Can I check in my baggage in at Manchester all the way to Wellington New Zealand despite different carriers?

Question

I fly to Heathrow bmi from Manchester Intl a day before my Royal Brunei flight to Auckland New Zealand, then Air New Zealand to Wellington. Will my suitcase be taken care of the whole journey from Manchester or do I need to check it in again at Heathrow and again in Auckland?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I am pretty sure that you will have to recheck your bags at both Heathrow and Auckland. As you are using three airlines and only the first (BMI) and the third (ANZ) have any partner relationship, they are both Star Alliance members, it is unlikely that they will check you through. The fact that you have a days break in London doesn't help either I am afraid.

It is a pretty complex set of travel arrangements if you don't mind me saying so. If you had booked the whole trip from London with ANZ then it would certainly have meant that your bags would be checked through to Wellington. Still not certain about the BMI - ANZ bit though as there is a significant gap between flights from the sound of it.

In all events have a good trip, they are all excellent airlines.

Source(s):

Ten to twelve long and short haul flights per year

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thank you so much for your help... the mish mash of flights was all down to cost...the price was right... It would have been nice to not see my case again til I arrived at destination but ces la vie.

Answer 2

Ordinarily yes, but confirm this at check in if the bags are checked through to your final destination.

There is however a slight difference with New Zealand due to it's very strict bio security regulations and checks on incoming passengers and their luggage. Basically you are subject to bio security checks at your first point of entry into NZ, in this case Auckland, not at your destination airport if you have an onward domestic transfer.

When you arrive in Auckland you will have to collect your bags even if you have an onward domestic transfer (which you do to Wellington) and have been told your bags are checked through to the final destiniation. You then take your bags through bio security and then check them back in at the domestic transfer desk for the flight to Wellington. The domestic transfer desk is just around to the left when you leave the bio security area.

Answer 3

You will have to collect your case at Heathrow and Auckland and re-check in.
Had you been flying Air New Zealand from London,it would have been possible to have had your baggage checked through to New Zealand as British Midland and Air New Zealand are both part of the Star Alliance.
However,Royal Brunei are not part of the alliance so British Midland will not be able to through check your case on to the London Auckland flight,and likewise,Royal Brunei will not be able to through check the case on the Auckland Wellington flight.

Source(s):

Virgin Atlantic reservationist.