ARCHIVE: BA T5 <-> AA T3 transfer /connection at LHR / Heathrow
Apr 19, 2013, 3:40 pm
#721
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
I've not connected to T4 in over 10 years, but when I used to do T1 from a UA flight there was no such check at the T1 connection area either; may change now that we have the new T2 terminal. It's technically redundant, I suppose, as they always check that the gate anyway, and there are ways you can exit the departure lounge, even if they are a bit complicated. T1 and T3 were built years ago and there is no room for a BP check facility, so they just don't do it.
Apr 20, 2013, 1:20 am
#722
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: 14,216
I am sitting in T1 now and can confirm there is no permanent passport or boarding pass check for transfer passengers entering the terminal. The transfer desks are immediately after it anyhow.
UK Border Agency does set up random checks from time to time when the urge strikes them.
UK Border Agency does set up random checks from time to time when the urge strikes them.
Apr 20, 2013, 2:27 pm
#723
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: American Air
Posts: 9
<redacted>
Your bags will be tagged at RDU to CDG, and interlined to British Airways at LHR. In regards to a connection, your AA flight will arrive in Terminal 3, all British Airways flights to CDG depart from Terminal 5. Upon deplaning follow purple signs (and the crowd) to flight connections, proceed to the bus (coach as the British say) for a 5-10 minute ride to T5. Upon arrival you'll have a passport and security check then be situated on the departures level of terminal 5. Overall it's a more painful and less seamless process at LHR than other European aiports like FRA, MUC, or ZRH IME.
Hope this is helpful.
Your bags will be tagged at RDU to CDG, and interlined to British Airways at LHR. In regards to a connection, your AA flight will arrive in Terminal 3, all British Airways flights to CDG depart from Terminal 5. Upon deplaning follow purple signs (and the crowd) to flight connections, proceed to the bus (coach as the British say) for a 5-10 minute ride to T5. Upon arrival you'll have a passport and security check then be situated on the departures level of terminal 5. Overall it's a more painful and less seamless process at LHR than other European aiports like FRA, MUC, or ZRH IME.
Hope this is helpful.
Will I get the connecting BP for BA to CDG when I get on AA174 at RDU? Or do I pick it up somewhere along the way in leaving T3 and entering T5? Same question in reverse: when I arrive at LHR from CDG on BA, when do I/did I get the BP for the connecting AA173 back to RDU?
Many thanks.
Apr 20, 2013, 3:00 pm
#724
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: 14,216
In each case you should get both boarding passes at the check-in desk for your first flight. In the event you only get your first boarding pass, outbound you will visit the BA desk after you enter T5 but before security, and coming back you can get it from the AA transfer desk in T3 after security, or the AAdmirals Club if you have access.
Apr 22, 2013, 5:00 pm
#725
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: New Orleans, AA EXP, DL PM, SPG PLT, HH Diamond
Posts: 3,750
I would definitely change to the earlier flight. We have reserved assistance at Heathrow many times, and quite often, it is still not there upon arrival. Waiting for assistance there seems to be the norm.
I just found out that there is a schedule change on flight 78 to LHR. The schedule change only gives us 90 minutes for a connection from T3 to T5. I've done this before and normally this wouldn't be a problem. We just found out that my wife and I are expecting our first child and she will be 5 months pregnant when we are taking this flight so running is not going to happen. She also wants 2 seats alone and the only ones left are on row 40 of a 77W which means we won't be the first ones off the plane either. With this in mind, are there any special condition assistance for short connections or can I call AA and request to be changed to the earlier BA flight that lands at T5 even though we are still in a valid connection time?
May 23, 2013, 2:44 pm
#726
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM
Posts: 16
LHR Connection Time
I'm coming home from NAP on a 3 segment OW itinerary (AB Naples-MUC; BA MUC-LHR; AA LHR-JFK) in July. My connection time in LHR (T5--T3) is 95 minutes. I am AA PLT. How stressful is that connection and will my baggage be checked through to Kennedy from NAP. Do we stay airside/transfer desk/customs/etc...? Just trying to get a plan in my head to make it as smooth as possible. Thanks!
May 23, 2013, 2:52 pm
#727
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
Check out this link for the instructions on the transfer process. You can even print it out to have on you while you travel:
http://www.heathrowairport.com/heath...ween-terminals
As far as the tightness, 95 is on the tighter side of things but isn't too bad. The transfer process is pretty seamless.
You should get priority luggage tags as OW Saph on AB and then on BA (might have to ask them for the tag tho). Their effectiveness? Unknown.
http://www.heathrowairport.com/heath...ween-terminals
As far as the tightness, 95 is on the tighter side of things but isn't too bad. The transfer process is pretty seamless.
You should get priority luggage tags as OW Saph on AB and then on BA (might have to ask them for the tag tho). Their effectiveness? Unknown.
May 23, 2013, 3:03 pm
#728
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Exploralist, Marriot Silver
Posts: 2,065
90 would stress me out because there is little room for unexpected delays. <redacted>
Last edited by Microwave; May 24, 2013 at 5:32 am Reason: Removed circular link post merge
May 23, 2013, 3:18 pm
#729
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM
Posts: 16
Thanks for the input! Quick question: will my baggage be checked through to JFK? (I'm on one itinerary)
May 23, 2013, 3:28 pm
#730
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
Yes it will be, since its one ticket and all airlines are OW. Shouldn't be any problem. You won't have to deal with the checked baggage at LHR.
This thread has some specific info on CBP at JFK: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ation-jfk.html
This thread has some specific info on CBP at JFK: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ation-jfk.html
May 23, 2013, 3:49 pm
#731
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: DFW
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, AA PLT, DL Silver
Posts: 427
You should be good especially since your baggage will be directed without your input. 95 minutes is fine...unless you begin circling LHR for an excessive period. Then it could make it a little more fun. I've done MUC-LHR three times on BA - only once did we circle a long time (50 minutes). Still made my connection but it was close.
May 23, 2013, 4:25 pm
#732
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA ExPlat
Posts: 28
I agree that you will be fine. Granted I go T3 to T5 and not the other way, but should be relatively the same.
I have also checked bags all the way through on different airlines and not had problems.
Of course delays can occur, but if on-time you will be good.
I have also checked bags all the way through on different airlines and not had problems.
Of course delays can occur, but if on-time you will be good.
May 23, 2013, 4:45 pm
#733
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: 14,216
Your bags should be checked all the way through to JFK and you should get all your boarding passes at NAP. You will go through security at NAP, passport control for leaving Schengen at MUC, then on landing at LHR T5 take the airside bus to T3, reclear security and then perhaps a brief stop at the AAdmirals Club before hustling to your gate. 95 minutes should not be a problem connection and assuming it's all the one ticket you will be rebooked if you misconnect.
If you don't get your LHR-JFK boarding pass before LHR then you can get it at the lounge there. Make sure you have a printout of your itinerary as the LHR staff occasionally ask to see it.
Note also that MMW body scanners are in operation at the T3 transit checkpoint and unlike the US there is no facility to opt out.
If you don't get your LHR-JFK boarding pass before LHR then you can get it at the lounge there. Make sure you have a printout of your itinerary as the LHR staff occasionally ask to see it.
Note also that MMW body scanners are in operation at the T3 transit checkpoint and unlike the US there is no facility to opt out.
May 23, 2013, 4:57 pm
#734
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: Recovering AA flyer, LT PLT 2.6 MM
Posts: 1,543
After many transits through that checkpoint, I have yet to be scanned. Make sure everything is out of your pockets and placed in your bags. If you don't raise WTMD alarms, your chances of being scanned are small, though non-zero. In T5, there are no scanners on the Fastrack lanes.
May 24, 2013, 5:34 am
#735
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
I'm coming home from NAP on a 3 segment OW itinerary (AB Naples-MUC; BA MUC-LHR; AA LHR-JFK) in July. My connection time in LHR (T5--T3) is 95 minutes. I am AA PLT. How stressful is that connection and will my baggage be checked through to Kennedy from NAP. Do we stay airside/transfer desk/customs/etc...?
~Moderator