Originally Posted by
Treyzian
I have a 12:20pm SJC-LAX flight in the afternoon operated and booked through AS, followed by a 00:30 flight LAX-HKG operated and booked separately through CX. I arrive at LAX ~4pm, but CX check-in doesn't open until 8:30pm. With the separate itineraries, can AS at SJC through-check my bags on CX to HKG and print me a boarding pass so I can get airside to the lounge, or am I stuck waiting the 4 hours outside?
I had a similar situation, though different connecting airports and airlines. I was flying SAN-SFO on AS and on a separate ticket, SFO-DOH on Qatar. I had to reclaim my bags in SFO and take them to the Qatar check in counter, which I had to wait an hour to open up. There was not a way to through check my bags with AS in SAN since they said it was not possible (I thought it should be) and my online check in did not work on QR, which was a moot point since I had to go to the QR counter in SFO anyway.
This may be a little tricky based on the time in between flights at LAX. The AS agent in SJC can try to tag the bag all the way through, but with that amount of time, AND the fact that it departs on the next calendar day, I would say your odds of success are low there.
If it does work for the agent, the TBIT is connected to Terminals 4-8 by an interior corridor. Without bags to check, you can go right to the TBIT on the inside of security. Its about a 20 minute long walk through underground corridors, but its a unique experience. Getting in to a lounge may be a little tricky without a boarding pass though. You can try to check in online with CX but my guess is the check in won't completely go through because of the documentation check. The lounge staff for the OW lounge do not do this, and they will refer you to the check in counter. That being said, waiting inside of TBIT will be much better than outside with your bags.