Washington D.C. (including Baltimore) - Transfer UA to Icelandair -2hr 20 min ok?

We are due to arrive at IAD (TPA-IAH-IAD) on UA306 at 6:18pm on May 3. Our connecting flight to Iceland departs 8:40pm.

We will have one checked bag between the two of us, and I booked these flights separately (rewards travel on UA).

Is 2 hours 20 minutes enough time? I've read through lots of threads and I'm not clear on what we have to go through in transit, although it seems we will have to pick up our bag and recheck it. Security again?

I can't even figure out which terminal we'll land in and which one Icelandair departs from.

I'm starting to panic because we're meeting my mother in Reykjavik, her flight arrives from SEA 15 min after ours, and if we miss our connection she'll be on her own for who knows how long.

We are due to arrive at IAD (TPA-IAH-IAD) on UA306 at 6:18pm on May 3. Our connecting flight to Iceland departs 8:40pm.

We will have one checked bag between the two of us, and I booked these flights separately (rewards travel on UA).

Is 2 hours 20 minutes enough time? I've read through lots of threads and I'm not clear on what we have to go through in transit, although it seems we will have to pick up our bag and recheck it. Security again?

I can't even figure out which terminal we'll land in and which one Icelandair departs from.

I'm starting to panic because we're meeting my mother in Reykjavik, her flight arrives from SEA 15 min after ours, and if we miss our connection she'll be on her own for who knows how long.

I can't find quick info on FI either, although I note that according to the FI press release, FI first class members have privileges at the Air France lounge. That is at B46. So, by bet is that the FI flight is out of A or B terminal.

You're coming in on mainline UA which will be parking at C or D. Under normal circumstances, its going to be a bit close (owing to the bag check). If you have any delays out of IAH, its going to be real close.

Given that the FI flight is coming from KEF and returning back to KEF, expect it to be on time. Urk.

You will have to head for the Main Terminal (AeroTrain from C concourse; Mobile Lounge from the D concourse) to claim your bags. United uses baggage carousels 1-5. Then go up the escalator between carousels 4&5 (or take the elevator behind that escalator). Icelandair's counter is just steps away from the top of the escalator. After check-in, the TSA security entrance is just steps away again. After security, take the AeroTrain to the A concourse - Icelandair has used gate A19 in the past.

If the inbound flight to IAD is ontime, you shouldn't have any problems with this connection. In particular, TSA security lines at that time of the evening tend to be short and quick.

(Note that the Air France lounge - mentioned in a previous post - is now located across from A22.)

Thanks for the quick and helpful replies.

I called UA hoping they would allow me to change to one of the earlier flights even though I knew there was no inventory in rewards class. Hey it was worth a try!

However the international reservations agent assured me that United would check my luggage all the way through to Reykjavik. This was info from her supervisor. I'm relieved and happy, but some skepticism remains. I'm going to call reservations tomorrow and get a 'second opinion'. We live 10 minutes from the Tampa airport, I may even drop by and ask at the check in counter.

Thanks for the quick and helpful replies.

I called UA hoping they would allow me to change to one of the earlier flights even though I knew there was no inventory in rewards class. Hey it was worth a try!

However the international reservations agent assured me that United would check my luggage all the way through to Reykjavik. This was info from her supervisor. I'm relieved and happy, but some skepticism remains. I'm going to call reservations tomorrow and get a 'second opinion'. We live 10 minutes from the Tampa airport, I may even drop by and ask at the check in counter.

Surprised they would do that on different PNRs and involving carriers not even in the same alliance. If that does happen, then you should have nothing to worry about except any WX delays affecting IAH or IAD.

Surprised they would do that on different PNRs and involving carriers not even in the same alliance. If that does happen, then you should have nothing to worry about except any WX delays affecting IAH or IAD.

Being in the same alliance isn't necessarily the only test. I'd phone both UA and Icelandair to see if there's an agreement for the transfer of bags. You'll have to show your complete itinerary when you check-in with UA. Also be sure to ask if UA can issue your Icelandair boarding pass, unless you can get it online. We once flew from DCA to MIA on AA then on to GRU on TAM, using two separately purchased tickets (latter flight was through Priceline). At DCA, AA was able to give tag our bags all the way to GRU, but could not issue our TAM boarding passes, so we had to stand in line at the TAM counter at MIA to get those. When you phone you can find the gate numbers used.

Whether or not the two carriers are in the same alliance or your tickets are on the same PNR has nothing to do with whether or not UA and Icelandair have an interline baggage agreement.

Because Icelandair doesn't, of course, fly USA domestic, its CSRs may be better attuned to interlining issues. Call them and ask the specific question, "do you interline checked luggage with UA?" If the answer is yes, it will work in both directions. If the answer is no, it won't work.

If your UA and Icelandair segments are on separate itineraries, you will need a printed copy of your Icelandair e-ticket (not just the itinerary, but both the e-ticket # and PNR) for the check-in agent. You will also need extra time at check-in because not all agents are trained.

If there is indeed an interline agreement, you will have no problems making your connection. All gates at IAD are accessible to each other without re-clearing TSA (domestic-intl). If there is no interline agreement, I think that it's way too close for comfort and a combination of slow UA luggage delivery, long checkpoint lines and the distance to/from the gates makes this a very risky proposition. If you miss the connection, there's not an easy next flight.

My recommendation if there's no interline agreement is to lose the checked luggage and pack for carry-on only.

Thank you Flyertalk community of experts.

I called Icelandair and confirmed that an interline baggage agreement exists. I also called UA and confirmed same. I suggested they make a note in my reservation but they said that wasn't necessary, it is a policy and it will be no problem.

Thanks again for all the great advice and particularly for the 'lingo' that made my situation so easy to explain.