In particular, long-haul flights often have no direct connection between destinations, so passengers have to transition between catching multiple flights. But what happens to checked luggage if I miss connecting flights?
Missing a connecting flight is a frequently occurring scenario primarily because the span is very tight within changing flights, and it is quickly that you lose track of time and miss your connecting flight.
This was one common scenario, another is when you miss the connecting flight after your original flight was delayed.
Whatever the reason, the concern remains: how to retrieve checked luggage? This article briefly explains what happens to checked luggage if I miss connecting flights.
What Happens To Checked Luggage If I Miss Connecting Flight?
Per the airline you are traveling with, the unraveling outcome for what happens to checked luggage if I miss connecting flight will differ. However, as a rule, there is nothing to worry about in this situation, as you will retrieve your checked luggage through one mode or another. 
Suppose there has been an unscheduled flight cancellation, or you have rebooked a flight after missing your initial connecting flight. In that case, the luggage will arrive at your travel destination on the flight you were supposed to board earlier but failed to do so.
Another thing that the airline may do on behalf of accommodating their passengers is to usually transfer their checked luggage to the subsequent, available next flight. Regardless, for this to happen, you would have to make a plea to the airline authorities.
It is important that you, as soon as possible, contact the airline, ensure they are aware of your scenario, and request them to have your bags on their way to the travel destination.
If a significant delay has happened from the end of the airline in getting your luggage transferred, you may have a right to file a claim against the airline for delayed or lost baggage.
Additionally, airlines unable to deliver your checked luggage to you within the following 24 hours of the original baggage check-in are entitled to provide you with monetary compensation, but this only happens in some cases.
International Vs. Domestic Flights
You must always know that the regulations regarding checked luggage and what happens to checked luggage if I miss connecting flights are different for international and domestic flights. As a result, the retrieval mode for checked baggage after missing a flight will vary.
International Flights
For international flights, there are federal regulations typically known as Passenger Bag Match (PBM), otherwise Positive Passenger Bag Match (PPBM), which mandates that all airlines off-load checked luggage for passengers not on board.
This explains the delay you probably must endure in receiving your luggage after a passenger misses an international flight because their luggage is manually pulled out from the cargo hold.
Domestic Flights
If you were to miss a domestic flight after having checked In your luggage due to some unforeseen circumstance, then the airline will transfer your luggage to the subsequent domestic flight that is departing.
This is because, on domestic flights, all of the luggage is screened, so the airline can easily transfer it to another domestic flight. Therefore, getting ahold of your luggage in such situations is very difficult.
Checked Baggage Policies Per Airline
Delta Airlines
Presumably, if you missed your connecting flight because you were late, then there is no chance for you to have checked your luggage in any way.
However, being a Delta passenger, if you checked your luggage, missed a flight, and booked yourself on a new flight due to some personal violation, your luggage will automatically be re-routed to your rebooked flight’s destination.
When the Delta airline or the customer cancels the flight after having the luggage checked in, the luggage will be returned to the baggage claim, where passengers can expect to retrieve their belongings conveniently.
Alaska Airlines
Unlike other carriers, policies for Alaska Airlines and checked luggage are divergent for domestic and international connecting flights.
Internationally and by federal regulations, Alaska Airlines will pull the luggage out of the un-boarded guest. Domestically, this does not happen; allegedly, if the baggage were transferred in time, it would end up in one’s final destination.
United Airlines
If the customer missed their connecting flight, then it is likely that their checked-in luggage has also missed traveling on that connection and has not boarded. In all due earnestness, this is the best-case scenario.
Nevertheless, for some cause, the luggage has boarded and has not arrived at your final destination; being a United passenger, you are encouraged to file a claim for delayed baggage.
Southwest Airlines
Domestic Southwest flights serve customers who have missed their connecting flights by sending the luggage to the customer’s final destination, which is listed on the tagged luggage.
Hence, without the companion traveler, checked-in luggage will end up at the carousel and can be claimed upon arrival from the baggage service office of Southwest at the final destination’s airport.
American Airlines
The dedicated rules for missed and canceled connecting flights by American Airlines are the same. The bags will be re-routed automatically to the passenger’s final destination, where they can collect and claim their luggage after missing and catching on to another connecting flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Will my luggage get lost if I miss connecting flight?
Though the airline will ensure your luggage is not lost, there is still a chance to go missing.
Do checked bags get moved on connecting flights?
It depends on the airline you are traveling with and whether the connecting flight you missed was domestic or international.
What happens if you miss a connecting flight because of a delay?
Your luggage and flight are the airline’s responsibility when a delay occurs.
Can I collect my luggage from the arrival destination after missing connecting flight?
Only if the luggage has been transferred can you.
Conclusion
Now that you know what happens to checked luggage if you miss connecting flight, beware not to miss a flight in the first place. Even when you do, take the adequate measures that we have recommended to retrieve your checked luggage.
