Fast Track at LHR
Jul 3, 2016, 9:00 am
#16
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I also have a question concerning a connection:
We are flying on August 23rd with CX from HKG to LHR, 3 pax, in J. (EU citizens) Arriving T3, 18.10 pm. From terminal 4 we have a separate connecting flight with KLM from LHR to AMS, 20.25pm. (separate ticket/booking, in Y) Connection time is 2hr en 15 min. This means we most probably have to go through customs in terminal 3, collect our baggage, then travel to terminal 4, and check in again.
We are flying on August 23rd with CX from HKG to LHR, 3 pax, in J. (EU citizens) Arriving T3, 18.10 pm. From terminal 4 we have a separate connecting flight with KLM from LHR to AMS, 20.25pm. (separate ticket/booking, in Y) Connection time is 2hr en 15 min. This means we most probably have to go through customs in terminal 3, collect our baggage, then travel to terminal 4, and check in again.
As you stated, you will enter the UK at T3 immigration, then collect the bags. Customs (assuming nothing to declare) is usually just walking through the marked door. You are now in T3 Arrivals.
Next, you would make your way to the Heathrow Central station (bags on rolling carts) and take the next Heathrow Connect shuttle train bound for T4. Trains leave every 15 minutes and the train journey takes 6 minutes. No charge, and no ticket is needed - just get on board.
When the train arrives at T4 lower level, you take the lift up to T4 Departures for KLM checkin.
The two time complications are how quickly the bags take to arrive on the belt at T3, and, more ominously, the time needed for Y checkin at KLM.
Last edited by Non-NonRev; Jul 3, 2016 at 9:12 am
Jul 3, 2016, 9:17 am
#17
Join Date: May 2015
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Doubtful, given the very short layover.
As you stated, you will enter the UK at T3 immigration, then collect the bags. Customs (assuming nothing to declare) is usually just walking through the marked door. You are now in T3 Arrivals.
Next, you would make your way to the Heathrow Central station (bags on rolling carts) and take the next Heathrow Connect shuttle train bound for T4. Trains leave every 15 minutes and the train journey takes 6 minutes. No charge, and no ticket is needed - just get on board.
When the train arrives at T4 lower level, you take the lift up to T4 Departures for KLM checkin.
The two time complications are how quickly the bags take to arrive on the belt at T3, and, more ominously, the time needed for Y checkin at KLM.
As you stated, you will enter the UK at T3 immigration, then collect the bags. Customs (assuming nothing to declare) is usually just walking through the marked door. You are now in T3 Arrivals.
Next, you would make your way to the Heathrow Central station (bags on rolling carts) and take the next Heathrow Connect shuttle train bound for T4. Trains leave every 15 minutes and the train journey takes 6 minutes. No charge, and no ticket is needed - just get on board.
When the train arrives at T4 lower level, you take the lift up to T4 Departures for KLM checkin.
The two time complications are how quickly the bags take to arrive on the belt at T3, and, more ominously, the time needed for Y checkin at KLM.
Jul 3, 2016, 9:37 am
#18
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I also have a question concerning a connection:
We are flying on August 23rd with CX from HKG to LHR, 3 pax, in J. (EU citizens)
Arriving T3, 18.10 pm.
From terminal 4 we have a separate connecting flight with KLM from LHR to AMS, 20.25pm. (separate ticket/booking, in Y)
Connection time is 2hr en 15 min.
This means we most probably have to go through customs in terminal 3, collect our baggage, then travel to terminal 4, and check in again.
Is this connection time realistic?
We are flying on August 23rd with CX from HKG to LHR, 3 pax, in J. (EU citizens)
Arriving T3, 18.10 pm.
From terminal 4 we have a separate connecting flight with KLM from LHR to AMS, 20.25pm. (separate ticket/booking, in Y)
Connection time is 2hr en 15 min.
This means we most probably have to go through customs in terminal 3, collect our baggage, then travel to terminal 4, and check in again.
Is this connection time realistic?
Jul 3, 2016, 9:45 am
#19
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
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Posts: 5,662
To be precise, you don't have a connection at all. You have two separate flights. If you do not get to your KLM flight in time, it, along with any other flights on that ticket are immediately cancelled. If your CX flight is on time you might make it, if it is late you probably won't. There is no way I would risk this at LHR. Either take a much later flight or spend the night in a hotel and go out the next morning.
It'd be especially dumb if BIndair booked a multi-city and then missed the first leg LHR-AMS which voids all segments in that booking.
Jul 3, 2016, 10:33 pm
#20
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Security is not going to be an issue, as they would only go through it after checkin at T4. If they meet the checkin cutoff they will have no problem getting on the flight.
Immigration at T3 may be an issue however.
Immigration at T3 may be an issue however.
Aug 24, 2016, 10:03 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Netherlands
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Doubtful, given the very short layover.
As you stated, you will enter the UK at T3 immigration, then collect the bags. Customs (assuming nothing to declare) is usually just walking through the marked door. You are now in T3 Arrivals.
Next, you would make your way to the Heathrow Central station (bags on rolling carts) and take the next Heathrow Connect shuttle train bound for T4. Trains leave every 15 minutes and the train journey takes 6 minutes. No charge, and no ticket is needed - just get on board.
When the train arrives at T4 lower level, you take the lift up to T4 Departures for KLM checkin.
The two time complications are how quickly the bags take to arrive on the belt at T3, and, more ominously, the time needed for Y checkin at KLM.
As you stated, you will enter the UK at T3 immigration, then collect the bags. Customs (assuming nothing to declare) is usually just walking through the marked door. You are now in T3 Arrivals.
Next, you would make your way to the Heathrow Central station (bags on rolling carts) and take the next Heathrow Connect shuttle train bound for T4. Trains leave every 15 minutes and the train journey takes 6 minutes. No charge, and no ticket is needed - just get on board.
When the train arrives at T4 lower level, you take the lift up to T4 Departures for KLM checkin.
The two time complications are how quickly the bags take to arrive on the belt at T3, and, more ominously, the time needed for Y checkin at KLM.
But then again, this was the very last time I booked two separate tickets with such a tight time schedule.
Sep 8, 2016, 2:03 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 74
Fast Track at LHR Question
Hello:
My wife and I will be traveling to BCN with a stop in LHR. We are flying business class on AA730 into LHR T3, and connecting to British Airways also located in T3.
Is it as simple as getting off the plane and finding the new gate for our BA flight to BCN, or do we go through a security? I've heard of purple signs that you head towards for connecting flights?
Just trying to get ready for our first international trip with a short layover.
Thanks
My wife and I will be traveling to BCN with a stop in LHR. We are flying business class on AA730 into LHR T3, and connecting to British Airways also located in T3.
Is it as simple as getting off the plane and finding the new gate for our BA flight to BCN, or do we go through a security? I've heard of purple signs that you head towards for connecting flights?
Just trying to get ready for our first international trip with a short layover.
Thanks
Sep 8, 2016, 2:13 pm
#24
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When you get off the plane, you will follow the purple signs for flight connections, which will take you to the security checkpoint. Because AA frequently uses the farthest gates at T3, be prepared that this could be quite a walk. You will then reclear security (security will be similar to the US in that your large electronics and your liquids bag need to be taken out of your carryon, but you do not have to take off your shoes, unlike in the US) and then be back in the main terminal.
