LHR Arrivals With US Passport - Morning vs Evening Arrival
May 10, 2022, 2:06 am
#1
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LHR Arrivals With US Passport - Morning vs Evening Arrival
Based on recent experiences, what is the typical wait time to clear customs at Heathrow with a US passport? Is there a big difference between morning (~ 7 AM) and Evening (~ 9 PM) arrivals?
May 10, 2022, 6:02 am
#2
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Customs is not the issue because you just walk through the channel and if the officers want to talk to you then they’ll be talking to you.
immigration on the other hand can take time because it depends on what other flights have arrived at the same time and where they are from.
US passport holders can use the egates which speeds up the process considerably (absent travelling with a child or on some visas where you do need to see an officer)
Make your flight choices based on flight schedules, price and how it fits in with your other arrangements rather than clearing immigration.
immigration on the other hand can take time because it depends on what other flights have arrived at the same time and where they are from.
US passport holders can use the egates which speeds up the process considerably (absent travelling with a child or on some visas where you do need to see an officer)
Make your flight choices based on flight schedules, price and how it fits in with your other arrangements rather than clearing immigration.
May 12, 2022, 6:43 am
#3
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I have arrived at T2 in the a few times between 7 and 9:30 in the last few weeks
Some days there was no q, i walked straight to an egate
Some days i was in a snaking Q around arrivals area for 40 minutes to get to an egate
It really will depend what is arriving ahead of you
Some days there was no q, i walked straight to an egate
Some days i was in a snaking Q around arrivals area for 40 minutes to get to an egate
It really will depend what is arriving ahead of you
May 15, 2022, 12:42 pm
#5
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20 minutes T2 last Sunday around noon. It was busy but the line moved smoothly. The E-gates are a great improvement. Before their introduction an hour wait wasn't unusual.
May 16, 2022, 10:05 am
#6
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Arriving in London in a few weeks on United in Terminal 2. Flying in Business Class (Polaris). Do they still have priority for Business Class passengers? United used to give you a pass on the plane to show the gatekeeper. Do they (or other airlines) still do that? Or can you just show your boarding pass to gain access?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
May 17, 2022, 4:41 am
#7
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Arriving in London in a few weeks on United in Terminal 2. Flying in Business Class (Polaris). Do they still have priority for Business Class passengers? United used to give you a pass on the plane to show the gatekeeper. Do they (or other airlines) still do that? Or can you just show your boarding pass to gain access?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
On the plus side, line was pretty short and I finally got the E-reader to work, so about a 5 minute process (very early morning)
Oh, and United still hasn't re-opened their arrival lounge.
On the outbound, the Star Alliance Gold lane was available for security screening. Again, about a 5 minute process.
May 17, 2022, 5:44 am
#8
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The priority passport line is a paid for by the airlines and is predicated on UK Border Force having sufficient officers to staff it
It's quite possible UK Border Force dosen't have the spare officers to operate it all the time (o indeed any of the time at the moment) or that airlines are reluctant to pay for it at the current times.
It's quite possible UK Border Force dosen't have the spare officers to operate it all the time (o indeed any of the time at the moment) or that airlines are reluctant to pay for it at the current times.
May 17, 2022, 9:48 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 446
Arriving in London in a few weeks on United in Terminal 2. Flying in Business Class (Polaris). Do they still have priority for Business Class passengers? United used to give you a pass on the plane to show the gatekeeper. Do they (or other airlines) still do that? Or can you just show your boarding pass to gain access?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.