How do I know if my flight is a connecting flight?

How to Determine if Your Flight is a Connecting Flight

When planning air travel, it’s important to understand the type of flight you have booked, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the concept of connecting flights. A connecting flight involves a journey that includes multiple stops, with a layover at intermediate airports before reaching your final destination.

To determine if your flight is a connecting flight, you can refer to your itinerary’s Passenger Name Record (PNR). The PNR is a unique reference number assigned to each passenger’s booking and contains details about your entire trip.

Single PNR: Connecting Flight

If your itinerary has a single PNR, it indicates that you have booked a connecting flight. This means that the entire journey, including all legs and layovers, is covered under a single PNR. When you check in for your flight, you will receive a single boarding pass that covers the entire journey.

This type of booking is typically made through a single airline or a partnering airline arrangement. The advantages of a connecting flight with a single PNR include automatic baggage transfer between flights and a smoother overall travel experience.

Multiple PNRs: Separate Bookings

On the other hand, if your itinerary has multiple PNRs, it means that you have booked separate flights, even if they were arranged together by a travel agent or website. Each leg of your journey will have its own PNR, and you will need to check in for each flight independently.

In such cases, baggage transfer is not guaranteed, and you may need to claim your baggage at the intermediate airport and check it in again for your connecting flight. This can lead to additional delays and inconvenience.

Implications of PNR Type

Understanding the PNR type is crucial because it affects aspects such as:

• Baggage transfer: With a single PNR, baggage will be automatically transferred between flights, while with multiple PNRs, you may need to retrieve and re-check baggage.
• Rebooking and delays: If a delay or cancellation affects one leg of a connecting flight with a single PNR, the airline is responsible for rebooking you on all subsequent legs. However, with multiple PNRs, you may need to rebook separate flights independently.

In conclusion, by checking your itinerary’s PNR, you can easily determine if your flight is a connecting flight. If you have a single PNR, you can expect a seamless journey with automatic baggage transfer and streamlined rebooking in case of delays. If you have multiple PNRs, be prepared for potential baggage handling issues and may need to rebook flights independently in case of disruptions.