stifle

Correct, although at T3 flight connections there is a scanner serving only a handful of lanes resulting in a higher ratio than usual of scans.

Microwave

You do mean central London, right?
... ... ...

KimT

I am flying through LHR soon with a 6 hour connection, arriving T3 on AA and departing T5 on BA. I will have my 2 kids with me.

Once arriving in T3, can I just use 'flight connections' to stay in T3 and later leave through 'flight connections' to go to T5? I'm thinking this is NOT possible but wanted to check.

I ask because I figured in T3 I could go to AA lounge (as AA Plat) and can buy a day pass for one kid if I need to. So I'd rather spend a few hours there instead of going directly over to T5 where we couldn't all 3 get into the BA lounge (from what I undestand, I couldn't buy a day pass for the 3rd guest there and I know they won't let both kids in as my guests).

So I just wondered if that was at all possible to stay in T3 for awhile before going to the connecting terminal?

Thanks in advance!
Kim

catmndu

Arrivals and departures are separated at LHR. You won't be able to get to the lounges in T3.

Sorry

stifle

They don't always check your itinerary or boarding pass at the flight connections centre in T3 if you want to stay at T3. But it's a humongous amount of bureaucracy.

Try posting over on the BA forum to see if someone might guest the second kid in.

brp

I was in the process of posting this, and this is true, but not enough. I've been checked going into T3 a small percentage of the time, so that part would be easy. However, they do check going into lounges (including the AC, I've heard, although I don't spend my time there ), so actually accessing the lounge may be more problematic even if one can slide back into T3.

Cheers.

aktchi

In London, how do I get from your downtown to your White House? You have those, don't you?

aktchi

I am doing exactly the opposite, arriving in T5 and leaving from T3. From what I understand it is not possible to stay in your arrival terminal, slip ups aside.

However, if you do manage to get to the AC in T3, I would not recommend accessing based on status and buying a 1-day pass for one child. Instead, buy a 30-day membership ($99) for yourself. This allows you two guests. Access should not be an issue as you would be a paid member and only need to get to an AC; it is no longer a question of what status you have or which airline you are flying. Plus, you will have access to AC's for the next 30 days if you are near one.

So it all depends on your getting to the T3 AC, If you can't, go to T5, plead your case with the lounge dragons, and gracefully accept their verdict.

anabolism

Why would the ratio be higher? Assuming the scanners are only used at random or if the regular WTMD beeps, then the random generator should be the same regardless of how many lanes are being served (e.g., if every x passenger, then it shouldn't matter if it is x passengers per lane or x passengers per all lanes, either way it should be the same ratio).

At any rate, the scanners at Heathrow are millimetre-wave, not backscatter, so at least there is no known evidence of harm.

stifle

The ratio is higher than other locations or terminals because there are fewer passengers but the same number of scans, as compared to the main checkpoint, assuming the scanner is in constant use (which the direction from the Department for Transport says it should be).

Arsey00

I agree completely with the 30-day pass plan. I'm also PLT and travel with my kids. I've spent ages trying to work out best plans, and have finally given in and put one of my kids on a platinum challenge, but until she's completed it, we'll use a 30-day.

Some US ACs are likely to just wave you in, but your odds are not so good in T3 ( although you might get lucky). Where are you flying from/to? If the origin and destination (presuming destination is origin on return?) airports have clubs, the pass might be worth it and getting in at T3 could be a bonus. I am rarely asked for a BP at T3, and it was possible to get back to departures as of last summer. I couldn't tell you how, someone escorted me, but I did it.

Depending on the ages if your kids, you could consider leaving the bags in Left Luggage and heading into town on the Underground and having lunch. But only if they're beyond stroller/running in a million directions age. Leave yourself the full 2 hours (more if the connecting flight is also long-haul) to collect your luggage and check back in if you do this.

Do post on the BAEC lounge thread as well, I haven't had luck getting my one remaining kid guested in, but I hear it does happen. I'd do it if i were flying same day .

If all else fails, T5 is relatively pleasant with kids. It's big and spread out, plenty of child-friendly places to eat (Giraffe is pretty friendly and the kids get a cocktail stirrer shaped like a giraffe to play with). Good luck.

Arsey00

Shoot, I've just realised I quoted the second poster on that topic rather than KimT who is going T3->T5. Sorry!

vinyl slider

Hello! We're arriving AA T3 MIA>>LHR in U (Bus) class at 8:10 am, and departing BA T5 LHR>>EDI in X (Econ) class at 12:30 pm this coming June. Based on what I have read elsewhere on FT and AA/BA, it appears we will have access to the AA T3 Arrivals Lounge and BA T5 Galleries Club lounges. I thought with four hours the best plan would be to clear passport/customs, use AA Arrivals T3 (shower and breakfast), then HEX over to T5 and use a BA Galleries Club Lounge before departure. After reading this thread, it seems like we might be on the time threshold where it would be about the same just to use Flight Connections from T3 to T5, and only use a T5 BA Galleries Club lounge. Thoughts? Many thanks!

GadgetFreak

Assuming your flight is on time, it just depends on whether you would rather stroll around a bit on your own or get to the T5 lounge and hang out. I would probably go right to the BA club but I think it really depends on your mood.

Well, actually, depending on your overall schedule I would probably go to the AA Arrivals lounge, then to the HEX to Paddington, cab to Kings Cross and then the lovely train ride to EDI, but that wasnt one of the choices.

EXPLAT

I'm AA Platinum, have a Priority Pass and an Amex Centurion card. Traveling Coach DFW-LHR. Family of four, myself, wife and two kids.

How many of us will be able to get into the BA lounge?