ARCHIVE: BA T5 <-> AA T3 transfer /connection at LHR / Heathrow
#31
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,083
i.e. Therefore you can proceed directly to the Admirals club.
#32
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: AA EXP-OW Emerald-3 MM-Lifetime Platinum-ADM Club, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 93
Perfect
Came through T5 from Stuttgart connecting to T3 and AA to LAX. Very smooth, whole process took about 35 minutes from T5 jetbridge to the T3 FS Lounge.
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
I passed through LHR in May and completely forgot to have a printout, I was connecting SAS to AA on 2 seperate tickets. At the BP check before security I just told the guy I was connecting onto AA 173 to RDU, he gave me a letter w/ the security stamp which said something to the effect of "this pax has claimed to be on an onward flight etc. etc."
#34
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, DL PM, Bonvoy Titanium (Plat Life), HH G, Amtrak, B6, MR
Posts: 1,548
I did this a few weeks ago. Arrived on BA from HKG and was connecting to AA. Since I had about 4 hours to spare, I actually went through arrivals and went to the BA arrivals lounge in T5 (why it's landside is beyond me) for a shower, massage and breakfast. Then I took the Heathrow Express to T3. I had no trouble, long lines or long delays anywhere.
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, MR Gold, Avis Pref
Posts: 41,109
Is it any longer one way or another? rephrased, is it longer from AA T3 > BA T5 or is it longer from BA T5 > AA T3
#36
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
Dave
#37
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Our recent experience with a 2.5 hour connection T3 - T5 was eminently easier than previous LHR terminal changes - using Flight Connections Centre seemed speedier, the bus has increased its frequency and it took perhaps 35 minutes from arrival in T3 from ORD to arriving in the Galleries First lounge in the appropriate wing for our departure to OTP (though flight departure gates are not posted until fairly close to departure, staff can tell you the usual departure wing.)
But... security is more TSA-like (shoes off in all cases, etc. though this seems to vary on some days,) and our USA cabin-OK rollaboards were counter checked because they did not exactly fit the confines of the carry-on baggage template. The bags did arrive at OTP on our flight, but were not marked Priority (we were in Business and are both oneworld Emerald) or the like, and one of the two bags was amongst the last few delivered to the baggage carousel.
T5 is obviously designed as airport terminal cum upscale shopping centre - but the prices, though they may even be duty free, are certainly far from profit free. I certainly spotted no bargains here.
Our experiences T5 to T3 Wednesday July 2 were quite similar - it did not take long, thoguh US departure shoe carnival etc. does take a little time, and we were soon in the Flagship Lounge. When we emerged for the walk to the distant gate, a chap drove us there n an electric cart, and told us this would not longer be possible in the near future due to the dividers being installed to separate arriving and departing passengers.
(With a side chuckle to Dave Noble on the Arrivals Lounge info! )
But... security is more TSA-like (shoes off in all cases, etc. though this seems to vary on some days,) and our USA cabin-OK rollaboards were counter checked because they did not exactly fit the confines of the carry-on baggage template. The bags did arrive at OTP on our flight, but were not marked Priority (we were in Business and are both oneworld Emerald) or the like, and one of the two bags was amongst the last few delivered to the baggage carousel.
T5 is obviously designed as airport terminal cum upscale shopping centre - but the prices, though they may even be duty free, are certainly far from profit free. I certainly spotted no bargains here.
Our experiences T5 to T3 Wednesday July 2 were quite similar - it did not take long, thoguh US departure shoe carnival etc. does take a little time, and we were soon in the Flagship Lounge. When we emerged for the walk to the distant gate, a chap drove us there n an electric cart, and told us this would not longer be possible in the near future due to the dividers being installed to separate arriving and departing passengers.
(With a side chuckle to Dave Noble on the Arrivals Lounge info! )
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 16, 2008 at 9:54 pm Reason: add / spell check
#38
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
But... security is more TSA-like (shoes off in all cases, etc.) ...
#39
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
#40
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: Recovering AA flyer, LT PLT 2.6 MM
Posts: 1,543
My boss and I actually did a race. He went airside, I used IRIS. Our one data point suggests it's a wash.
#41
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
Seriously, though, even if checking luggage, I always carry a change of clothes and some essential toiletries in case my checked bags don't make it.
BA...cough...LHR...cough...
#42
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Evanston, Illinois USA (ORD)
Programs: AA 4.0 MM Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 251
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
I shall transit LHR T3 to T5 later this week and will report back. I plan to transfer landside. I think landside transfer might be faster (depending of course upon the queues at immigration, and if you just miss the train which runs every 15 minutes).
I originated at LHR T5 a couple of weeks ago and shoes did not have to come off. Perhaps the origination drill differs from the connection drill.
I originated at LHR T5 a couple of weeks ago and shoes did not have to come off. Perhaps the origination drill differs from the connection drill.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
Cheers.
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
When we were last through T3 (end of May) they had a separate shoe x-ray machine after the regular x-ray. No shoes off at the main checkpoint, and then ALL shoes off onto the conveyor belt at the second machine. Not sure if this was made permanent (looked pretty permanent), or is at other terminals, though.
Cheers.
Cheers.