| Airport | Domestic connections |
International connections | Transfer directions and information |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPT (Cape Town) | If you are connecting to a domestic flight, you must collect your baggage and clear customs, even if your bag is labelled to your final destination. You will need need to go through customs, and follow the signs to the Central Departure Terminal on the 2nd floor to check in for your next flight. | If your onward connection is to any other regional destination in Africa, please go to the International Transfer Facility which is just before Immigration. |
If you are connecting onto a regional or international flight, and you are holding two separate tickets, and your bag is only checked in to Cape Town, you will need to collect your baggage. You will then need to follow the signs to the Central Departure Terminal on the 2nd floor to check in with the next airline. |
| JNB (Johannesburg) | If you are connecting to a domestic flight, you must collect your baggage and clear customs, even if your bag is labelled to your final destination. You will need need to go through customs, and follow the signs to Terminal B for domestic flight check in. | If your onward connection is to any other regional destination in Africa, please go to the International Transfer Facility which is just before Immigration. |
If you are connecting onto a regional or international flight, and you are holding two separate tickets, and your bag is only checked-in to JNB, you will need to collect your baggage. You will then need to follow the signs to Terminal A or B, depending on which terminal your next airline departs from. |
| LOS (Lagos) | If you are connecting to a domestic flight, you must collect your baggage and clear customs, even if your baggage is labelled to your final destination. Our ground staff will be available to help you. |
You will need to collect your bags, clear customs, and then re-check your bags with your onward carrier.
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Baggage and connecting flights
If you're connecting between flights, you may be required to collect and re-check your baggage. This depends on the process at the airport where your connection takes place.
Through tickets
If you have booked a through ticket, in most cases you can have your bag through checked to your final destination. However, if you are connecting from an international to a domestic flight, you will likely need to collect your bag upon arrival, clear customs, and drop your bag off again, even if your bag is labelled to your final destination. The check in agent can confirm the process to you at check in, please ask us and we'll be happy to help.
Note: a through ticket means you have one ticket number containing all the flights in your itinerary, which are usually booked at the same time.
Separate tickets
Your bag will not be checked through to your destination if you hold separate tickets. In this case, your bags will be checked through to the destination of your first ticket. Note: separate tickets means you have a separate ticket number for each flight in your itinerary. These are usually booked separately from each other at different times.
Other reasons why your bag will not be checked through to your destination
· There is a break in your journey exceeding 12 hours
· Your onward flight is not confirmed
· There is no baggage transfer facility at the stop over airport
To help you plan your journey, we have detailed the process for baggage collection at each airport in the table below.
Africa
Asia
| Airport | Domestic connections | International connections | Transfer directions and information |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLR (Bengaluru) | If you are connecting domestically you must collect your bags and clear immigrations and customs. If you are connecting with IndiGo, you can then proceed to the IndiGo transfer desk. If you are connecting with another airline, you may proceed directly to the airline check in desk on Level 3 after collecting your bags and clearing customs. | If you are connecting internationally on a single ticket, and your bag is tagged to your final destination, proceed directly to the transfer desk located before immigration. You do not need to collect your bag as it will be automatically transferred to your next flight. If you are booked on separate tickets, you will need to collect your bags and clear immigration and customs, then proceed to the airline check in desk on Level 3. |
If your connecting flight is from Terminal 1, there is a free shuttle bus you can use to transfer between terminals. Follow signs to the 'Inter-Terminal Transfer point'. Please note: all international departures are from Terminal 2. Security screening and immigration checks will be conducted when transferring between terminals, as well as when entering the departure gate area. E-cigarettes are prohibited. All electronics including chargers are to be removed from hand luggage and placed in trays available at the security screening point. |
| BOM (Mumbai) | Domestic connecting customers (including those connecting to flights operated by our codeshare partner IndiGo) must collect their bags, clear customs, and proceed to the respective airline check in desk in the departures terminal. Your connecting flight could depart from Terminal 1 or 2. Please check your itinerary and confirm before proceeding to the check in desks. | Bags are automatically transferred onto international flights. | |
| DEL (Delhi) | Domestic connecting customers (including those connecting to flights operated by our codeshare partner IndiGo) must collect their bags, clear customs, and proceed to the respective airline check in desk in the departures terminal. Your connecting flight could depart from Terminal 1, 2 or 3. Please check your itinerary and confirm before proceeding to the check in desks. |
Bags are automatically transferred onto international flights. |
If your domestic connecting flight is from Terminal 1, then you will need to either use the free shuttle bus, or a taxi. |
| PVG (Shanghai) | You will need to collect your bags, clear customs, and re-check your bags with your onward carrier.
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You will need to collect your bags, clear customs, and re-check your bags with your onward carrier.
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Caribbean
| Airport | Domestic connections |
International connections | Transfer directions and information |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANU (Antigua) | No domestic connections within Antigua. |
Bags are automatically transferred to international flights. | |
| BGI (Barbados) | No domestic connections within Barbados. | If you have a connecting flight with Caribbean Airlines, and you have your onward boarding pass and your bags have been checked through to your final destination, you should go straight to the Connection Facility which is located just before the Arrivals Hall. | |
| GND (Grenada) | No domestic connections within Grenada. | Collect your bags and clear customs, then re-check bags in with onward carrier. | |
| MBJ (Montego Bay) | If you have a connecting flight from Montego Bay, you must collect your baggage and clear customs before going to check in for your next flight. | If you have a connecting flight from Montego Bay, you must collect your baggage and clear customs before going to check in-for your next flight. | |
| NAS (Nassau) | If you have a connecting flight from Nassau, you must collect your baggage and clear customs before going to check in for you next flight. | If you have a connecting flight from Nassau, you must collect your baggage and clear customs before going to check in for you next flight. | |
| SVD (St Vincent) | You will need to collect your bags at baggage claim before clearing customs, then proceed to check in for your next flight. |
You will need to collect your bags at baggage claim before clearing customs, then proceed to check in for your next flight. | |
| UVF (St Lucia Hewnaorra) | No domestic flights within St Lucia. | Collect your bags and clear customs, then re-check bags in with your onward carrier. Please note: inter-island flights with other carriers leave from George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU) which is 2 hours away. |
Middle East
| Airport | Domestic connections |
International connections | Transfer directions and information |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB (Dubai) | Not applicable. | Bags checked through to your final destination will be automatically transferred to your onward flight. If you are travelling on separate tickets, you’ll need to collect your bags, clear immigration, and check in again. |
Virgin Atlantic flights arrive and depart from Terminal 1. You can easily transfer by walking between B and C gates or for transfers from D or A gates use the airport train.
If you need help, guest ambassadors are located at transfer desks within the concourses – follow the airport signs. |
| TLV (Tel Aviv) | Transiting between domestic to international, or international to domestic flights is forbidden. |
Passengers in transit are requested to follow the signs at the airport and must approach the transit desk (located in the arrivals level, BEFORE immigration) as you will need to go through a pre-flight security check process.
After the security check, passengers with a boarding pass are allowed to go to the Duty Free area (passengers can print their boarding pass at the self-service counters in the transit area).
If you have checked-in bags, the inbound airline must tag the bag to the final destination. |
The transit service is available for passengers who have purchased their inbound flight TO Israel and outbound flight FROM Israel under the same ticket / PNR.
Minimum connecting time (international-international) is 3 hours, and maximum connecting time is 24 hours.
The transit service is available for passengers landing in Ben Gurion International Airport and departing from Terminal 3 ONLY.
Passengers in transit are expempted from visa/immigration and customs clearance.
If in transit, you will need to approach the transit desk in order to identify yourself, as this is part of the transit process. This may also affect transit baggage handling.
If you are in transit and eligible to enter Israel, you are allowed to enter the country - but in case of checked baggage, you must approach and notify the transfer desk before leaving the airport, and approach the airline's check in counters before departing from Tel Aviv.
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United Kingdom
| Airport | Domestic connections |
International connections | Transfer directions and information |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDI (Edinburgh) | Domestic to international connections: If you have a connecting flight and your baggage is checked through to your final destination, you do not need to collect your bags. Simply follow the signs for arrivals and check the flight information screen for your gate number.
International to domestic connections: If you have a connecting flight and your baggage is checked through to your final destination, you do not need to collect your bags, but you do need to clear immigration and customs. Then proceed back through security and check the flight information screen for your gate. |
If you have a connecting flight and your baggage is checked through to your final destination, you do not need to collect your bags, but you do need to clear immigration and customs. Then proceed back through security and check the flight information screen for your gate.
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| LHR (London Heathrow) | If you have a connecting flight and your baggage is checked through to your final destination, follow the purple signs to Flight Connections. If your connecting flight doesn’t depart from Terminal 3, you’ll need to catch a transfer bus to the terminal you need. | If you have a connecting flight and your baggage is checked through to your final destination, follow the purple signs to Flight Connections. If your connecting flight doesn’t depart from Terminal 3, you’ll need to catch a transfer bus to the terminal you need. | |
| MAN (Manchester) | If you are arriving into Terminal 2 on a Virgin Atlantic Flight and connecting onto another flight, then your bags will be checked through to your final destination and there is no need to collect your bags. | If you are arriving into Terminal 2 on a Virgin Atlantic Flight and connecting onto another flight, then your bags will be checked through to your final destination and there is no need to collect your bags. |
USA
| Airport | Domestic to International Connections | International to Domestic connections |
International to International connections |
Transfer directions and information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL (Atlanta) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
Collect your baggage in the Arrivals Hall and clear immigration, even if your baggage has been labelled to your final destination.
|
Collect your baggage and clear Customs. Place your bags on the transfer belt outside the Customs exit.
London Heathrow (LHR) only - customers travelling on an international transfer with Delta Airlines who have their purple bag receipt do not need to collect their bags before proceeding to their transfer flight. |
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| BOS (Boston) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
After landing, if you have a connecting flight, you must collect your baggage in the Arrivals Hall and clear immigration, even if your baggage has been labelled to your final destination. You should then go to the transfer desk to drop your bag; this is located on the left, outside the first set of Customs Hall doors.
Connections with our partner Delta are from Terminal A, and you can take buses 11, 55 or 66 to get to ALL terminals. Buses 11 or 66 are quickest in terms of transfer times. It is also walkable by following the signs in the terminal. |
After landing, if you have a connecting flight, you must collect your baggage in the Arrivals Hall and clear immigration even if your baggae has been labelled to your final destination. You should then go to the transfer desk to drop your bag; this is located on the left, outside the first set of Customs Hall doors.
Connections with our partner Delta are from Terminal A, you can take buses 11, 55 or 66 to get to ALL terminals. Buses 11 or 66 are quickest in terms of transfer times. It is also walkable by following the signs in the terminal. |
The quickest way to connect with Delta is to walk from Terminal E to Terminal A via the skywalk. Take the elevator from the arrivals level to level 4 and take the skywalk from Terminal E to A. |
| IAD (Washington) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
After immigration you will need to collect your bags and clear Customs. Then, if your bags are tagged to your final destination, place your bags on the transfer belt outside the Customs exit.
Note: the transfer belt only operates until 9:30pm. After this time, please visit your airline’s ticket counter to drop off your bag. |
After immigration you will need to collect your bags and clear Customs. Then, if your bags are tagged to your final destination, place your bags on the transfer belt outside the Customs exit.
Note: the transfer belt only operates until 9:30pm. After this time, please visit your airline’s ticket counter to drop off your bag. |
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| JFK (John F. Kennedy New York) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
Everyone must collect their baggage before clearing Customs, even if it’s labelled to your final destination. For customer with a connecting flight within 90 minutes here at Terminal 4; or 120 minutes for all other terminals, please proceed directly to the customs hall and speak with one of the JFK Airport Team about quick connect and they will assist in expediting you! For onward flights on Delta, there is a recheck area to the left as you exit customs. For all other airlines, please collect your bags and proceed to check in with the relevant Airline. |
Everyone must collect their baggage before clearing Customs, even if it’s labelled to your final destination. For customer with a connecting flight within 90 minutes here at Terminal 4; or 120 minutes for all other terminals, please proceed directly to the customs hall and speak with one of the JFK Airport Team about quick connect and they will assist in expediting you! For onward flights on Delta, there is a recheck area to the left as you exit customs.
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| LAS (Las Vegas) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
Collect your bags, and clear Customs. Then take your bags to the main bag drop area. | If you’re connecting to a domestic flight and your baggage has been checked to final destination, you must collect your baggage first, clear customs, and then hand your bag back to a Virgin Atlantic Agent at the re-check desk after customs. | Arriving internationally from a Virgin Atlantic flight, and connecting to a domestic Delta flight? You must collect your checked baggage and clear customs. After the customs exit, leave your bag with the Virgin Atlantic agent, and then head up to level 2 and through the security checkpoint. Delta flights depart from D gates, which is a short tram ride away, and is clearly signposted.
For domestic connections from Delta to Virgin Atlantic, where your bags have been checked through to your final destination, there is no need to collect your bags - simply check the airport screens, and head to your gate. |
| LAX (Los Angeles) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
If you’re connecting to another flight, you must collect your baggage before proceeding to the transfer desk which is just after Customs.
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If you’re connecting to another flight, you must collect your baggage before proceeding to the transfer desk which is just after Customs. |
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| MCO (Orlando) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
Collect your bags, and clear Customs. Then place your bags on transfer belt outside Customs exit. |
Collect your bags, and clear Customs. Then place your bags on the transfer belt outside the Customs exit. |
Please note: some connections (not Delta) depart from other areas of the airport, and depending on the airline’s gate location, TSA screening might be required. |
| MIA (Miami) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
Everyone must collect their baggage before clearing Customs, even if it is tagged to your final destination.
For onward flights with Delta, there is a re-check area to the left as you exit Customs.
For all other airlines, please collect your bags and proceed to check in with the relevant Airline. |
Everyone must collect their baggage before clearing Customs, even if it is tagged to your final destination.
For onward flights with Delta, there is a re-check area to the left as you exit Customs.
For all other airlines, please collect your bags and proceed to check in with the relevant Airline. |
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| SEA (Seattle) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
Seattle’s new International Arrivals Facility requires you to collect all your baggage first (even if you have a connecting flight) and then proceed to Customs & Immigration. If your baggage has been labelled for your next flight, follow the Transfer signs after clearing Customs, where you can place it back on a Transfer belt, before making your way through Security for your next flight. |
Seattle’s new International Arrivals Facility requires you to collect all your baggage first (even if you have a connecting flight) and then proceed to Customs & Immigration. If your baggage has been labelled for your next flight, follow the Transfer signs after clearing Customs, where you can place it back on a Transfer belt, before making your way through Security for your next flight. | |
| SFO (San Francisco) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
If you’re connecting to another flight, you must collect your baggage before proceeding to the transfer desk which is just after Customs. | If you’re connecting to another flight, you must collect your baggage before proceeding to the transfer desk which is just after Customs. | |
| TPA (Tampa) |
If your bag(s) are tagged to your final destination there is no need to collect them, they will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight |
If you have a connecting flight, once you have cleared Immigration, you will need to go to the check in desk of your connecting carrier. |
If you have a connecting flight, once you have cleared Immigration, you will need to go to the check in desk of your connecting carrier. |