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Old Dec 19, 2014, 1:01 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: audidudi
LHR is a big place and terminals are not connected airside. Airside transfers are done by bus. Landside transfers can be made via the free Heathrow Connect train to T1/2/3. To get from T4 to T5, you can either take train and transfer at T1/2/3 or, depending on timing, use the local bus (free) from T4 to T5.



All Delta Flights depart from London Heathrow Terminal 3:
Check in for DL flights departing LHR T3 is in the same area of the terminal used by VS. This is the southside of the T3 check in area - if looking straight on at the building, go to the left. Business, DM, and PM can use the Upper Class Check in area.

Boston:
DL 58: BOS-LHR...A332.
DL 59: LHR-BOS...A332 (Arrives at Terminal E).

New York:
DL 401: JFK-LHR...A332.
DL 402: JFK-LHR...A332.
DL 403: JFK-LHR...A332.

DL1: LHR-JFK...A332.
DL2: LHR-JFK...A332.
DL3: LHR-JFK...A332.

Atlanta:
DL 30: ATL-LHR...A332.
DL 32: ATL-LHR...A333.

DL 31: LHR-ATL...A332.
DL 33: LHR-ATL...A333.

Detroit:
DL 16: DTW-LHR...A332.
DL 18: DTW-LHR...B763.

DL 17: LHR-DTW...A332.
DL 19: LHR-DTW...B763.

Minneapolis:
DL 10: MSP-LHR...B763.

DL 11: LHR-MSP...B763.

Philadelphia: No longer operates.
DL 194: PHL-LHR...75W.
DL 195: LHR-PHL...75W.

Seattle: Now operated by VS.
DL 4349: SEA-LHR...B789.
DL 4348: LHR-SEA...B789.

Some notes on seats: I have not discussed extensively, as it has been covered ad nauseam on the forum.

Comfort+ - LINK

764:
The J the configuration is 1-2-1. If traveling with a companion, the two middle seats work well, as they're next to each other. With the window seats, the seat console is between the passenger and the aisle on the odd seats, minimizing being bumped by someone in the aisle. Some people do not like the forward seats (1-3) due to galley noise while others like these seats for their privacy.

For Y seats, row 30 (exit row) has tons of space. Comfort+ are rows 15-18. Row 15 is the bulkhead C+ seat - opinions vary, but the legroom here is not as good as on the 763. Refer to the C+ FAQ for pictures.

763:
The 763s on this route are the modified a/c with lie flat J seats. The rows with C+ on the 76Ws typically used on LHR flights are 16-21.

DL Forum 763 Mod Tracking (lots of info on seats) - LINK

Beginning in spring 2018, many of Delta's B767 flights to London were switched to A330s instead, which is generally thought to be a more comfortable aircraft type, especially in business class.

Want to see London on approach to LHR?
If you want the chance to get a good look at London when landing @ LHR (assuming the weather cooperates), sit on the right side of the a/c. If winds dictate landing patterns over the city, you'll see it from this side. Pics from one of my landings.

Immigration & Baggage Collection @ LHR

The FA's will provide a landing card for those with non EU/EEA passports. If you're staying in the UK, you'll need the address (hotel, residence, etc.) for your landing card. Passport control will request the landing card and your passport.

Upon deplaning, you will head to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) checkpoint if remaining in the UK or follow the purple "flight connections" signage if you have an onward flight from any LHR terminal.

If you are connecting, refer to the Heathrow website for details on other terminals and specific flight connections.

When flying BE, the FA's hand out FastTrack passes, which often speed the process of entering the UK, the immigration queues can take a while.
  • T3: As you enter the immigration hall, the UK/EU desks are immediately to your left, keep going straight. The entry to the non-EU passport queue will be ahead on the left and FastTrack will be directly ahead. Keep an eye on the regular queue because it's often faster than FastTrack (more agents).
  • T4: If looking at the UKBA desks, the FastTrack lane has been moved to the center of the passport control area and is in between the EU and non-EU passport queues. In the absence of a FastTrack card, I try to be prompt in getting to passport control...closer to the front, the better!

**Also, be sure to have a copy of your itinerary with you as border agents sometimes ask for evidence of your planned departure from the UK.

Baggage:
After clearing passport control, pax head downstairs to collect their baggage (T3 or T4). LHR baggage is generally pretty good and the priority tags work most of the time^. There are cash machines, vending machines, and restrooms in the baggage hall.

Upon collecting baggage, pax pass through customs and then enter the arrivals hall. Booked taxi courier drivers are often waiting across from the exit doors.
  • T3: As you exit customs into the arrivals hall, follow the lane around - the ramp to the Underground and Heathrow Connect/Express will be on the left. Hotel bus shuttles (Hoppa bus) and the taxi rank are also to the left and outside.
  • T4: Go to the left for the Heathrow Connect/Express trains and go to the right for Underground trains (The Underground (AKA the Tube) is the cheapest way into London via the Piccadilly Line; Heathrow Connect to Paddington with a few stops in between is in the middle; the Heathrow Express is the most expensive direct service to Paddington). Rental car and limousine desks are to the right. Rental car and hotel shuttle buses (Hotel Hoppa) are outside of the terminal - follow posted signs.


Baggage storage is also available outside of security.
  • T3: Left Luggage is near the WH Smith in the arrivals hall.
  • T4: Exit to the right and it is across from the escalators that go down to the Tube station.
It currently costs 5GBP/item for 0-4 hours, 11GBP/item for 4-24 hours storage, and 5GBP/item for each additional 24 hours.

Lounges:

Arrivals @ LHR T3:

D1, DM, and PM can use the VS Revivals Lounge on the mezzanine level. Unlike with departures lounges, DM and PM are not allowed to bring a guest along to the Revivals Lounge (unless flying in D1/Upper Class).

Departures:

LHR T3: Delta One passengers, DMs, and PMs have access to the VS Clubhouse lounge. DMs and PMs may bring one guest who is traveling on the same flight. A 3rd party lounge (the "No. 1 Traveller" Lounge) is offered to GM traveling in economy or Premium Economy.


NOTE: Although the dl.com Sky Club Locations page states that Sky Club members get access to the SkyTeam lounge at LHR, I've had agents at the desk there tell me that my SC card does not matter and my ST Elite+ status is what gets me access unless flying in J.
FT Discussion:
Paid SC Member Denied Access to LHR Sky Team Lounge

Check in and security at LHR T4 (AF, KL, and other SkyTeam partners):
Check in for SkyPriority and J pax is at the desks used for SkyTeam pax.

As far as time for check in, Delta Check In Time Requirements. On that note, I have family (Medallions) who have checked in (with checked baggage) right at 60 minutes before the flight and made it through security and to the plane with a few minutes to spare.

FastTrack for the security checkpoint - The FT lane is to the left if looking at the main security queuing point. Pax flying in J can use FT. I have been able to use FT when flying in Y by showing my DM card. Not sure if it is the policy, but I last used it on March 2013 with no issue. Others have also reported success using the FT lane by showing their credentials.

NOTE: Increased security measures at LHR security checkpoints are creating delays - Email I received from DL LINK

If flying AF or KL from LHR, the latest check in time changes effective 1 Feb 2012: Changes to Latest Check-in Time at LHR on AF/KL
More discussion on London and the UK:
FT UK & Ireland Forum - LINK
UK Air Passenger Duty

DL paid ground transfer JFK-EWR/LGA on TATL flights - LINK

Delta and Virgin Atlantic (VS) Partnership:
dl.com: VIRGIN ATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP FAQS
FT thread: Delta Virgin Atlantic Partnership

NOTE: At LHR, DL and VS use T3 while other SkyTeam carriers use T4. These terminals are not connected air or landside.

VS Fare Classes:
VS fare classes do not align with DL fare classes. VS fare buckets:
Upper Class - J, C, D, I, Z, G (G is an award & upgrade fare class)
Premium Economy W, S, H, K, P
Economy Y, B, R, L, U, M, E, Q, X, V, N, O

Note that because Virgin Atlantic uses the same G fare class for both award tickets and upgrades, if using miles or GUCs to upgrade a Virgin Atlantic flight, it will be rebooked in G and may thus show up to Delta as ineligible for mileage earning with SkyMiles. This is incorrect, as upgraded tickets should earn miles based on the original coach ticket -- so if upgrading Virgin Atlantic flights, pay close attention to your SkyMiles earning and be ready to follow up with Delta to get the miles credited correctly.

dl.com - earning miles on VS (VS is a Tier 1 partner.): LINK

Medallion Benefits flying on VS (DM, PM, GM):
- Priority Check-In
- Priority Baggage Handling
- Priority Security
- Priority Boarding
- Baggage fee waiver for one additional piece up to 23kg (~50lbs)
- VS Clubhouse access with a same-day TATL flight on DL or VS (GMs: only at BOS/EWR/IAD/JFK/LAX/SFO, not LGW/LHR; PM have access at LGW, but not LHR unless in J; DM have access at LGW and LHR)

NOTE: VS J pax (and presumably Medallions) are now eligible for Fast Track security for connections, departures, and arrivals at LHR T3: LINK.

Clubhouse (Lounge) Access:

DL/VS J passengers get access to VS Clubhouse lounges at LGW/LHR and BOS/EWR/IAD/JFK/LAX/SFO with a same-day TATL flight on either DL or VS.

GM in W or Y have access to the BOS/EWR/IAD/JFK/LAX/SFO lounges but not LGW/LHR.

DM or PM in W or Y may use the LGW and LHR Clubhouse lounges as well as BOS/EWR/IAD/JFK/LAX/SFO, and may bring 1 guest traveling on the same flight with them.

DM/PM/GM in W or Y at LHR T3 have access to "No. 1 Traveller" lounge instead of, (for DMs in addition to), the VS Clubhouse.

LHR T3:
al330729's pics from the VS Clubhouse at LHR T3 - LINK

JFK:
As a DM flying JFK-LHR, I was able to use the VS Clubhouse at JFK. For pics, please see:
- Lounge - LINK
- Food - LINK
- Showers/Spa - LINK

VS Revivals (Arrivals) Lounge at LHR T3:
alee0729 had no issues accessing the VS Revivals Lounge following a DL arrival into T3. Shower pic - LINK

On Dec. 21, 2013, I stopped by the Revivals Lounge to get clarification on access for DL Medallion members. Per the agent, only pax flying Upper Class (Business) can currently access the lounge due to space issues; DL Medallion status does not = access. This may change once some DL flights start using T3 in Spring 2014.

Upgrading on VS-Operated Flights:
Virgin Atlantic Code Share Flight Questions
Using SM to Upgrade on VS

Access to Extra Leg Room Seats / Exit Rows on VS-operated Flights:
Possible Improvements to the DL-VS Relationship
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FAQ: Flying to London on DL

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Old Sep 14, 2013, 9:07 am
  #811  
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Originally Posted by thesaints
I must have missed the Medallion program update where it says I was eligible for "short transit hotels with small bathrooms".
Yotel it is what it is. As Medallion privileges are concerned, it qualifies as an "arrival lounge".
"short transit hotels with small bathrooms" - there is truth to advertising!
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Old Sep 14, 2013, 7:16 pm
  #812  
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I'm flying VS from LHR to BOS. Can I access the Virgin Clubhouse as a Skyclub Member? (I'm flying in Economy on an Award Ticket.)
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Old Sep 14, 2013, 8:14 pm
  #813  
 
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Originally Posted by stc
I'm flying VS from LHR to BOS. Can I access the Virgin Clubhouse as a Skyclub Member? (I'm flying in Economy on an Award Ticket.)
No, you can't access as a SkyClub member. Since your profile says you're GM, you can access it through your medallion status. Bring your card just in case.

EDIT: Sorry, only PM and above!

Last edited by realjd; Sep 15, 2013 at 9:45 pm
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Old Sep 15, 2013, 9:49 am
  #814  
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Originally Posted by stc
I'm flying VS from LHR to BOS. Can I access the Virgin Clubhouse as a Skyclub Member? (I'm flying in Economy on an Award Ticket.)
Originally Posted by realjd
No, you can't access as a SkyClub member. Since your profile says you're GM, you can access it through your medallion status. Bring your card just in case.
VS only permits PM and DM flying economy to access the Clubhouse at LHR. GM are excluded from this benefit.

OP cannot use the LHR Sky Team lounge as its in T4 and VS uses T3.
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Old Sep 15, 2013, 9:46 pm
  #815  
 
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Originally Posted by rwoman
VS only permits PM and DM flying economy to access the Clubhouse at LHR. GM are excluded from this benefit.

OP cannot use the LHR Sky Team lounge as its in T4 and VS uses T3.
Good catch. Thanks for the correction. Yes, PM and above only.
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Old Sep 15, 2013, 10:30 pm
  #816  
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Originally Posted by rwoman
VS only permits PM and DM flying economy to access the Clubhouse at LHR. GM are excluded from this benefit.

OP cannot use the LHR Sky Team lounge as its in T4 and VS uses T3.
Sigh this seems like a half-assed partnership between DL and VS. Given I would be stuck in T3 (which is usually a zoo) with no lounge unless I begged my way into the Virgin Club and the difficultly of getting a seat assignment, I rebooked my return flight on Delta out of T4. Maybe I'll give Virgin another chance if it become a real SkyTeam member.
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Old Sep 18, 2013, 2:52 am
  #817  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 647
Originally Posted by rwoman
Quote:





Originally Posted by flyerwma


Has anyone gone through the tax free/VAT refund process at LHR/T4?

Typically, this is a two-step process: step one is getting the customs stamp and step two is processing the refund with the vendor (Travelex/Global Blue/etc.).

Is the location for the customs stamp before or after security? It is not clear on the LHR map, and I have searched in this thread and elsewhere.

Many thanks!




It is before security.

EDIT: The map linked below indicates #9 near the toilets. However, I thought it was to the right of the regular DL check in area.

http://www.heathrowairport.com/stati...row_T4_Map.pdf

I know there's signage on the departures level before security for VAT refunds.
Update:

The VAT signs upstairs direct you to the lift. You need to go down one floor (to 1) to the VAT refund area. There is an express line for 3 refund forms or less and a longer line for more forms.

NOTE: if you have electronics or jewelry over a certain amount (not sure of all parameters), you need to go upstairs (departures) to the customs area. I believe you can do this landslide, but I can confirm there is a desk to do this airside (items need to be in hand luggage). Two options airside. For items that need a real customs official to approve (jewelry etc), there is a customs office once you clear security. Turn right and then at the Travelex VAT kiosk (forgot vendor -- could be Thomas Cook), turn right again and go down the corridor. For other, routine items (and if you want the refund as cash), you can just go to the VAT kiosk indicated in the last sentence.
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Old Sep 18, 2013, 3:16 am
  #818  
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Thumbs up Virgin Atlantic (VS) Clubhouse - JFK T4

Hi all,

As a DM traveling on a DL flight to LHR, I had no issue accessing the VS Clubhouse at JFK. They did ask for my BP and DM card.

The VS Clubhouse is located upstairs near gate A5.

Photos:

Bar Area:


Seating area/pool table across from the bar:


Seating area:


Seating area in front of entry to spa/salon:
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps813ab6d8.jpg

Wider view of the central seating area:
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Old Sep 18, 2013, 3:18 am
  #819  
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Virgin Atlantic (VS) Clubhouse - JFK T4 - Food

Tables across the lounge have staff providing table service.

Menu on each table:


I tried the Red Pepper Bisque:


It's a pretty extensive menu - appetizers, entrees, and dessert. Definitely some British influence!
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Old Sep 18, 2013, 3:22 am
  #820  
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Thumbs up Virgin Atlantic (VS) Clubhouse - JFK T4 - Showers / Spa

The Clubhouse has several showers. I think the DL Sky Club ones may be nicer. VS gives you one towel and there wass no floor mat or wash cloth provided.

Entry:


Shower:


Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap/Moisturizer:


Entry/Reception area for Spa/Hair Salon:
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Old Sep 18, 2013, 7:01 am
  #821  
 
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Thanks for the CH pics, rwoman!

I don't think I've seen this answered: I'm flying ATL-LHR DL BE (as PM), then flying intra-Europe on BA later on the arrival day. When I make the transfer from T4 to T3, can I use the VS clubhouse as an arrivals lounge given that I just flew DL BE?
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Old Sep 18, 2013, 7:13 am
  #822  
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Originally Posted by NotHamSarnie
Thanks for the CH pics, rwoman!

I don't think I've seen this answered: I'm flying ATL-LHR DL BE (as PM), then flying intra-Europe on BA later on the arrival day. When I make the transfer from T4 to T3, can I use the VS clubhouse as an arrivals lounge given that I just flew DL BE?
BA flies from both T3 and T5 (mostly T5). As DL offers the Yotel as an arrivals lounge, I am not sure the VS Clubhouse would let you in on that BP.
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Old Sep 19, 2013, 5:57 pm
  #823  
 
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I need to head to London in October. Most likely getting to fly Business Class. How would you compare the Delta, Air France and KLM product? I may chose to spend a day or so in Paris or Amsterdam. I love both cities, but very different reasons.

Flying from MSP, but open to any hub. I assume that the Delta 330 is a great choice, and most of the 767 have been reconfigured. I see Delta is flying at least one route with a 737. I assume that is one to avoid. Any flights have a 747?

Are there any aircraft on AF or KLM to either rave about or shy away from? If on AF or KLM, an chance for a OPUP from Business to 1st? (they both run 3 cabin correct?) or would be reserved for their own FFers?

Thanks for the help.
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Old Sep 19, 2013, 9:05 pm
  #824  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Originally Posted by Teamstone
I need to head to London in October. Most likely getting to fly Business Class. How would you compare the Delta, Air France and KLM product? I may chose to spend a day or so in Paris or Amsterdam. I love both cities, but very different reasons.

Flying from MSP, but open to any hub. I assume that the Delta 330 is a great choice, and most of the 767 have been reconfigured. I see Delta is flying at least one route with a 737. I assume that is one to avoid. Any flights have a 747?

Are there any aircraft on AF or KLM to either rave about or shy away from? If on AF or KLM, an chance for a OPUP from Business to 1st? (they both run 3 cabin correct?) or would be reserved for their own FFers?

Thanks for the help.
There's now also Virgin Atlantic as an option to LHR, with flights from ORD, EWR, JFK, BOS and maybe some other I'm not recalling at the moment.
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Old Sep 20, 2013, 1:30 am
  #825  
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Originally Posted by Teamstone
I need to head to London in October. Most likely getting to fly Business Class. How would you compare the Delta, Air France and KLM product? I may chose to spend a day or so in Paris or Amsterdam. I love both cities, but very different reasons.

Flying from MSP, but open to any hub. I assume that the Delta 330 is a great choice, and most of the 767 have been reconfigured. I see Delta is flying at least one route with a 737. I assume that is one to avoid. Any flights have a 747?

Are there any aircraft on AF or KLM to either rave about or shy away from? If on AF or KLM, an chance for a OPUP from Business to 1st? (they both run 3 cabin correct?) or would be reserved for their own FFers?

Thanks for the help.
DL only flies 763s (modified) and 764s to/from LHR. I prefer DL lie flat seats over AF or KL. They do not currently fly A330s to/from LHR and only a couple of A330s have been modified; I do not like the old angled seats on this a/c.

You could always fly into LHR, stay in London, then to CDG/Paris, and then home.

As far as OpUps, there are never any guarantees.
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