Jazmin Li
A transfer desk is a check-in desk located after security in an airport. It is used by passengers who are transferring through the airport, i.e., those who arrive on one flight and are departing on another. Transfer desks are useful when a passenger has separate itineraries booked with different airlines, and they need to check-in and collect their boarding pass for the next flight. They are also used to re-check baggage for connecting flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | After security, customs, and immigration |
| Usage | For passengers transferring through the airport, i.e., those arriving on one flight and departing on another |
| Purpose | To check-in for connecting flights, receive boarding passes, and drop off/re-check baggage |
| Benefits | Passengers avoid exiting through immigration and customs, checking-in separately, and passing through security again |
| Minimum Connecting Time | Varies by airport and flight type (e.g., domestic or international) |
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What You'll Learn
Transfer desks are for connecting flights
Transfer desks are a useful resource for travellers with connecting flights. They are typically located after customs and immigration at most airports, and they are especially helpful for those arriving on one airline and continuing their journey with another. This is often the case for international travel, where a second flight is required after arriving at a gateway city. For example, a traveller flying from Paris to Washington D.C. on Air France, and then continuing onwards to their final destination on a separate ticket with United Airlines, would benefit from using the transfer desk.
Transfer desks are also useful when a traveller's luggage has been automatically transferred at one airport, but they need to collect their boarding pass for their next flight. In this case, the transfer desk is where they can re-check their bags and obtain their new boarding pass. This process can be necessary even if a traveller's connecting flights are with the same airline or closely partnered airlines. For example, a traveller flying with KLM may still need to check in separately for their connecting flight if it is not with a SkyTeam airline.
Transfer desks can also be used to seal tax-free purchases. Some airports confiscate unsealed tax-free goods from transfer passengers at security checks. Additionally, travellers who miss their connecting flights due to unforeseen circumstances can be rebooked onto the next available flight at the transfer desk or a self-service kiosk. This is usually a free service if the connecting flights are booked with the same airline or partner airlines.
Overall, transfer desks provide a convenient service for travellers with connecting flights, allowing them to efficiently manage their luggage, boarding passes, and other travel-related tasks without having to exit through immigration and customs and then pass through security again.
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They are usually located after security and customs
A transfer desk is usually located after security and customs at the airport. It is meant for passengers who are transferring through the airport, i.e., those who arrive on one flight and are departing on another. Transfer desks are usually located after security and customs, and sometimes in a completely different terminal. They are meant for passengers who haven't checked in for their connecting flight and need to do so to receive their boarding pass. This is especially useful when a passenger has two separate itineraries booked with different airlines.
At the transfer desk, passengers can check-in for their connecting flight and receive their boarding pass. They can also drop off their baggage, which will then be transferred to their next flight. This saves the passenger from having to exit through immigration and customs, check-in, and pass through security again. Transfer desks are usually located after customs and immigration at US ports of entry.
For example, if a passenger flies from London to New York and then continues on to Chicago, they would have to clear immigration, collect their bags, clear customs, and then go to the transfer desk. At the transfer desk, they would leave their bags for their next flight to Chicago. If the connecting flights are with different airlines, the transfer is not protected. In this case, if the first flight arrives late, the passenger will have to find an alternative flight themselves.
Transfer desks are also useful when a passenger is travelling internationally and taking a second flight after arriving at a gateway city. For instance, when flying from Europe to the United States, a passenger has to go through passport control/immigration, collect their bags, take them through customs, and make their declaration. The transfer desk is where they would re-check their bags and get a new boarding pass if necessary.
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They are useful for separate tickets/itineraries
Transfer desks at airports are useful for travellers with separate tickets or itineraries. They are typically located after customs and immigration at US ports of entry, and can be used by passengers arriving on one airline who will then be continuing their journey with a different airline. This is particularly helpful when the tickets are booked independently of one another, and the airlines are not partners or part of the same alliance.
For example, if a traveller flies from Paris to Washington D.C. with Air France, and then intends to fly onwards to Chicago with United Airlines, they will need to clear immigration, collect their bags, clear customs, and then go to a transfer desk. Here, they can drop their bags for their next flight and get a new boarding pass. This means they do not need to exit through immigration and customs, check-in, and pass through security again. Transfer desks can also be useful for rechecking bags and printing boarding passes.
Transfer desks are also helpful when travellers have booked two separate award tickets, or need to transfer at a gateway city. For instance, when flying from Europe to the United States, a traveller may need to go through passport control and immigration, collect their bags, take them through customs, and make a declaration. The transfer desk is where they can then recheck their bags on the domestic side and get a new boarding pass.
It is important to note that if a traveller's connecting flights are with different airlines, their transfer may not be protected. This means that if their first flight is delayed and they miss their connection, they will need to find an alternative flight themselves. To ensure some protection, travellers can book a self-transfer flight through a travel agent, who can support with rebooking if there are any delays.
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They can be used for checking in and collecting boarding passes
Transfer desks at airports are typically used by passengers who are transferring through the airport to catch a connecting flight. They are usually located after security, customs, and immigration, and can be used for checking in and collecting boarding passes for onward flights.
If a passenger has not checked in for their connecting flight, they can use the transfer desk to do so and receive their boarding pass. This is particularly useful if the connecting flight is with a different airline or carrier, as it is often not possible to get the boarding pass for the second leg of the journey when checking in for the first. For instance, if a passenger is flying from London to New York and then continuing on to Chicago, they would need to clear immigration, collect their baggage, clear customs, and then proceed to the transfer desk to check-in for their flight to Chicago and receive their boarding pass.
Transfer desks can also be used to drop off baggage for connecting flights. At some airports, such as Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the transfer desk provides a designated counter for each airline, where passengers can drop off their baggage and have their boarding passes printed. This allows passengers to conveniently proceed to the departure level without having to go to the individual airline counters.
It is important to note that, when using a transfer desk, passengers should have already checked in online and have their boarding pass for the initial flight ready to show the agent. This will allow the agent to tag any checked baggage and ensure a smooth and timely process. In some cases, transfer desks can help passengers make tight connections, even if their flights are booked independently and depart from different terminals.
Overall, transfer desks provide a convenient and efficient way for passengers with connecting flights to check-in, collect boarding passes, and manage their baggage without having to go through the standard check-in process again.
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They can also be used for checking baggage
Transfer desks are usually located after customs and immigration at US ports of entry. They are typically used by passengers who are arriving at a gateway city and taking a second flight. For example, if you are flying from Paris to Washington D.C. on Air France and then continuing onwards to your final destination on a separate ticket with United, you can use the transfer desk to check in and check your bag. This means you do not have to exit through immigration and customs, check-in, and then pass through security again.
Transfer desks can also be used for checking baggage. For instance, if you are flying from London to New York and then continuing on to Chicago, you will have to clear immigration, collect your bags, clear customs, and then go to a transfer desk where you can leave your bags for your next flight. This process is known as 're-checking' your bags.
The transfer desk is also useful if you have separate tickets for your flights. For example, if you have booked two separate award tickets, you can use the transfer desk to re-check your bags. This is because, in most cases, airlines will not check your bags through to your final destination if you have separate tickets.
In addition, transfer desks can be used to print boarding passes for connecting flights. This means that passengers do not have to go to the terminal their flight is departing from to get their boarding pass. At some airports, such as Mactan Cebu International Airport, there are designated counters at the transfer desk for different airlines, where passengers can drop their baggage and get their boarding passes printed.
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Frequently asked questions
An airport transfer desk is a lot like a check-in desk, but it is located after security. It is used by passengers transferring through the airport, who need to check in for their onward flight and receive their boarding pass.
Those who arrive on one flight and are leaving on another, and have not checked in for their second flight, use the transfer desk.
If you are travelling internationally and taking a second flight after you arrive at a gateway city, you will likely use the transfer desk. For example, if you are flying from London to New York, and then on to Chicago, you will need to use the transfer desk.
At the transfer desk, you can check in for your next flight, receive your boarding pass, and drop off your baggage.
The transfer desk is located after security, usually just after customs and immigration at US ports of entry.
