Caribbean - AC-LI connection in ANU

I need to travel YYZ-EIS return and there are two main options:

1. AC-LI, connecting in ANU.

2. AA connecting once on mainland USA and then SJU.

Option 1 is a more efficient route, but AC is unhelpful regarding the specific logistics. Could anyone provide advice regarding:

1. In ANU, each way, do I need to collect my checked luggage, clear customs, and then check in with the next airline (LI for ANU-EIS on the way there and AC for ANU-YYZ on the way back)? Or will I and my luggage be checked all the way through YYZ-EIS and then EIS-YYZ, so it is an easy transit in ANU?

2. AC will sell me the full ticket, with the LI legs included. I assume that I can check in online with AC for the full route YYZ-EIS. For EIS-YYZ, can I check in online for the full journey with AC? Or do I need to check in at the airport with LI and they will issue an AC boarding pass for ANU-YYZ? What happens if I check in online with AC for ANU-YYZ?

Thanks for any advice, especially if someone has already gone through this journey!

I need to travel YYZ-EIS return and there are two main options:

1. AC-LI, connecting in ANU.

2. AA connecting once on mainland USA and then SJU.

Option 1 is a more efficient route, but AC is unhelpful regarding the specific logistics. Could anyone provide advice regarding:

1. In ANU, each way, do I need to collect my checked luggage, clear customs, and then check in with the next airline (LI for ANU-EIS on the way there and AC for ANU-YYZ on the way back)? Or will I and my luggage be checked all the way through YYZ-EIS and then EIS-YYZ, so it is an easy transit in ANU?

2. AC will sell me the full ticket, with the LI legs included. I assume that I can check in online with AC for the full route YYZ-EIS. For EIS-YYZ, can I check in online for the full journey with AC? Or do I need to check in at the airport with LI and they will issue an AC boarding pass for ANU-YYZ? What happens if I check in online with AC for ANU-YYZ?

Thanks for any advice, especially if someone has already gone through this journey!Welcome to FT!

I have flown this route, or variations of it, as I usually visit EIS on buisness 1-2 times per year. Personally I prefer going via SJU as there are many more flight options in and out of EIS.

I would be very surprised if you are able to obtain an LI BP from AC. I would also be equally as surprised if you are able to check your bags through to your final destination, in either direction.

ANU is compact and fairly easy to navigate. Arriving in ANU, there are two doors: right is for transit PAX, left is for arriving PAX. Becuase you need to collect your bag, go left, clear immigration, collect bag, clear customs, exit, turn right, walk 60-70 m to the LI counter, check-in, walk half-way back to customs, (you will not need to pay departure tax b/c you are in transit), turn left, immigration, security, you are now in the gate area. Listen carefully for your flight. They will announce twice: first is to clear security; second time is to walk past duty free into the actual gate area.

Your return trip EIS-ANU-YYZ will be very similar to what I described above. The one possible variation is that if you have carry-on only, you may be able to use the transit counter to collect your LI BP. Dont be surprised if your bag is checked at this point, or at the door of the a/c. LI uses DH-1's and there is very limited on-board storage space.

I hope this is useful.
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13F

PS If you do OLCI for ANU-YYZ, you will still need to go to the AC counter to drop your bag.

PPS The airport in EIS is not one of my favourites. Checkin, queuing for the departure tax, and security all seem to be painfully slow. Give yourself more time than you think you will need for such a small airport. There are washrooms in the gate area, but nothing else.

PPS The airport in EIS is not one of my favourites. Checkin, queuing for the departure tax, and security all seem to be painfully slow. Give yourself more time than you think you will need for such a small airport. There are washrooms in the gate area, but nothing else.

i've shown up 2 hours before, with status, and have still missed my flight while waiting in line.

Thanks so much for the helpful advice--very much appreciated. I sent the same query to LI and AC. LI has not (yet?) replied. AC shows that they do not know and do not care:

"Your baggage should be tagged for your final destination, Tortola, when you check in in Toronto and therefore there should be no need for you to collect bags and clear customs in Antigua as you are connecting with the same airline (LI) from Antigua. You are able to check in online for all Air Canada flights 24 hours before departure. I hope this helps."

Thanks again for your time and help!

I will likely be visiting EIS, ANU and SXM on business sometime in Feb. Safe travels and enjoy your trip.
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13F