Connection Flight Question

[thats4shaw]

Hi guys,

I'm returning home after my first overseas trip and have a bit of newby question.

I've booked with Pacific Blue to get from Melbourne to Christchurch, however it is via Brisbane.

Looking at my iterinary/ticket it has the one barcode so they aren't obviously separate tickets and is considered a connection I'm guessing?

Anyway the Melbourne to Brisbane flight says is with Virgin Blue and then Brisbane to Christchurch is back with Pacific Blue.

My questions are:
1) At Melbourne which counter do i go to ... Virgin or Pacific?
2) Do I have to collect my baggage at Brisbane and recheck in for the international flight?

I have a 3 hour gap so that is more than enough time to get from domestic to the international terminal. I'm just nervous about the whole connection thing regarding my baggage.

If my bags did checked all the way through what are the chances of them stuffing up and not having my bags when i arrive back in Christchurch? Since they are pretty much two separate airlines despite the fact they are owned by the same people.

As you can tell I'm new to travelling and a bit paranoid so please ease my mind

Many thanks.

 

[straitman]

Hi guys,

I'm returning home after my first overseas trip and have a bit of newby question.

I've booked with Pacific Blue to get from Melbourne to Christchurch, however it is via Brisbane.

Looking at my iterinary/ticket it has the one barcode so they aren't obviously separate tickets and is considered a connection I'm guessing?

Anyway the Melbourne to Brisbane flight says is with Virgin Blue and then Brisbane to Christchurch is back with Pacific Blue.

My questions are:
1) At Melbourne which counter do i go to ... Virgin or Pacific?
2) Do I have to collect my baggage at Brisbane and recheck in for the international flight?

I have a 3 hour gap so that is more than enough time to get from domestic to the international terminal. I'm just nervous about the whole connection thing regarding my baggage.

If my bags did checked all the way through what are the chances of them stuffing up and not having my bags when i arrive back in Christchurch? Since they are pretty much two separate airlines despite the fact they are owned by the same people.

As you can tell I'm new to travelling and a bit paranoid so please ease my mind

Many thanks.

thats4shaw,

Welcome to AFF.

I understand why you are nervous but there really is nothing to be too concerned about.

In MEL I would either ask one of the staff that are normally standing around just inside the door. If you cannot find someone then I would go to the Pacific Blue counter. At worst they will send you to another counter.

I would believe that they should check your bag through as it is all on one ticket. Baggage transfers are normal and happen all the time so you can expect it all to work. It is only rarely that things go astray and then they are normally located.

Remember that if your return is in the next week that the airtrain is free until 21st Jan.

 

[thats4shaw]

Thanks for your reply Bill.

I think i'll just hit up the Pacific Blue counter first and they can point me in the right direction.

Feeling a bit better about the whole baggage transfer now too, still worried about it all though but that's just me being paranoid .

Thanks for the info about the AirTrain - I fly back Monday so I will definitely take advantage of that!