KLM and Adria Airlines connection in Amsterdam
 

I'm thinking of flying Delta from Portland to Amsterdam and connecting to an Adria Airlines flight to Ljubljana, Slovenia. There's supposed to be a 1:45 layover - a tad tight but sounds doable.

I can book these as separate tickets, but of course, if the Delta flight is late and I miss my flight to Ljubljana Adria isn't going to care. I could probably pay the change fee and take their next flight, the next day.

I can't book these together on Delta, but, surprisingly, KLM will book this on one ticket. Does this mean that, if I miss the Adria flight (due to a delay not my fault) that KLM will put me on alternate flights on, say, Air France, a Skyteam member? (I could get to Ljubljana only a few hours later on Air France via Paris.) Am I wrong in assuming KLM takes responsibility for getting me there if they book the whole ticket for me as one ticket?

Also, if I need to check a bag, would it be checked through to Ljubljana for me? I will try to carry on to save time but if I must check a bag will that mean I have to fetch it in Amsterdam and re-check it/slowing me down?

Thanks!

If you book this as one ticket, KL will check your luggage through and provide you with an alternative flight if the incoming flight is late.

Thank you for your reply. There are a few reasons I still might prefer to book on Delta - understanding that I risk missing my connection on Adria if Delta's incoming is late (as scheduled, it would be 1:45 connection time). Question (probably no longer a "Skyteam question," sorry), would Delta be able to check my bag along through to Ljubljana on my Adria flight even if I booked the two tickets separately? I have heard that it can be possible for them to do this.

Thanks!

yes it's possible if they have an interline agreement (which I don't know) and if the DL agent in PDX is in good mood ;)

Don't count on it.

Book with KLM... In general, I refuse to fly on multiple PNRs without 4 or 5 hours of connection at minimum or if there is ABSOLUTELY no reasonable, affordable alternative, and I fly a LOT...

I agree. I require 3.5 hours minimum when travelling on separate tickets. Here's why:

Its easy for the inbound flight to be delayed. Most delays are probably around the 30 minutes mark, but if for whatever reason the plane goes tech....2+ hour delays are not uncommon.

In that case you would arrive at AMS and would need to book a new ticket. Booking a ticket for the next flight out is crazy expensive. Probably tens of times more than what you would save by using two tickets instead of one.

When landing at AMS with 3+ hour delay due to a technical issue with the plane, you are entitled to a 300-600 euro compensation. Which is probably enough to cover most/all the cost of buying a new ticket for the next flight out. So in that case you will be covered, and it might be worth it.

On the other hand...travelling on one single ticket is so much easier and sooo much more stress-free. If there is a possibility to have just one single ticket, and the price difference is not enormous...i'd take that option.

The only exception I can come up with for why you'd want to book this with DL is if you're on a US government grant that requires US-flagged carriers to ticket the flights when available. Otherwise, single PNR all the way.