escaping at the changeover airport leaving everyone else to perish. I wouldnt travel with any airline who carried unaccompanied baggage.

Answer 5

If it's the same airline then you check your luggage through. if it's not the same airline then no you can't.