Interline Baggage
 

Question:

I am flying AA from JFK to LHR, spending 1/2 a day in London and then flying LY from LHR to TLV. Can I check my bags straight through at JFK to TLV? Or will I be required to collect them at LHR and re-check them in?

Thanks

I have done this with Virgin. There are 2 issues here. It really depends on AA, and not on EL AL. If you are on one ticket there will be no problem. If not, then it depends upon whether AA are prepared to do it at the checkin. Most airlines don't seem to mind, but sometimes you can get stuck with an awkward checkin agent ...

The second issue is that EL AL are (as we all appreciate) fussy about security. My experience at LHR is that they will call you to 'identify' your suitcases and may ask you to open them in front of their security staff. Nothing terrible.

I don't recommend flying through LHR with checked luggage.
If you must for whatever reason I would _highly_ recommend you recheck your luggage with LY, that way you have a higher chance of getting your bag on arrival. Just talking from personal experience. LHR sucks.

LHR is one of the worst places to have your bag wondering around for 1/2 a day.

:)

If you decide to check your bags all the way to TLV, make sure you let LY know as soon as you can after you arrive in london, the bags you are suppose to get with the baggage numbers, and make sure they tell you what is the status of the bags.
I take it you arer taking the might flight from LHR - TLV so there should be someone from LY from late morning in the airport for the afternoon flight.

1 check your bags in JFK to LHR only.
2 fly tom LHR
3 claim your bags.
4 go to "left Baggage " in Terminal 1 and pay them 5 punds
5. goto the Heathrow experss stand ( near the "left Baggage"
and buy a special ticket for 14.5 return !
6 Eat Sushi in Paddington station
7 go back to T1

8 check in your bags to LY
you can carry on only one bag with you .... new rules in LHR

Lior M

(just did it yestrday...)

Is this on one ticket? I tried to do this using separate AA (electronic) and LY (paper) tickets in the reverse direction last year.

LY TLV-LHR
AA LHR-JFK

and Elal wouldn't check through the bags. They were wary of a one-way ticket to the USA for a non-US citizen, even with a valid visa that doesn't require a return flight from the USA.

This meant that I had to rush between T1 and T3 in LHR -- but did get to change clothes because I could take some out of my suitcase before rechecking, after showering in the Admirals Club! (One small consolation...)

Its an LY paper ticket that includes the AA leg.