Originally Posted by swingspan

Howdy all,

I'm a new OW flyer, having been a *G on *A for some time now. I'm just starting, and have signed up for an AA PLT challenge, which will be complete very soon.

Here are my questions. On my outbound flight (BOS-LHR-EBB), I have a 13 hour layover in LHR. Rather than get a day room, I'm planning to head into the city. My BOS-LHR flight is AA, and my LHR-EBB flight is BA.


You will be able to check your bags through even with seperate tickets. There is also a place to leave your luggage at LHR (T4 and maybe others).

1. Can I check into my BA flight at the airport 13 hours early? (i.e. 7 a.m. for an 8 p.m. departure) I'd want to leave my checked bags, obviously.

I don't think so.

2. Would I have to go to terminal 4, where my BA flight leaves, or can I check in for my BA flight in terminal 3 where my AA flight arrives?

Probably, but only at the transit counter inside security and passport control - so you don't want to do this. They may balk at letting you back into T3 with a BA ticket. Usually they just direct you back to the bus to go to the correct terminal.

3. What's the best shower option for arriving (terminal 3)? I gather if I pay for a one-day Admiral's Club, I'd be out of luck, since that's for departing (implied AA) only?

Exactly. You are not going to be able to get into the AC lounge in T3 if your connecting flight is on BA in another terminal. BA has a couple of arrival lounges outside security but I don't know if you can buy a day pass - probably though.

4. What's the best shower options for departing (terminal 4)?

It would be the BA lounge, but I don't know if they sell day passes.

5. Finally, on my return flight (EBB-LHR-BOS), I have a 1:50 layover. Is that enough time to (a) claim bags and (b) get from terminal 4 to terminal 3 and (c) check in for next flight?

You won't need to do this. They will check your bags through even with seperate tickets. I do this all the time.

Thanks OW folks. I'm looking forward to leaving *A behind.

SG