I have booked tickets through Orbitz. On the way back, we leave Rome at around 645 am for Brussels arrival at 9 am. We then connect to our AA flight at 10 am for JFK.

Cost was a big factor for these tickets, but I want to be prepared for the idea that we miss a flight due to whatever. The Rome to Brussels leg is on Brussels Airlines; the Brussels to JFK leg is on American Airlines.

My questions:

1. I understand that we will have to pass through passport control and security control. Is the one hour connection time enough?
2. I have never purchased on Orbitz. Should we miss our flight, will I have any trouble arranging alternative flights with American Airlines directly?

Finally, Brussels Airlines has the most restrictive luggage policy. Their website states that checked bags must weigh less than 44 lbs - but is there a dimension restriction? I have a 29" suitcase I'm debating about bringing.

Thanks!

1. That can be tight. Brussels Airlines will disembark on the Schengen pier which has an underground connector tunnel to the main terminal building where the non-Schengen/US flights will depart. It can be a LONG walk.
You should be able to check your luggage thru in Rome, but I'm not sure if the Brussels Airlines desk in Rome will be able to issue the boarding pass for the AA flight (different FF alliances). You might want to print your AA boarding passes somewhere in Rome.

2. Since those airlines are in different alliances and the Brussels Airline's flight is probably not a codeshare AA (something you should check), I'd assume that both flights are handled as individual transactions. If you miss your AA flight due to a late arrival of your Brussels Airlines flight, you might be out of luck if the AA is non-refundable or cannot be changed.

3. luggage: no clue.

It shouldn't matter if the airlines are in different alliances or whether the Brussels Airlines flight has an AA code. As long as it's on one ticket, you'll be protected in case of delays. On the day of travel, you'll deal with the airlines directly for reaccommodation.

I've done the Brussels Airlines-AA connection at BRU. One hour is cutting it very close. (You wouldn't think so, but it is.) Walk quickly. Don't dawdle. Part of the problem is that AA does its own secondary screeeing at the gate and that's one more line to stand in.

If this is all on one ticket, you are protected in case of a misconnect, in other words, if your Rome-Brussels flight is late. It is not guaranteed that AA will put you on another airline's flight though. They'll reaccommodate you, but it won't necessarily be the same day. There would be my concern.

When I log into American Airlines, the entire itinenary appears - Brussels Airlines and all. I believe, after some hunting, that Brussels Airlines and AA have a codeshare.

My only concern is making sure that SHOULD something happen, which is always possible, I can walk myself up to the AA counter and get re-routed (without loss of money) somewhere, within a reasonable amount of time. As long as that can happen, I will keep my fingers crossed and prep Mom for a mad dash through an airport!

I remember being surprised at how much time I needed to make the connection. My incoming flight was even a few minutes early, so I had visions of it being a lesiurely connection and that I would have time to get something to eat and to change my leftover euros back. There wasn't time for any of that.

What they feed you on that first flight might not be very much, so get something to eat before you board your flight in Rome. It may be an hour or two into the AA flight before they get the lunch service into full swing.

Raven 01,
FWIW, Brussels Airlines is part of OW alliance (with AA) until June 2011 when it switches to *A.
As others have said, if it is one ticket with the same PNR, you'll be "taken care of" should you miss the connection.

Brussels is an AA partner through June <b>2010</b> but not a Oneworld member.

Patty,
I believe you are right.
However, you can redeem AA miles on Brussels Airline till June 2011