Originally Posted by
whitearrow
Greetings,
Next September, we just booked a UA flight from LAX to LHR. I need to book a separate flight to GVA (we're flying on miles and it just made more sense to pay cash for LHR to GVA).
Our flight from LAX is scheduled to arrive at 7:35 am to whatever terminal flights from LAX on UA arrive at.
What is the minimum connection time I should look for to GVA?
Do we have to go through customs/immigration at LHR if we are connecting on a separate ticket? If we have to change terminals, how do we do that? I've been to LHR several times but never connected there.
Are there airlines that are better in terms of ease of this whole thing? We do want a nonstop from LHR to GVA, but otherwise I'm not fussed for an hour and 45 minute flight. We are carrying on rollaboards plus underseat backpacks and strongly prefer not to check.
Thanks for your help!
You will arrive at LHR in Terminal 2, which is where all Star Alliance operate into and out of at LHR. Staying with Star Alliance would likely be easiest.
Some answers may need a bit more information, mostly what airline you will be using to get to GVA and if you will have checked bags.
If Swiss operates your LHR->GVA, then you will stay in Terminal 2. You should be able to check your bag all the way through to GVA with United, since they are Star Alliance.
And I think you can then avoid immigration and just connect flights at LHR. You will go through a security checkpoint though, which they will want to see a boarding pass for your connecting flight. I think you can get that with Swiss on your phone(s), but not 100% sure.
If you are on a non-Star Alliance carrier for the connecting flights, you cannot check through you bags and would need go the baggage claim, exit airside, transfer terminals, re-clear into airside, etc.
Would obviously need to allow more time.