Connecting flights

I've just booked my flights to spend New Years Eve in LAS.

Unfortunately I could not get the direct flights, as there were no seats in economy available for the return flight on 2nd Jan, so we have to go via SFO on the way out and LAX on the way back.

The internal flights are with America West and I booked through Opodo, as the flights were not available via Virgin's website (although, in hindsight, I suppose I could have rung the flying club)
My question is (finally), will we and our luggage be checked all the way to LAS, or will we have to check-in again at SFO? We only have a 2hour stopover there, so there will not be much time.

Also, I have tried to select our seats on the Virgin website, but it will not let me as I did not book through them, so if I phoned them would they do it then?

Thanks,

Richard.

Hi papadoc,

VS at LHR shoud check your bags through to LAS via SFO ( sohw your HP ticket).

However you will need to pick up your cases at SFO ( first point of entry to the US) ,clear customs and take them to the adjacent terminal ( HP desks about halfway down the terminal)-about a 5 to 10 min walk.

I assume you will be on the 1550 appox flight to LAS. Last time I went to LAS I booked on the 1700 flight ( now removed from schedule) as the connection is a little bit tight.

however as long as the VS flight is on time you should make it.

Regards and good luck

TBS

[honey lamb]

What a coincidence. I was going to ask about connecting at SFO, but on United. I know I can get my bags tagged all the way through but I was wondering where the bag drop was for UA - whether it was just outside the custome hall as it is in IAD.

I haven't yet booked my flight on UA but there is a 1700 flight to RNO (I'm going to Lake Tahoe :D ) I presume that is a safe enough connection?

Thanks for your reply TBS.

We are on the 1555 flight to LAS, so I hope we are on time.

And Honey Lamb, hope you have a great trip.

Richard.

[honey lamb]

Thanks, Richard. It's not until May so I shall have six wonderful months of anticipation

Enjoy yours too

I will be doing the same trip (Ret leg) in April so will be interested to hear how you got on.

Cheers

Phil

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb
What a coincidence. I was going to ask about connecting at SFO, but on United. I know I can get my bags tagged all the way through but I was wondering where the bag drop was for UA - whether it was just outside the custome hall as it is in IAD.

As I recall, there's a UA connections desk on the left after you pass through US Customs.

There are two big signs on the wall... one says "CONNECTING FLIGHTS", the other says "SAN FRANCISCO", with arrows pointing in the relevant directions.

Cheers,
Mike

[honey lamb]

Thanks Mike, for that information. The only other time I connected on arrival into USA, it was very easy with my bags being collected as soon as I had retrieved them from customs. It seems as if this will be as painless

Sorry to trouble you all again.

For the return flight we fly America West to LAX. The flight has a VS number (VS2110), so do we check in with Virgin or America West?


Also does our luggage get checked all the way, or do we have to pick it up in LAX again?

Sorry about all the questions, although I've flown to the US many times over the years, it's always been on direct flights.

you'll check in at the America West (HP) desk (The VS flights leave from a separate terminal to HP ).

You will find that your luggage will be checked all the way through to LHR (this was the case with me flying back via SFO earlier this year).

The HP desks at LAS will also check you in for the VS flight to LHR - You'll need to exchange the HP boarding pass to a VS one when you arrive at LAX though.

You will also need to show the VS staff at LAX your baggage receipt (handed to you by HP at LAS) so that they can "tie" you together with your checked luggage.

Hope that all makes sense!

Richard.

Thanks Richard. You're reply is very helpful.

Richard.

[HighFlyer]

Have a good one!

Ill be in LAS with the other half from 23/12 to 28/12, so we will probably miss you, but i cant think of a better place to spend Xmas.

Just a quick note on this topic.

Last month I flew from LHR to MCO via JFK. The connection was with Delta and VS said they could not check me through as my tickets were not booked at the same time and so not linked.

Therefore I had to claim my bags and then change terminals at JFK before checking in again with Delta.

However, the return journey I was checked all the way through by Delta, but did have to check at the desk in JFK with VS to collect my boarding card!!

Matt

Thanks again to everybody for their replies so far,

quote:The HP desks at LAS will also check you in for the VS flight to LHR - You'll need to exchange the HP boarding pass to a VS one when you arrive at LAX though.

Does this mean that we have to go to the check-in area, or are there seperate desks to exchange the boarding passes?

Sorry for all the questions, but as our connection times are tight I want to get the details sorted in my head before we go!

Hope you have a good trip as well HighFlyer.

papadoc,

You just go to the normal check in area to exchange boarding passes.

Have a good one!

Rich.