VS & AF: 2 flights, can they now check thru to final destn?

Hi. We have tickets from NYC to LHR on VS, then switch to flights on AF to Paris and on to West Africa.

These were booked before the codeshare that has just come live, but is there any way to align the 2 bookings and check our bags right through from NYC to final destination? LOVE to be able to do that!

Is this something a very clever check in desk agent could accomplish?
Sadly the AF flights to Africa are not VS codeshare ones as yet, which probably kills it, but worth hoping

(I am Au, not that I think that will change anything)

As the flights are on separate bookings / the AF flights not being VS codeshares, then I guess the official answer is no, bags cannot be thru-checked to the final destination. That said, if the OP gets a helpful check-in agent in NYC it could be possible if the agent is feeling helpful.

Some years ago I had MAN-DEN / DEN-LHR booked on American and a separate BA booking to get back to MAN. The agent at DEN managed to link the bookings / through-check the bags to MAN. We arrived at MAN as domestic passengers having not cleared customs with our bags at LHR. They just appeared on the domestic arrivals belt at MAN and we were out of T3 in no time. (This probably should not have happened - not that we were complaining).

Just to update with a quick thought: Our JFK to LHR VS flight is now an AF codeshare (VS138 = AF9917) so - does this provide a route to checking bags right through at all?

I'm not trying to get away with anything, just want to save a ton of hassle at Heathrow by having to go through immigration and collect bags there, schlepp them to the train, switch terminals with whole family in tow, and then check the bags in again for onwards AF flights. Be great if VS could somehow link them for a check-through at JFK?!

Anyone?

fyi, we are going JFK>LHR on VS, then directly connecting LHR>CDG>COO on AF (COO is Benin in West Africa)

Ps: I read there needs to be an 'Interline baggage agreement' which I would think they have now they are partners?