ARCHIVE: BA T5 <-> AA T3 transfer /connection at LHR / Heathrow
May 3, 2012, 1:22 pm
#526
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,210
I will fly JFK-LHR-FRA in a few days.
JFK-LHR is on AA100 and LHR-FRA is on AA6350(BA906).
I just found BA906/AA6350 cancelled on May 1st and 3rd.
I don't know the reason why, maybe because its load factor is just too low???
Flight status for BA906 was "scheduled" when AA100 left JFK yesterday.
So I may not know if BA906 is cancelled or not until I arrive at LHR.
Next BA flight to FRA is 2hr30min later. So I may want to change earlier flight on LH if my BA906 is also cancelled.
Where should I go in T3(or T5) to negotiate this?
Is there AA connecting counter in T3?
I did transfer in LHR several times before but I didn't find AA counter in T3 before....
It is BA's fault if BA906 is cancelled.
I should negotiate this with BA instead of AA?
If so, where should I go?
JFK-LHR is on AA100 and LHR-FRA is on AA6350(BA906).
I just found BA906/AA6350 cancelled on May 1st and 3rd.
I don't know the reason why, maybe because its load factor is just too low???
Flight status for BA906 was "scheduled" when AA100 left JFK yesterday.
So I may not know if BA906 is cancelled or not until I arrive at LHR.
Next BA flight to FRA is 2hr30min later. So I may want to change earlier flight on LH if my BA906 is also cancelled.
Where should I go in T3(or T5) to negotiate this?
Is there AA connecting counter in T3?
I did transfer in LHR several times before but I didn't find AA counter in T3 before....
It is BA's fault if BA906 is cancelled.
I should negotiate this with BA instead of AA?
If so, where should I go?
May 23, 2012, 9:14 am
#527
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LTP, Bonvoy Titanium; AA CK before I retired
Posts: 1,597
BA has begun assigning BA flight numbers to BMI flights. Example: "BA" flights from LHR to Basle, Nice and Vienna now operate from both T5 and T1, depending on whether it's a BMI flight or a legacy BA flight. Beware, this adds a new complexity when connecting at LHR.
May 24, 2012, 12:27 am
#528
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,210
As a general rule flights BA5xxx and BA 8xxx from LHR will be terminal 1.
May 28, 2012, 12:34 pm
#529
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
Connect to another international at LHR
I'll preface this post by saying that I'm not a frequent true international flyer...90% of my travel is pure domestic, with the other 10% normally being Canada.
In a few weeks I'm going to be connecting through LHR to Hamburg, Germany. All of my trips to LHR in the past have been either in London or to other UK destinations with long layovers, so at those times I cleared customs at LHR and used the AA arrivals lounge to shower before going airside at T5. For this trip, I assume I'll use the purple "connections" sign when I get off the plane. Does this clear UK customs? I assume not...Where does that lead me and will I still be able to use the BA lounge when I get to T5, or do I end up in some other kind of airside area?
In a few weeks I'm going to be connecting through LHR to Hamburg, Germany. All of my trips to LHR in the past have been either in London or to other UK destinations with long layovers, so at those times I cleared customs at LHR and used the AA arrivals lounge to shower before going airside at T5. For this trip, I assume I'll use the purple "connections" sign when I get off the plane. Does this clear UK customs? I assume not...Where does that lead me and will I still be able to use the BA lounge when I get to T5, or do I end up in some other kind of airside area?
May 28, 2012, 12:44 pm
#530
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Plano, Texas USA
Programs: AA EXP, 8 MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,893
I'll preface this post by saying that I'm not a frequent true international flyer...90% of my travel is pure domestic, with the other 10% normally being Canada.
In a few weeks I'm
es that lead me and will I still be able to use the BA lounge when I get to T5, or do I end up in some other kind of airside area?
In a few weeks I'm
es that lead me and will I still be able to use the BA lounge when I get to T5, or do I end up in some other kind of airside area?
Checked bags will magically appear in HAM. Well, maybe. If BA are handling them, one never knows.
Last edited by bbkenney; May 28, 2012 at 12:45 pm Reason: Added baggage part
May 28, 2012, 12:53 pm
#531
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AA EXP, AAirpass, & CK 2MM, MR Plat Premier, DL Plat, US Plat, UA RECOVERING GS
Posts: 2,620
If you have a long layover you can still clear customs, use the AA arrivals lounge, enjoy some (kind of) fresh air, and then take the HEX for free to T5. The trains run every 15 minutes and take about 4-5 minutes tops.
I avoid using Flight Connections whenever I can. You still have to clear security again, so I prefer to avoid the line for the shuttle bus, and the long winding ride, and instead bank on the added selection of lines landside at T5 and the relative comfort of the HEX for my inter-terminal journey.
Many will disagree but honestly if you added up the additional time required for the 20 to 30 times a year I do this I doubt it would be more than a few minutes in total. For those few minutes I avoid the hassle and confining weirdness of Flight Connections.
I avoid using Flight Connections whenever I can. You still have to clear security again, so I prefer to avoid the line for the shuttle bus, and the long winding ride, and instead bank on the added selection of lines landside at T5 and the relative comfort of the HEX for my inter-terminal journey.
Many will disagree but honestly if you added up the additional time required for the 20 to 30 times a year I do this I doubt it would be more than a few minutes in total. For those few minutes I avoid the hassle and confining weirdness of Flight Connections.
May 28, 2012, 12:55 pm
#532
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
Thanks for your help, and my fingers will be crossed on the bags! BA hasn't screwed it up yet for me.
May 28, 2012, 12:57 pm
#533
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
The airside transfer process is pretty simple, as follows
__________________________________________________ _________
On leaving the aircraft, follow the purple signs for Flight Connections.
__________________________________________________ _________
Take the connections bus to Terminal 5
__________________________________________________ _________
Ready to fly check
__________________________________________________ _________
Security screening
__________________________________________________ _________
Follow signs for BA Galleries South
__________________________________________________ _________
Your baggage will clear Immigration and Customs after you arrive in HAM.
If you have permission to enter the UK, you have the option of clearing immigration at T3 Arrivals, then use the AA Arrivals lounge. Once you're done, just take the Heathrow express over to T5. You will need to arrive at T5 security no later than 35 minutes before departure to ensure you're cleared as "Ready to fly"
__________________________________________________ _________
On leaving the aircraft, follow the purple signs for Flight Connections.__________________________________________________ _________
Take the connections bus to Terminal 5__________________________________________________ _________
Ready to fly check__________________________________________________ _________
Security screening__________________________________________________ _________
Follow signs for BA Galleries South__________________________________________________ _________
Your baggage will clear Immigration and Customs after you arrive in HAM.
If you have permission to enter the UK, you have the option of clearing immigration at T3 Arrivals, then use the AA Arrivals lounge. Once you're done, just take the Heathrow express over to T5. You will need to arrive at T5 security no later than 35 minutes before departure to ensure you're cleared as "Ready to fly"
May 28, 2012, 12:59 pm
#534
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
If you have a long layover you can still clear customs, use the AA arrivals lounge, enjoy some (kind of) fresh air, and then take the HEX for free to T5. The trains run every 15 minutes and take about 4-5 minutes tops.
I avoid using Flight Connections whenever I can. You still have to clear security again, so I prefer to avoid the line for the shuttle bus, and the long winding ride, and instead bank on the added selection of lines landside at T5 and the relative comfort of the HEX for my inter-terminal journey.
Many will disagree but honestly if you added up the additional time required for the 20 to 30 times a year I do this I doubt it would be more than a few minutes in total. For those few minutes I avoid the hassle and confining weirdness of Flight Connections.
I avoid using Flight Connections whenever I can. You still have to clear security again, so I prefer to avoid the line for the shuttle bus, and the long winding ride, and instead bank on the added selection of lines landside at T5 and the relative comfort of the HEX for my inter-terminal journey.
Many will disagree but honestly if you added up the additional time required for the 20 to 30 times a year I do this I doubt it would be more than a few minutes in total. For those few minutes I avoid the hassle and confining weirdness of Flight Connections.
May 28, 2012, 1:10 pm
#535
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AA EXP, AAirpass, & CK 2MM, MR Plat Premier, DL Plat, US Plat, UA RECOVERING GS
Posts: 2,620
The truth - that you are in transit and wish to use the landside lounge (or take the train in to the city for a few minutes, or play Super Car Racer in the arrivals lounge, or run a few laps, or whatever the truth is).
When changing time zones a lot (especially back-to-back as many of my trips dictate) I do much better with some sunshine and fresh air in the morning. I've never, ever, been questioned to the point of having to explain this. They hardly ever even look up.
I'm sure things might be different for someone with a rarer passport - e.g. not a US/EU/Canadian/etc passport.
When changing time zones a lot (especially back-to-back as many of my trips dictate) I do much better with some sunshine and fresh air in the morning. I've never, ever, been questioned to the point of having to explain this. They hardly ever even look up.
I'm sure things might be different for someone with a rarer passport - e.g. not a US/EU/Canadian/etc passport.
May 28, 2012, 3:04 pm
#536
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
If you have a long layover you can still clear customs, use the AA arrivals lounge, enjoy some (kind of) fresh air, and then take the HEX for free to T5. The trains run every 15 minutes and take about 4-5 minutes tops.
I avoid using Flight Connections whenever I can. You still have to clear security again, so I prefer to avoid the line for the shuttle bus, and the long winding ride, and instead bank on the added selection of lines landside at T5 and the relative comfort of the HEX for my inter-terminal journey.
Many will disagree but honestly if you added up the additional time required for the 20 to 30 times a year I do this I doubt it would be more than a few minutes in total. For those few minutes I avoid the hassle and confining weirdness of Flight Connections.
I avoid using Flight Connections whenever I can. You still have to clear security again, so I prefer to avoid the line for the shuttle bus, and the long winding ride, and instead bank on the added selection of lines landside at T5 and the relative comfort of the HEX for my inter-terminal journey.
Many will disagree but honestly if you added up the additional time required for the 20 to 30 times a year I do this I doubt it would be more than a few minutes in total. For those few minutes I avoid the hassle and confining weirdness of Flight Connections.
May 28, 2012, 3:37 pm
#537
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA former 1K (1.9MM and gone), Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,111
I recently did the T3 to T5 connection, but hadn't bothered to get the Fast Track thing that the FA offered because I didn't realize it would be needed for a connection. Then at T5, I was unable to talk my way past the Fast Track guard with just my EXP/Emerald card.
Does Emerald status really not work for FT at T5, or is it just that they failed to include it on the sign and some guards don't know what it is?
Also, would the FT card from AA have worked at T5, or does it only work at T3 arrivals?
Does Emerald status really not work for FT at T5, or is it just that they failed to include it on the sign and some guards don't know what it is?
Also, would the FT card from AA have worked at T5, or does it only work at T3 arrivals?
May 28, 2012, 3:50 pm
#538
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
I recently did the T3 to T5 connection, but hadn't bothered to get the Fast Track thing that the FA offered because I didn't realize it would be needed for a connection. Then at T5, I was unable to talk my way past the Fast Track guard with just my EXP/Emerald card.
Does Emerald status really not work for FT at T5, or is it just that they failed to include it on the sign and some guards don't know what it is?
Also, would the FT card from AA have worked at T5, or does it only work at T3 arrivals?
Does Emerald status really not work for FT at T5, or is it just that they failed to include it on the sign and some guards don't know what it is?
Also, would the FT card from AA have worked at T5, or does it only work at T3 arrivals?
The fast track queue at connections at T5 is only for 1st and business class passengers iirc
May 28, 2012, 4:04 pm
#539
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, UA former 1K (1.9MM and gone), Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,111
Does business class on AA work, or is it only for BA departures at T5 as the sign indicates? I'm actually not sure I tried showing my boarding pass.
May 28, 2012, 4:17 pm
#540
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
My understanding is that it is for those departing in 1st/business class. That you arrived in business class is irrelevent to your departing benefits. You could not be departing on AA from T5 ( other than on a codeshare flight , which I think would count if operated by BA )