Hi all,

Quite an urgent one. Flying MIA - LHR via YYZ.

Connection time of 90 mins in YYZ. MIA - YYZ operated by AA and YYZ - LHR by BA. Tickets booked through BA as a bog standard return flight (with the connection).

Got to AA bag drop and self drop wouldn’t print out any bag tags. Went to assistance and was told it was because the MCT was 2 hours in Toronto and they couldn’t print tags and was nothing they could do aside from get us to collect our bags. Obviously this would mean we are then highly likely to miss the connection due to pickup times and re bag drop.

Called BA Gold line and he couldn’t see the problem - he said MCT was 75 mins in YYZ and he could in fact sell me the same ticket there and then. Apparently the direct MIA - LHR was completely full in all cabins. There are 6 of us travelling WTP.

Eventually after being there for an hour at the desk and getting nowhere, she eventually told us she could override the system but couldn’t say whether we would need to pick up our bags or not and re-check - the bags say LHR via YYZ on the tags at least. However they only got checked in about 30 mins before departure time.

1) At 30 mins out will the bags likely have made it onto the first flight?

2) What actually is the MCT? AA say 2 hours, BA day 1 hour and a quarter.

3) How can BA sell a ticket which AA then can’t seem to operate?

4) Will ask whether the bags have made it and if so whether we need to collect and re-drop. If we need to collect, will we still make the connection?

UPDATE - It sounds like we need to collect bags at YYZ due to Canadian customs.

5) If the bags haven’t made it, what are the options RE compensation etc.?

Thanks to the incredibly knowledgable folks at FT!