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Being able to check-through bags depends on things known as "interline agreements", it will also govern whether you can "check in" and get boarding passes for connecting legs at the initial check in location.....

Sometimes these will include "code sharing" but not always...

Generally most of the "alliances"- (oneworld, star alliance, skyteam)   have interline agreements amongst members, but sometimes you will also find airlines will make agreements with each other outside of these groupings. like Air NZ and Qantas...

@sbiddle commented on this previously. As I recall it is basically up to what the airline feels like doing for you.

Hmm. Like for example, Air NZ and Singapore Airlines should, even if you book the tickets separately by yourself?

I wouldn't think so. If you booked with one airline from start to finish, but the flights were on different airlines' metal, then they would probably check your bags all the way through (and issue boarding passes all the way through).

Simple answer. It's complex.

If you have multiple flights on a single PNR your bags will be checked to your destination 99% of the time, regardless of whether the airlines are part of the same alliance. As mentioned above this is known as an interline agreement.

If you buy standalone flights on the same airline or multiple airlines you should not expect bags to be checked, even if they're part of the same alliance. Air NZ for example won't even check bags on two standalone Air NZ tickets unless you're Airpoints Elite.

United on the other hand are amazing and will interline bags with pretty much anybody they have an interline agreement with, even if you're on a standalone PNR's. They've check them and give you their bag tag # and it's then your responsibility to get this loaded into the airline system of the next (or subsequent) flight so they get loaded. OW airlines also tend to be a lot more welcoming than *A airlines for interlining.

Without knowing the specific question you're wanting to know the answer to, it can't really be answered.

Batman:

 

Hmm. Like for example, Air NZ and Singapore Airlines should, even if you book the tickets separately by yourself?

 

Depends on the flights, but simple answer is no. Complex answer is maybe.

sbiddle:

 

Simple answer. It's complex.

 

If you have multiple flights on a single PNR your bags will be checked to your destination 99% of the time, regardless of whether the airlines are part of the same alliance. As mentioned above this is known as an interline agreement.

 

If you buy standalone flights on the same airline or multiple airlines you should not expect bags to be checked, even if they're part of the same alliance. Air NZ for example won't even check bags on two standalone Air NZ tickets unless you're Airpoints Elite.

 

United on the other hand are amazing and will interline bags with pretty much anybody they have an interline agreement with, even if you're on a standalone PNR's. They've check them and give you their bag tag # and it's then your responsibility to get this loaded into the airline system of the next (or subsequent) flight so they get loaded. OW airlines also tend to be a lot more welcoming than *A airlines for interlining.

 

Without knowing the specific question you're wanting to know the answer to, it can't really be answered.

 

 

 

 

 

What's a PNR? Something a travel agent can book for?

Passenger Name Record - basically your booking reference.

Will booking via a travel agent allow checking of baggage until the final destination then?

Yes - as long as all the legs are under the same booking reference and your travel agent doesn't stuff it up!

I've got a flight coming up to Houston and then on to Fort Lauderdale and booked the two separately online to take advantage of sales. So they have different booking references but are both on UA so based on what @sbiddle said above, I'm hopeful that the nice checkin person will check them right through for me.

Batman:

 

Will booking via a travel agent allow checking of baggage until the final destination then?

 

Depends. You'll only be able to interline if the travel agent is able to ticket multiple flights on the same PNR.

If they book you two standalone fares you will not be able to interline your bags.

kryptonjohn:

 

Yes - as long as all the legs are under the same booking reference and your travel agent doesn't stuff it up!

 

I've got a flight coming up to Houston and then on to Fort Lauderdale and booked the two separately online to take advantage of sales. So they have different booking references but are both on UA so based on what @sbiddle said above, I'm hopeful that the nice checkin person will check them right through for me.

 

 

 

As long as you're *G UA agents at the Premier counter will be able to do this. Some may find it confusing, but you\ll normally find an agent who knows how.

The important thing is you have to ensure if you're changing airlines (to say NZ) that you get NZ to load the UA bag tag #. If you don't your bags won't get loaded on the NZ flight even if they're tagged.

ok thanks everyone!

I once travelled with a colleague to Barcelona via Singapore and Heathrow. 

Her journey started in Nelson and mine in Blenheim at about the same time.  Her bags were checked all the way through.  I had to collect mine at Heathrow and check-in for the final leg to Barcelona.