<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SNAGuy:
Hope someone can help me out with this.
I need to get from AMS to VCE in August and I went to the bmi web site and saw that I can't book on one ticket AMS to VCE that I have to book it as two seperate tickets via LHR.
I've got two basic questions to ask:
1) How much time should I leave between the two flights? I have multiple choices from AMS to LHR, but only one choice from LHR to VCE.
I would allow a minimum 1 hour 30 minutes for the connection, and would ideally allow 2 for a more relaxed experience. You will arrive and leave from the same terminal (Terminal 1) at LHR, and will not need to clear UK immigration or customs, but WILL need to go through security (and to do that you will be sent over to the Flight Connections Centre which is in a building adjoining Terminal 1).
The main reason I would allow the time is that air traffic delays are not unusual on shorter routes into LHR. These are not usually too bad but the times suggested above should ensure that you aren't going to miss the connection if you are held up.
2) Will I be able to check my luggage through to VCE when checking in at AMS?
Absolutely. You will even get your boarding pass and seat assignment at AMS if you tell them you have the onward connection.
Lastly, if you're based in the US it may be worth calling bmi's reservations line ( 1-800 788 0555) and seeing if they can ticket everything on one itinerary for you. If they can't do that, they should be able to make a note in the record of your AMS-LHR flight that you have an onward bmi flight to VCE).
In advance thanks for your help.
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