Stupid check-in question

[Ladyshopper]

Sorry this is so basic, but I have a query about a flight I’ve just booked.

Booked through BA, and it’s a BA flight number, but it’s operated by Finnair.

For checking in (LHR) do I just go to the BA desks, or does it have to be done at a different desk?

Reason I ask is that I require an extra suitcase for medical equipment. With BA this is sorted at the check-in desk as per their policy, and is generally pretty easy. Wondering how complicated it’s going to get if I have to go to the Finnair desks rather than BA.

I also can’t select special assistance via BA, says I need to call them. Of course, when I try, it just says their number is too busy and hangs up on me. I did try the Finnair website, but the only thing you seem to be able to do on there is fill out a special assistance request form (which I’ve done).

Thanks for any help.

[yonasl]

If it is a BA flight “operated by…” then it is a BA flight. The only Finnair bit is the metal of the plane.

[Ladyshopper]

yonasl wrote:

If it is a BA flight “operated by…” then it is a BA flight. The only Finnair bit is the metal of the plane.

That’s great, thanks for confirming.

All my other BA booked flights have been on BA metal, so I just wasn’t sure!

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

The only flight AY operate themselves from LHR is to HEL. BA don’t fly to HEL.

Any other AY operated flight will actually be a BA flight.

So if you are going to HEL you check in with AY. Otherwise it’s BA.

[Ladyshopper]

BA Flyer IHG Stayer wrote:

The only flight AY operate themselves from LHR is to HEL. BA don’t fly to HEL.

Any other AY operated flight will actually be a BA flight.

So if you are going to HEL you check in with AY. Otherwise it’s BA.

It’s Copenhagen we’re off to. I’ll head to the BA desks as per usual.

[John]

It’s T5 right? There aren’t any Finnair desks in T5 anyway

This is a special situation, as BA has contracted Finnair to operate a BA service.

In other circumstances, i.e. a codeshare, it is just one airline slapping its own flight number on another airline’s flight, and in that case you would check in with the operating airline.

[Ladyshopper]

John wrote:

It’s T5 right? There aren’t any Finnair desks in T5 anyway

This is a special situation, as BA has contracted Finnair to operate a BA service.

In other circumstances, i.e. a codeshare, it is just one airline slapping its own flight number on another airline’s flight, and in that case you would check in with the operating airline.

Yes, T5. I’m not a frequent flyer particularly (well, especially compared to the majority of people on here!) but I hadn’t really thought about the fact it only seems to be generally BA from T5. I haven’t paid any attention to whether there are or aren’t any other desks there until your comment prompted me to think about it (and Google!).

Thanks to all that have answered my silly question. Hopefully I’ll be able to get the special assistance thing resolved in the next few days too.

[Tocsin]

Late to this, but I wanted to say – not a silly question @Ladyshopper . It is unusual for BA to ‘outsource’ their flights (‘wetlease’ in the jargon), but there has been a large increase this year due to BA management’s poor planning and resourcing. The Finnair crew operate a BA-standard service which is quite acceptable (I haven’t experienced the other company’s effort yet).

If you don’t fly very often and aren’t an aviation geek then the situation can be difficult to fully sort out. The only silly question is the unasked one!