Overnight Layover: What Happens to Checked Luggage?
 

I'm flying to France from the US, with an intentional overnight layover in London. When I arrive in London, what will happen to my checked luggage until the second leg of my flight the next day? Will it be kept at the airport or will I need to retrieve it and recheck it the next day? Most importantly, will I ever see it again? :) Thanks so much for responding!

Don't you want your bag for the overnight? Tell them to check to London and you will have to recheck the next day.

I've done a few overnight layovers and I have never left my bag at the airport. I can't imagine the airline would do this even if you asked them to, but I'm sure someone here will set me straight if I'm wrong.

Usually with an overnight layover your baggage will only be checked to the connecting city where you collect your luggage and re-check it the next day.

Thanks, everyone!

Well I had a different experience. They did in fact check the bag through to our final destination. We had planned in case that occurred and simply had a change of clothes in our carry on bag. We were on United. I would suggest you double check at check in when you check your bag.

When we've flown BA with an extended layover in London our bags were retrieved upon our arrival in London for our short stay and checked in upon our return. No problems so far.

I have had it both ways.. Once on Luftansa they kept the baggage, no options

Delta always asks me and I always pick it up. I figure leaving it there just gives them a chance to stick it in someplace "out of the way" and lose it! :)

When we flew BA from Nice to London we stayed overnight. We took one of our checked bags with us, and the others were held until our flight the following day. However, when we landed at Dallas, our bags were nowhere to be found. We got them several days later (delivered to our home), but I wouldn't leave the bags at the airport again.

Thanks, Underhill. That's exactly what I'm worried about, so I guess I'll try to keep it myself overnight.

So here's the end of the story: When I checked my bags, the agent was beginning to tag them all the way through to France. I asked whether she could just check them to London so I could have them for the night, and she easily agreed to do that. I guess it can be either way, based on your preference.

Thanks for the follow-up.

Glad it was easy for you.

There is no question whether the OP can short-check the luggage - as it is clearly possible with a long layover. The only question is whether they can indeed check them to the final destination with an overnight layover (and whether that increases the chance of losing it).