Time to clear customs at LHR?
Apr 24, 2017, 8:49 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,644
0620: Wheels down
0630: At gate
0635: Doors open
0645: Get off aircraft
0655: Arrive at Border Control queue
0720: Clear Border Control
0730: Get luggage
0745: Board Piccadilly line
0830: Arrive Covent Garden
0845: Get to Savoy
0915: Finish shower and leave Savoy
0940: Get to Canary Wharf
0630: At gate
0635: Doors open
0645: Get off aircraft
0655: Arrive at Border Control queue
0720: Clear Border Control
0730: Get luggage
0745: Board Piccadilly line
0830: Arrive Covent Garden
0845: Get to Savoy
0915: Finish shower and leave Savoy
0940: Get to Canary Wharf
Apr 24, 2017, 9:45 am
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Possibly. But have you seen the security lines at T3 in the mornings sometimes? For non-EU they sometimes go up the ramp. A few months ago a friend took over an hour for what I have given 25 minutes.
Apr 26, 2017, 1:02 am
#33
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
So yes...it can be done.
Nov 13, 2017, 8:38 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NOVA
Programs: IHG Rewards Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, UA/DL/AA Back of the plane...
Posts: 4,612
I know that "your experiences may differ" but I am arriving VS next Wednesday at 7:20AM with a US Passport. I am trying to arrange for a car and I need to specify a pick up time, I was thinking 9:00AM, does that time (1:40) seem reasonable for customs and immigration?
Nov 13, 2017, 1:10 pm
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 55,189
Tell the car service the flight information; they've done this before.
Nov 13, 2017, 1:17 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NOVA
Programs: IHG Rewards Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, UA/DL/AA Back of the plane...
Posts: 4,612
As was said above, customs is a walk-through unless you have something to declare so the unknown besides a flight delay is the immigration line. Assuming you don't have Fast Track, the line could take 10 minutes if you're one of the first to deplane and no big flight is in front of you or it could take 2 hours. I've experienced both arriving at that time.
Tell the car service the flight information; they've done this before.
Tell the car service the flight information; they've done this before.
Nov 14, 2017, 11:44 am
#37
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: YYZ (ex-LHR)
Programs: BA Silver, VS Red, OZ Silver
Posts: 446
Thanks, appreciate the feedback. The form for the service says they monitor the flight, so if the arrival time changes it is good, but not sure about the wait for immigration.... I think I will just ask for 1:40 and they allow an additional 40 no charge. I need to get cash anyhow...
I'd just give them the flight number and tell them you're a non-EU citizen, if it were me. The rest is on them.
Nov 14, 2017, 12:06 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NOVA
Programs: IHG Rewards Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, UA/DL/AA Back of the plane...
Posts: 4,612
It is a company that FT members recommend so I am pretty sure it will not be a problem.
Nov 16, 2017, 4:55 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
When I was in the UK recently the walk to passport control at T2 was longer than the wait to talk to an officer (which itself took longer than I thought it would, but that's a different story). I got to take advantage of Fast Track that trip though.
Judging by how few people picked up their bags by the time I found mine, I suspect the "normal" line was much longer of a wait.
Judging by how few people picked up their bags by the time I found mine, I suspect the "normal" line was much longer of a wait.