TTT

It sounds like this might still be possible if both tickets are on DL. The rule isn't 100% clear about that but it can be interpreted that way.

jrmsp

Delta needs to iron out their pricing. As someone who issues Delta tickets all day long, it's an issue, even with SkyTeam partners. For example, I just priced a one way MSP-ICN using Delta to Chicago and KE to ICN. Book both in Y. Itinerary unpriceable in any booking class, not even business class. Ticketed separately, $67.80 to ORD and $1065.60 to ICN. Meanwhile, I can issue AA to ORD connecting to KE as a through fare with fewer restrictions for $1265. On a round trip the difference is striking.. RT DL and RT KE totals $1754, while the interline through fare is $1658. Oh, and the code share? Forgetaboutit, the married segments aren't available at any price.

These aren't theoretical prices either, they're fresh out of GDS.

MSPeconomist

Very likely even the same passenger on the same trip. Outbound DL then AA flight to destination (not served by DL). Return AA then DL.

STBCypriot

For the past 5 years 100% of my travel has been international. Up until recently I have been a loyal DL FF. This decision to discontinue interlining just confirms that my decision to give up DL loyalty was the right choice.

Consider my situation. DL no longer has codeshares that fly to LCA (my most common destination). Previously I would by a DL ticket to Athens (or another gateway in Europe) and a separate ticket to Larnaca. DL would interline my baggage. Flying BE and being DM, I am allowed 3 pieces of checked luggage, which DL would interline. Without the interlining, I would now have to claim those 3 pieces of luggage and recheck them with Cyprus Airways in ATH. Having no real status with Cyprus Airways, I would then have to pay for the extra 2 pieces of luggage (only one is allowed on Cyprus Airways) and the fees would be quite pricey. So the end result is that I either take less baggage on the DL flight to avoid the excess baggage charge on CY or pay a big bunch of euros to CY.

If there hadn't been other reasons to leave DL (the main one being that they no longer serve the airports I deal with or the schedules are horrendous), this one would have been the clincher.

BTW - I have switched to Etihad where a Business class ticket costs less than a DL M fare and I am certain to have a lie-flat seat among other nice amenities.

Jaimito Cartero

I've never whined about unexpected fees from interlining. I fly J or F on almost all Transpacific flights. Having to recheck bags at an international gateway is a huge PITA. It's the short hop Y flights that become the problem. I buy many of my tickets 8-11 months in advance, so 2 months notice does me no good.

If I buy a ticket with F segments, and a coach component, having that latter component often makes the ticket non-refundable.


I was speaking of interlining luggage. This is the term and usage I've seen used on FT for many years.

MSPeconomist

The T&C on SWUs say "Travel on carriers other than DL, when permitted, must be ticketed separately." Doesn't this imply that under the new rules, one will not be permitted to check a bag through when using a SWU and another carrier on the same trip?

GUWonder

Are there still some airlines which have interline agreements with DL for checked bags yet don't allow for their flights to be ticketed by DL?

5khours

Bottom line here is that in a lot of situations....especially on international destinations.....you're scr&w$d or at least incredibly inconvenienced.

Yaatri

Seearate tickets can be issued in conjunction, in which case, your bagage can be checked through.

ges123

Ok. I guess it is a good thing that I hadn't purchased the HNL-OGG portions yet for Feb. 2013. What would be a suggested lay over time now to accomodate luggage rechecking?

RealHJ

This is the most helpful summary and finally explains it very clearly why this is being implemented. Just another "knee-jerk" reaction, but an understandable one, where ultimately (as is usually the case) it comes at the expense of the customer ('s convenience).

GUWonder

I haven't heard anything to the contrary of that.

Are there any examples of any US airline (or any other airline whose flights may be subject to US DOT jurisdiction) being hit with a penalty from US DOT for the situation you are mentioning?

I have come across zero documented cases of such so far. And that is only in part why I doubt the following:

What I am certain of is that these changes have everything to do with the kind of costs DL has been hit with after a baggage mishandling situation arises for bags DL checks in on its own flights with thru-checking onto a different airline on a separate ticket. Those costs ordinarily have nothing to do with the US DOT not playing industry patsy as usual. Those costs are routine, recurring and of high frequency compared to any US DOT penalties hitting a US major. And those costs aggregated annually make most US DOT fines look like peanuts.

TTT

It has always been my understanding that the final airline transporting the luggage is responsible for any liability claims regardless of the airline at fault.

GUWonder

The final airline flown by the passengers as indicated on the baggage tag is the airline responsible for taking the claim report and handling the claim.

Multilateral or bilateral interline agreements worked out how the airlines involved are to settle payments amongst themselves (i.e. amongst the airlines or contracted agents) when dealing with claims for lost/delayed/stolen/damaged baggage and paying out (to passengers) for those claims.

chrisny2

I think this is one of the real main reasons for the change. I would bet that previously, in the example above, there would usually be one baggage fee charged: HA's.

Now a customer has to go to the DL ticket counter, where the customer will pay an additional baggage fee: DL's.