In June there are 4 of us travelling from MEL-AUH and then AUH-CDG. For reasons that are a bit complex both flights are Etihad flights (although to confuse things the second one is operated by AF for Etihad) but the two tickets are issued by different airlines. The first leg is a VA redemption and the second is ticketed by AF/KLM. There is approximately a 3 hour layover in AUH between the two flights.

I have a few questions that someone might be able to help me with:

1. Will Etihad interline the luggage between two Etihad operated flights even if they are on different PNRs and ticketed by different carriers? Does anyone have any experience with this or with Etihad connecting luggage on services ticketed separately more generally?

2. If not, I assume i will need to collect bags and recheck them in AUH. Anyone done this, how long should it take?

3. Finally, I have status with two separate Etihad partners (AF/KLM Gold and VA Platinum). Ordinarily my VA Plat status would allow access to the J lounge in AUH but as the second flight is not ticketed by EY i suspect i'll need to use KLM contract lounge?

Any thoughts or experiences most welcome!

I find that Etihad are awful on interlining luggage and generally don't want to help. It is usually down to the knowledge and experience of the person checking you in or their manager. I normally get 'it is impossible' or 'that is a different airline so how could we' etc etc even when calling BA's call center recently the woman made out that I was stupid for thinking it possible.

I still have a baggage tag from KHI with DXB MUS AUH DUS LHR on it thanks to an old hand knowing what he was doing. Horrible day in the air though !

Rechecking bags shouldn't take longer than about half an hour from deplaning

cannot help with the third sorry

Thanks for your help Dogmatick. I rang Etihad and they said that interlining at the first airport should be a non issue. I will report back about whether that works or not!

1. Yes. From three different data points: VA to EY, ME to EY, and EY to ME. All seperate tickets different stock (Some redemptions some paid).
2. N/A
3. It's whatever airline you're departing with. So AF/KL means Al Dhabi Lounge in T1.

I'm flying ORD-LHR on AA, and LHR-AUH on a separate award ticket and PNR. Flights are the same day. Will AA in ORD set up the interline through to AUH, or will I have to recheck my bag in LHR?
Thanks!