Munich Connection (AA to LX)
 

A coworker has requested that we travel together so I'm booked on AA from PHL to MUC and then on Swiss from MUC - ZRH.

I'm one of the few that always checks my bag.

I'm assuming I go through passprot control in MUC.

I don't know if AA has an interline agreement with Swiss so not sure if I have to collect my bag and recheck.

Not sure if any of the aboe activities or going to the Swiss gate will take me out of the secure zone and I'll have to go through the checkpoint again.

Just preparing for a new dance that I have not done before ;-)

Thanks

You will clear passport control upon arriving into MUC. Your AA flight will arrive into T1 and your Swiss flight will depart from T2. It's about a 10-15 min walk across the central terminal area between T1-T2. Once you get to T2, you'll have to clear security again before your flight to ZRH.

If you booked this on one ticket then AA should check your bags through to ZRH. If it's separate tickets then AA will not check your bag through, you'll have to claim it at MUC and take it yourself to the Swiss check-in.

Are both segments on the same reservation? If yes, your bag should be checked through. If no, you will have to collect it and check in anew with Swiss. In either case you will need to go through passport control in MUC.

I would be tempted to claim my bag either way and walk it to Swiss check in. A cross airline, cross alliance, cross terminal connection at an airport that isn't a hub for either is a recipe for a lost bag and getting stuck being passed back and forth trying to get it back.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for. Both segments are on one ticket purchased through the AA website.

A little knowledge is a great thing!

Thanks

Only for those who don't know the IATA rule that makes the last carrier of the passenger to the destination responsible for baggage tracking, delivery, and compensation.

The baggage interline between T1 and T2 in MUC works pretty well. T1-2 transfers are quite common as some lonhaul airlines arriving in T1 have feeder agreements with the airlines in T2.

Thanks Oliver2002
I have this scheduled for the end of March so I'll report how the connection went.

This is not like an unknown event. Baggage transfers like this are quite normal for MUC. The only international bag issue I have ever had has been with AA/BA at LHR, because BA decided it would fly my bag from LHR to SFO directly, rather than put it on my AA flights from LHR-JFK-SFO (I was flying from Moscow on BA)

Went much easier than expected. The brief walk outside was actually refreshing after the overnight flight. Security check was easy and the gate area was bright and clean. While I prefer direct flights this is not a bad option.

Thanks for the preflight info, it made it easier.