🧳 What is "Through-Checked Baggage" & How Does It Work?
"Through-checked baggage" (or checked-through baggage) means your checked luggage is tagged to your final destination at check-in, so you don’t have to collect and re-check it during a layover when you fly connecting flights.
When Do You Get Your Baggage Checked Through?
Scenario | Through-check Automatically? | What to Do |
Same ticket, same airline | Yes | Confirm with staff at check-in. |
Different tickets, same airline | Sometimes (on request) | Inform staff at check-in. |
Different tickets, different airlines (partner airlines) | Sometimes (on request) | Check policies, Inform staff at check-in. |
Different tickets, different airlines (non-partner airlines) | No | Collect & re-check bags. |
Same ticket, same airline
If all flights are booked under a single ticket with the same airline, your baggage is usually checked through to your final destination.
For extra peace of mind, confirm this with staff during check-in.
Different tickets, same airline
If your flights are on separate tickets with the same airline, you can often get your baggage checked through, but it’s not guaranteed unless you ask.
Make sure to inform the check-in staff that you’d like your bags checked through for collection at your destination.
Different tickets, different airlines
This one’s a maybe.
- If the airlines are partners—eg. from the same alliance or have an interline agreement—your baggage can be checked through, but only if you request it at check-in.
- If the airlines aren’t partners, you’ll need to self-transfer: collect your baggage after the first flight, then check it in again for the next leg.
Take Note: Exceptions
Even when your connecting flights are eligible for checking through your baggage, some exceptions may require you to collect and recheck your baggage, such as:
- When local customs regulations at the transit airport mandate baggage collection.
- If your connection involves changing airports.
- When connecting flights are not on the same day for certain airlines or itineraries, which may break the baggage transfer process.
Being aware of these factors helps avoid surprises and ensures smoother travel logistics. Always check with staff at check-in and confirm your baggage transfer, especially if you’re mixing airlines or booking separate tickets.
Not sure about your airline’s alliance? Find out which global family it belongs to—like Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam—and discover which other top carriers you can book and get your baggage checked through. Check out our ultimate guide to airline alliance and frequent flyer programmes!
When You Must Re-Check: Self-Transfers Explained
A self-transfer is when a traveller books two or more separate flights, often with different airlines, as independent tickets to complete a journey. Unlike connecting flights under one booking or airline alliance, each flight in a self-transfer trip is treated separately, meaning the passenger must collect checked baggage, clear immigration and security, and check in again for the next flight themselves.
This also often means separate cancellation or change policies apply to each ticket, and if the first flight is delayed causing a missed connection, the second airline is not obliged to accommodate the passenger.
Self-transfer flights can offer cost savings and more flexibility but require more effort and risk management by the traveller, including checking visa requirements at transfer locations.
🇸🇬 Baggage Transfer Policies for Airlines Popular in Singapore
Singapore Airlines (Star Alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
Flights booked on a single itinerary, including connecting flights operated by SQ and partner airlines (eg. Star Alliance, Scoot, ANA, etc.) | If required by local customs regulations at transit |
Please inform check-in counter staff at the airport if you wish to through-check your baggage.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) (Star Alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
Flights booked on a single ticket, connecting same-day at same airport, operated by ANA, Star Alliance, or partners | ANA international to ANA domestic flight |
Cathay Pacific (oneworld alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
Flights on a single ticket or separate tickets with oneworld member airline | If required by local customs regulations at transit |
British Airways (oneworld alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
All flights under one booking reference with the same ticket number, or oneworld flights under same booking reference (even with separate ticket numbers) | Not specified |
KLM (SkyTeam alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
Most transfers | Transfers in US or China or connecting with non-SkyTeam airlines |
Air France (SkyTeam alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
Flights grouped under a single booking reference with one ticket number | If changing airports, taking a train connection, or travelling with a pet in the hold |
Scoot (not a member of any airline alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
Booking is a single itinerary connecting Scoot or Scoot + Singapore Airlines | Not specified |
AirAsia (not a member of any airline alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
If Fly-Thru service is purchased | Re-check baggage may be required due to regulatory restrictions in some countries for international flights |
Emirates (not a member of any airline alliance)
No Need to Collect Checked Baggage | Need to Collect Baggage |
Entire journey booked with Emirates including connecting flights with partner airlines (eg. Qantas, Korean Air, Gulf Air, etc.) | Not specified |
Looking to book your connecting flight with the right airline? Discover which airlines belong to each major global alliance and make smarter booking choices. Check out our ultimate guide to airline alliances and frequent flyer programmes for all the details!
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✈️ What Happens if My Layover is Very Short?
Got a short layover? Don’t risk missing your next flight! Know the minimum connection times to make smooth, stress-free connections. For more details, check out our must-read guide on Minimum Time for Connecting Flights. Plan smart, travel easy!
Understanding Minimum Connection Times (MCT)
Minimum Connection Time (MCT) is the minimum scheduled time needed to transfer between connecting flights at an airport, ensuring enough time for customs, security, and transit procedures across different carriers or terminals.
Generally, for most domestic connections, aim for 1.5 to 2 hours, and for international connections—2 to 3 hours is recommended. In Singapore, Changi Airport’s transit guide advises a minimum of 1.5 to 2 hours for most connections to ensure a stress-free transfer.
If your checked baggage is not checked through, it’s important to allow extra time for baggage collection, customs clearance, and rechecking. This can significantly increase the time needed between flights, so leaving additional buffer beyond the usual minimum connection times helps to avoid missing flights due to luggage delays.
🌟 Pro Tips for Stress-Free Baggage on Connecting Flights
Pack Smart: The Power of a Carry-On
Travelling light is the smartest way to avoid missed connections or baggage headaches. A well-packed carry-on keeps essentials—medication, travel documents, and a change of clothes—within reach, saving time at baggage claim and giving peace of mind if your checked luggage goes astray.
Most airlines allow one carry-on between 7 to 10kg plus a small personal item, but size and weight rules vary by carrier, so always check before you fly.
Flying soon? Make sure you know exactly what you can bring onboard—including liquid limits, prohibited items, and airline-specific allowances. Read our guide on carry-on baggage restrictions for the latest rules and smart packing tips!
Know Your Rights for Delayed or Lost Baggage
If your checked bag is missing after landing, immediately report the issue to your airline’s baggage desk—don’t leave the airport. You’ll need to fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and keep your receipts for essential purchases while your bag is tracked. Most airlines will update you by SMS or email, and compensation may be offered for delayed items or confirmed losses.
If your checked baggage goes missing, take action before leaving the airport:
- Report the loss immediately at your airline’s baggage desk or service counter. You’ll fill out a lost baggage report, get a tracking reference, and provide your contact details for updates.
- If you have travel insurance, notify your insurer and submit your claim—in most cases, you’ll need to show proof from the airline and receipts for any essentials purchased while waiting for your bag.
Keep all documents and stay in touch with both the airline and insurer until your case is resolved.
Flight delayed? Find out if you’re entitled to compensation, what counts as a valid delay, and how to claim it quickly and hassle-free. Our Flight Delay Compensation Guide covers all you need—from airline responsibilities to travel insurance tips—so you can get the support and cash you deserve when schedules go awry. Don’t miss out on what’s rightfully yours!
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FAQ: Connecting Flights Baggage
What happens to my luggage if I miss my connecting flight?
Report to your airline’s transit or transfer desk immediately for rebooking and baggage assistance. Airlines prioritise re-accommodation for missed connections.Will my duty-free items be a problem when I transit in Singapore?
You can bring duty-free items purchased at other airports if packed in a sealed bag with the receipt clearly visible showing purchase details. This applies except for flights bound for the EU, Australia, or the U.S., where stricter restrictions apply.Do I need to go through customs for a connecting flight?
Usually no, if your baggage is checked through and you stay airside. But if you need to collect luggage or switch terminals, you must clear customs and immigration.