LHR Terminal 5: FAQ, information and updates

[BAW217]

Sitting in the Gallaries first currently, and I'm very impressed.

Check in to Lounge (via North Security) was no more than 10mins.

First lounge is large, 8 PC's by the Terrace and more in the Business suite at the back of the lounge.

Bacon rolls are there waiting for you, so no need to order, there are also some warm mini Crossaints etc and a good choice of fresh fruit.


The Terrace is nice, its quite and its got great views.

Showers are smaller than they used to be, but after a 3am start this morning, I was glad just to have a shower, but they are fine, nothing wrong with them.

European flights are also departing from T5B and my gate for my flight has changed twice already, so keep an eye on the boards!


All in all a far far far far far nicer experiance than T4 or T1, shame I live in Crawley, and takes a while to get here, can we have a T5 at LGW please?


Cheers

[Blackjackburger]

Originally Posted by Trav+

The Sofitel is due to open in 'Summer 2008' according to the website. The hotel closest to T5 is (looks slightly ashamed of herself, but unbowed) a new-ish Travelodge, which opened in December last year.

Although the TL cannot compare with Sofitel, if all you need is a place to sleep that is a step up from the Yotel, then perhaps the TL might suit. Otherwise have a look at the Hilton at T4.

Thanks Trav+

I had a look at the Sofitel - would have been ideal, but think I will have been and gone by the time it opens. Given the time I am actually going to be in there TL may well suffice. Looking for least hassle of getting to/from T5 and hotel.

[Petrus]

Unfortunately it appears I will be doing this connection until NYC flights are moved to T5.

Once people have tested this please report back on the experience. Duration, hurdles and so forth.

If it is too much of a hassle I may just book my onward to CPH on SK from T3
Is there a BA guide with estimated durations for T4 to T5 connections?

[frankvb]

Originally Posted by Petrus

Once people have tested this please report back on the experience. Duration, hurdles and so forth.

Without actually having done a T4/T5 transfer... I'd try the bus. At least it will not need a change at Heathrow central. 482 & 490 should do it - bus stop 6 at T5, see also here http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...5spidermap.pdf

And it is free as well

Oops, I should have read the 'FCC' in the original post just above - my option is for people wanting to connect landside.

[Trav+]

Originally Posted by Blackjackburger

Thanks Trav+

I had a look at the Sofitel - would have been ideal, but think I will have been and gone by the time it opens. Given the time I am actually going to be in there TL may well suffice. Looking for least hassle of getting to/from T5 and hotel.

You're welcome.

The hotel is just on the far side of J14 at the M25, but transport options are limited to walking, taxi and ... erm, that's it. The number 61 bus goes towards Poyle, but it may be far too fiddly to take the bus two stops then walk to the hotel - sounds tedious even to write. Taxi fare plus a £29 room isn't such a bad deal, though, is it? Edit: there seems to be a T5 Hoppa serving the hotel; whether or not it's really on the move I haven't yet ascertained.

[sebft]

Originally Posted by elitetraveler

My take is BA believes their set up of numerous kiosks and bag drops will eliminate lines negating the need for dedicated check-in for CW, Silver, etc.

I think yesterday proved my point quite well. Queues will never go away because there are always bad days.. If I was in BA management, I would be creating a temporary Zone R as of first thing this morning.

seb

[elitetraveler]

Originally Posted by sebft

I think yesterday proved my point quite well. Queues will never go away because there are always bad days.. If I was in BA management, I would be creating a temporary Zone R as of first thing thing morning.

seb

Most of us would not like our life to be judged based on how we were the day we were born That said, I pretty much agree with you, but perhaps time will prove BA correct. I think it is too early to tell, but the first look wasn't promising.

[Coakers]

Originally Posted by Trav+

You're welcome.

The hotel is just on the far side of J14 at the M25, but transport options are limited to walking, taxi and ... erm, that's it. The number 61 bus goes towards Poyle, but it may be far too fiddly to take the bus two stops then walk to the hotel - sounds tedious even to write. Taxi fare plus a £29 room isn't such a bad deal, though, is it? Edit: there seems to be a T5 Hoppa serving the hotel; whether or not it's really on the move I haven't yet ascertained.

I have booked into the TL for September, and asked about transport and they advised there is a shuttle bus between TL & T5 that I think is £3. If you phone them up then they will be able to confirm

Chris

[uk1]

I'm puzzled about the confusing information or perhaps incorrect information BA seem to be publishing about terminal migration plans and facilities.

I've just booked a pair of F return redemptions to SYD via SIN travelling in Feb 2009. So I checked this thread for the latest on terminal migration plans. In Prospero's helpful dropdown list it says that it migrates from T4 to T3 in "January 2009". In the links part of Prospero OP it says:

BA's facility at Terminal 3: "a little piece of Terminal 5 at Terminal 3"
http://www.terminal5.ba.com/en/terminal-3/

And on this link it says

Due to our large operation at Heathrow, from 17 September 2008 a small number of flights will operate from our base at Heathrow Terminal 3. There, a multi-million pound transformation is underway to ensure passengers continue to receive the excellent service they expect when flying with British Airways.

You’ll use Terminal 3 if you’re flying British Airways from or to:
Bangkok Sydney Singapore Madrid Barcelona Helsinki Lisbon Nice

....... the only rational interpetation of this is that all destinations migrate from their current T's to T3 "from 17 September 2008".

Anyone hitting that page that are travelling to SIN or SYD after 17th September 2008 might go to T3 rather than T4 which is printed on their confirmation.

On my printed e-ticket and on the confirmation I've received in the post today it states that "the flight departs from T4 on xx Feb 2009"

At the moment - any non-FT'er who'd received my confirmation would be going to T4 - because that's what BA told them to do!


I wanted to find out what F passengers might enjoy at the combined Galleries lounge. There's a link on the T3 page (mentioned above) - but that link takes you to the T5 Galleries blurb where there are seperate F lounges, so info about T3 might not be the same. So one cannot find out what F passengers might expect in T3. And there's no explanation of what all premium PAX should expect lounge-wise between 17th Sept 08 and when Gallleries opens in "early 2009" or indeed whether F passengers will have any facilities when flights move there.

This information feels shambolic to me - or ami I just missing something?

[k22]

So much for all the excitement! It's all gone very quiet! You can't help but love stickies!

[tismfu]

Question for the lounge experts: I arrive LHR T3 in AA First, transferring to T5 for a BA flight in CE to IST. But, if I'm reading BA's site correctly, it appears that I won't have access to the T5 Galleries lounge with showers based on my BA class of travel.

Am I reading that correctly?

Trying to figure out if I should grab a shower at AA's T3 Admiral's Club or BA's T5 Galleries.

Many thanks for any insight and apologies if this query is in the wrong place.

[Teece]

Originally Posted by tismfu

Question for the lounge experts: I arrive LHR T3 in AA First, transferring to T5 for a BA flight in CE to IST. But, if I'm reading BA's site correctly, it appears that I won't have access to the T5 Galleries lounge with showers based on my BA class of travel.

Am I reading that correctly?

Trying to figure out if I should grab a shower at AA's T3 Admiral's Club or BA's T5 Galleries.

Many thanks for any insight and apologies if this query is in the wrong place.

? Why would you not have access to at least the Galleries Club lounges when in CE? With your AA BP, you should be allowed access to at least Galleries First as well (possibly Concorde Room, who knows?) due to OW rules.

[tismfu]

Originally Posted by Teece

? Why would you not have access to at least the Galleries Club lounges when in CE? With your AA BP, you should be allowed access to at least Galleries First as well (possibly Concorde Room, who knows?) due to OW rules.

Thanks for the help. I was confused (obviously), as when I went back to BA's site I read that I would indeed have access based on CE.

This is what led me to believe I'd only have access to a smaller (and showerless?) lounge in T5:

Originally Posted by OP

Galleries Club South
Open to all passengers travelling in First or Club World as well as Gold and Silver Executive Club members (or oneworld Emerald and Sapphire equivalent), the following facilities shall be on offer:

• The Chef’s Theatre and Food Court with a view into the kitchen
• The Terrace viewing area and bar
• Two ‘Silver’ Bars

Galleries Club North
A small Club lounge at the northern end of the terminal will open for Club Europe passengers as well as Gold and Silver Executive Club members (or oneworld Emerald and Sapphire equivalent) travelling on short haul and domestic routes.


Galleries Club in Satellite B
This 465 seat Club lounge is located in T5B, the satellite terminal

Is there a 'better' shower area I should take advantage of thanks to arriving in AA First? I was thinking that BA lounge admittance was granted solely due to BA class of service flown, BA status, or oneworld status.

Thanks again for the clarification.

[Teece]

Originally Posted by tismfu

This is what led me to believe I'd only have access to a smaller (and showerless?) lounge in T5:


Is there a 'better' shower area I should take advantage of thanks to arriving in AA First? I was thinking that BA lounge admittance was granted solely due to BA class of service flown, BA status, or oneworld status.

Thanks again for the clarification.

You can ignore that - not only will you have free reign to access any of the Club lounges - North, South or T5B (not open until April 30th) - they all have showers, as discussed earlier in the thread. I've no idea as to the merits of AA arrivals showers vs T5 departures showers - but again, with your inbound F BP from AA, you should be able to access the BA F lounge under OW rules. The showers are common to all the South lounges, though, so from a hygene perspective, it makes no difference

[Shuttle-Bored]

Originally Posted by k22

So much for all the excitement! It's all gone very quiet! You can't help but love stickies!

Erm, you'll find that the excitement has moved over to this thread. Since the sticky contains useful terminal move info etc, I think there's probably still value in leaving it here.