NiceLanding

Note that the T5 to T3 bus, starting at 5A, now makes a stop in 5B on the way to T3. Although I knew this already, on my last trip I wasn't paying attention and just followed the Flight Connection signs, which led me to the train from B to A to catch the bus from A, thereby wasting about 10 minutes. I'm not sure now what the correct path was from B arrivals directly to the transfer bus, but anyone making this connection should look for it.

carlosdca

I did not know about this.

Sounds strange to me since the need to transfer from T5B to T3 is not as common, is it?

T5B is used almost exclusively for BA widebodies, i.e. long haul, therefore I can see only a few scenarios with the need of T5B-T3 transfers that would not justify an extra stop of the shuttle at T5B?

corporate-wage-slave

I'd say about a third to half of the buses are now stopping at 5B to pick up passengers. One popular route seems to be USA to Warsaw, for example; the other is India to USA on AA. Also some transfers are onwards to Virgin's domestic services. But it's usually one passenger or two, compared to say a dozen starting at 5A.

NiceLanding

Yes, relatively few passengers getting on at B (although I wonder how many others made my mistake of going to A first). I heard the agent on the bus talking over the radio to B to get a passenger count, so maybe it only stops when needed.

14940674

What signage does one follow in B to get to the bus boarding area?

corporate-wage-slave

Flight Connections T1, T3, T4. On the lower level head towards the glass doors facing into C terminal (easier said than done I know!). But it is signposted, and the purple clad staff from the airport will indicate where to go.

clark_addison

I've been piecing some itinerary for an ultimate ORD-LHR-GLA-ORD trip.
I booked the LHR-GLA on BA as a bridge, hoping to come home from GLA.
There seems to be either no service or no availability on GLA-ORD late next month. I called AA and they confirmed nothing available because there's no BA availability.

There is availability LHR-ORD, but I would need to get through that transfer process, security and all.

What would be the minimal time between landing on BA and taking off on AA that would make this work at LHR?

guv1976

Call AA or BA and ask what the "minimum connecting time (MCT)" is at LHR from BA domestic to AA international.

Another possibility: check availability on AA's seasonal DUB-ORD flight. If you have (or can get) any BA Avios, you could see about redeeming for an EI flight from GLA to DUB.

Microwave

I've gone ahead and merged your question into the consolidated thread on this topic, which I was able to do by doing an advanced search, in thread titles only, for the term "{LHR}" without quotes. Good luck with your transfer!

~Moderator

UncleDude

Why is there no mention or guidance in respect of this facility on the Heathrow Airport Connections Info website?

corporate-wage-slave

My guess is that the overall guidance remains good and consistent: follow the purple signs for "Flight Connections T3". If you are in T5B this will get you the short cut. There are all sorts of details not on that website, I guess it can be made too complex, and if anyone really loves to do research then that is something for which Flyertalk is best suited.

corporate-wage-slave

The airside MCT is 75 or 90 minutes depending on flight numbers, 2 hours would be very comfortable. It can be done in 30 minutes physically: 5 minutes walk from T5 Domestic arrival to the Flight Connection bus, 5 minute bus wait, 10 minute bus journey, 10 minutes in T3 Flight Connection security. The last component can vary from 1 minute to 20 minutes.

Even if you have checked baggage and 2 PNRs you will be able to do this airside and check your baggage from GLA to ORD, so long as all sectors are oneworld.

clark_addison

Thanks for the info! I was worried about having to re-check bags and going through security again!

stifle

You do have to go through security again. If you had chosen BA from LHR-ORD, you would not have to (except perhaps at the gate if selected).

Exec_Plat

Flying AA136 LAX-LHR in a few days. it arrives 2:15PM at T3. Ive got an F ticket

Need advice on booking an onwards connection to Germany. I have two choices:

1. Book a 3:35 departure on BA out of T5

2. Book a 7:30PM on BA out of T5.

With option 1, I will land in LHR with I a boarding pass for the flight I want... if I make it I am on the flight. Period.

If I miss it, I get put on a later flight. (Will they charge me? Prolly not, but input would be helpful)




With option 2, if I get to the BA gate or CS desk I can ask to be accomodated on the earlier flight. BA have been <redacted> in the past, and I expecty that they would only do so if I had more than 1 hour... so I'd need to get from T3 to the T5 customer service desk and beg.

Now, it isnt MCT compliant.... lets not get bogged down in that.

Also, worse case I buy a Y ticket on the later flight...

Thoughts?

Thx