Originally Posted by Taltem

Having gained so much valuable information lurking on this forum over the last few years, I'm finally taking the plunge and posting, albeit to ask for yet more advice.

I have an ex EU, AMS - JNB return in First booked in April this year and have made what I believe to be a fundamental error with the positioning flight. I am currently booked on BA434, departing LHR at 11.45, arriving AMS - 14.05. My flight back to LHR as the start of the "ex EU" itinerary departs AMS at 16.15, so currently my positioning flight is not back to back. I can see no reason why I can't go 'HBO' on that flight as I hope to either check my luggage for the LHR - JNB leg early in the morning before my flight to AMS, or if I really can't persuade them to do this, then will leave luggage at the Left Luggage Facility. The positioning flight is actually in CE as I had initially thought that I would check luggage but having learned that I should be able to deal with the luggage by either of the two methods mentioned above, I now see no need to go landside in AMS. Even if I wanted to check luggage, I think my positioning flight would be incorrect as it probably doesn't leave enough time to safely collect luggage and re-check.

So, should I change the positioning flight to a back to back as per all of the wonderfully informative threads on this topic? I understand the principle that if the LHR - AMS flight is delayed, so too would my AMS - LHR be delayed, but I can't help but worry about the short connection as it feels so counter-intuitive! Please could you experts put my mind at rest and confirm that there is no possibility, in the event that the positioning flight is delayed, that BA could somehow magic a separate aircraft from somewhere and still manage to send the AMS - LHR flight back on time? This probably sounds a ridiculous question to you, so I apologise, but put it down to a degree of nervousness about doing this for the first time! My other option would obviously be to move the positioning flight to an earlier one. I can make either of these changes for the change fee of £35.

Lastly, please could someone confirm that the correct 'back to back' flight would definitely be BA BA438 (departs LHR 12:55, arrives AMS 15.15) to come back on BA439 (departs AMS 16.15, arrives LHR 16.35). Whilst not relevant to my query, I have plenty of time back at LHR before my JNB leg as that doesn't depart until 21.25.

Thank you in advance for any advice/reassurance that can be offered.