International connections/code shares/talk me down

[rubytue]

I've never flown to Europe. I've only flown internationally once before, and it was direct from IAD. Or maybe it was Delta all the way. Either way, it was 10 years ago and I don't remember details. I sure don't remember doing anything like what I'm reading now.

We booked through aer lingus BWI to SNN, through BOS. Code share BWI-BOS. So we are on jet blue BWI-BOS and Aer Lingus BOS-SNN. 2 hour layover.

1) I check in at BWI with jet blue, right? There is no aer lingus counter.

2) Do I follow domestic or international airport arrival times for BWI? (Note, I fly domestically a lot, and I have my arrival time at BWI down to a science bc I hate sitting in airports. Especially one 10 mins from my house when I could be sitting on my couch)

3) this is what is says for the connections: "Connecting to Aer Lingus from JetBlue: Checked bags will be automatically transferred from JetBlue flights to Aer Lingus flights. Customers will not have access to their checked baggage at BOS. Upon arrival at Logan's Terminal C, it is a short 5 minute walk between Terminal C and Terminal E where customers may check in for their Aer Lingus flight."
Combine this with web check-in info "Passengers travelling from the USA with Web boarding passes must present themselves at the dedicated Web check-in counter at the airport at least 75 minutes prior to their scheduled departure time."

Can someone walk me through #3 like I'm 5? Not the luggage part - I know that. But the what I do part. Am I leaving security? Do i have time to pee? Did my perfect 2 hour layover just become too short? (85% on-time arrival, 90% on the day of the week we are flying). Will I kill my H if he walks too slow (part of my perfect domestic travel timing is walking "airport speed" lol)?

Eta: H told me to post here bc I was starting to stress about #3. He wants me to add "please don't kill your husband!"

[emilyinchile]

0.5. Please don't kill your husband

1. Yes, check in at JetBlue.

2. How long do you usually leave when it's a domestic flight? Does that time include checking bags? Are you checking bags this time? I think that technically you can treat the first leg as domestic, but I would give yourself more of a cushion plus any additional time needed for bag check.

3. This makes it sound like JetBlue won't check you in and give you the Aer Lingus boarding passes "where customers may check in for their Aer Lingus flight". That's strange to me because usually partner airlines DO do that, and in that case there would be no need to check in again, you just change terminals (although that does sometimes involve going through security again). I would call JetBlue to ask in this case just because I agree the wording is a bit confusing.

[rubytue]

Ok. Glad it isn't just me being confused.

And I won't really. He's too cute for that But we have completely different airport navigation styles and it has made for some interesting layovers.

[GilliC]

I've connected to different airlines and not been given my boarding pass before. It really depends on how the computer systems are set up.

Honestly, I wouldn't stress about it. Worst case scenario, you need to go to a transfer desk or out to the check-in counter to get your onward boarding pass. That's really not so bad.

The easiest way to know what to expect is just to ask along the way. Reconfirm that your bags are tagged to your final destination, and ask if there's anything you need to do at your connection. Sometimes they need to see your baggage tag so that they can transfer the luggage tracking between the two systems. Sometimes it's automatic. Sometimes they need to do passport/visa checks, or they want to re-issue your boarding passes even if you already have them.

So I would suggest asking when you check in with Jet Blue, but then even if you have the onward boarding passes, go straight to your Aer Lingus gate during your connection. I've found that the check-in carrier doesn't always have the full story, so it's a good idea to reconfirm with the second carrier. Also, if there are additional checks or updates that need to be done, it's nice to get them done early before the queue starts to get long.

But really, don't stress yourself out. Just be flexible, and check out the situation as early as possible. I find that it's a lot less stressful to get the airline details sorted out first thing during any tricky connection, and then relax once the story is clear.

[pittpurple]

Aug 31, 2014 9:21:30 GMT -5 GilliC said:

But really, don't stress yourself out. Just be flexible, and check out the situation as early as possible. I find that it's a lot less stressful to get the airline details sorted out first thing during any tricky connection, and then relax once the story is clear.

I agree. I'd get to the first airport slightly earlier than you would for a domestic flight, just because it can sometimes take a bit longer to check in and you'll want a couple extra minutes to ask. I've had this happen several times as well at various airports when I've been switching carriers. Agree with GilliC - just keep asking everyone you talk to along the way and you'll be fine. Every airline/airport is different with how they handle this so it's worth checking along the way.

[mdgirl]

I can never keep up with individual airline requirements for international flights. You may or may not get a boarding pass for your Shannon flight at BWI, and you may or may not be able to check your bag all the way (although I bet you can). I would stop at the desk at your gate in Boston though. A lot of airlines want to verify you have your passport at the gate before you board an international flight, especially since you're a connecting and codeshare passenger.

[trident0]

I had a similar situation with a small european carrier connecting to Delta (flying back to the US).  I checked in online for the delta portion of my flight and printed a boarding pass the night before, then checked in for my little carrier flight at the airport as a domestic passenger day of.  Might be worth a try, although I don't know if it works the other way.  I did have to show the gate agent my passport, I wouldn't have been required if I checked in day of.