QueenOfCoach

Exactly right. You've got it.

Look at it this way. In JFK, most passengers are destined for somewhere in the USA. Thus, it's more efficient to move everyone though US BCP, then let them get their connecting flights to wherever. The international transit passenger is the exception, rather than the rule.

In LHR, a huge portion of passengers are destined for locations outside the UK. Thus, it's more efficient to push the UK-bound folks through the UK Border formalities and let the others just find their way to their departure gates and leave.

I read a book called "Invisibles: The power of anonymous work in an age of relentless self-promotion" by David Zweig. There is an entire chapter devoted to the subject of Wayfinding, and London Heathrow is cited as a good example of Wayfinding. I recommend this book and this chapter in particular to anyone interested in the design of modern airports. The modern airport is, essentially, a machine with human beings as moving parts. Wayfinding assists those moving parts to move efficiently and not gum up the works.

QueenOfCoach

Yes, but all departing passengers have already passed through Passport Control and would have to go through Immigration should they change their mind and decide to leave the airport without taking a flight. Everyone in the departure lounge, whether they are newly arrived or soon to depart, is officially "not landed" in the country.

Because in the USA there is no Passport Control for departures, unlike almost every other country I've ever visited. Everyone in the departure area, shops, restaurants, etc., are officially "landed" in the USA. A person could change his mind and just walk out of the airport without being impeded. (His baggage would be offloaded, though.)

The international arrival passengers are offically "not landed" in the USA and are kept segregated until they pass through BCP and become officially "landed".

As I said before, airports are good at segregating people according to immigration and security status.

QueenOfCoach

Not quite true. Departing international passengers can access duty free shops in USA airports. Their purchases are delivered to the airport door as they leave the USA. All other passengers, arriving and departing domestic passengers, do not have access to the duty free shops. If they manage to sneak in somehow (and it isn't difficult), they are unable to make a purchase without the departing international boarding pass.

In other countries where everyone in the departure lounge is officially "non-landed", everyone can buy from the duty free shops and carry their purchase with them. The guy who suddenly decides to leave the airport without taking his flight would have to go through Immigration/Customs and pay duty on the duty free purchases.

PlanePorn21

Is an 1 hour and 20 minute layover enough time to transfer in Heathrow? I am looking at a flight from Amsterdam to Heathrow and then catch a flight out of Terminal 3 to head back to the US. It looks like the flight historically comes into Terminal 5. Is that too short or do I really need 2 hours?

tkelvin69

I think even 2 hours can be concerning. Between the bus, clearing security, and the potential of late arrival I would want at least 2 hours.

dmsdfw

Not good. You could easily have:
Deplane and walk to connections bus - 10 minutes
Wait for bus - 10 minutes
Bus ride - 10 minutes
Clear security - 15 minutes
Walk to gate - 10 minutes
That would already put you at the gate half way through boarding.

LucWise

Heathrow is a nightmare. I have barely made flights with a two-hour connection.

Dave Noble

The MCT for BA-AA T5-T3 seems to be 90 minutes , so you would not be able to book Netherlands to USA via Heathrow with such a connection

If you are looking at purchasing separate tickets , I would not rely on either airline assisting if there are any issues. If you have luggage, BA will not ( iirc ) provide through check in of luggage on separate tickets where MCT is not met

JDiver

1:20 with interterminal connections is dicey, in my experience. 2:30 is better.

Exec_Plat

I've made tighter connections.... And have made quite a few between 1-1:30....BUT

Those were US to LHR then onwards to EU. If I missed the flight I could get a later one. Cost wasnt a big issue.

You need to plan for worst case. What will you do if you miss the second fight to the US? Very high staus, paid/changeable ticket? Dont mind the delay? OK to cough up $xxxx to fix it?
Im not sure I would do that if I was personally paying for the risk.

bchandler02

I would not recommend this either. My last connection from a flight from T5 to T3 took over 1.5 hours, thanks to LHR's wonderful "security" theater.

PurpleCircle

I've made a BA-AA connection from T5 to T3 in less than 90 minutes, but I wouldn't trust my bag would (or guarantee you would). As Dave Nobel states, the MCT for BA-AA, T5-T3 is explicitly called out as 90 minutes:

BA-** II 1.30 TRM 5 - 3

JY1024

Merged with existing thread discussion LHR T3 <-> T5 connections. /Moderator

c_d

It's inconsistent. I had no question for it at all, being forced to go to the reissue desk, accepting a passbook BP, not accepting a passbook bp ... depends on the agent and their mood I guess. Some are printing a new BP right there, others make you go to yet another desk. Same at T5 ...

T3 connections desk is easy, the security, fast track or not, just before it is the problem. Last Thursday, they flagged about 75% of all bags for secondary screening in the fast track lane. Took in excess of 40 minutes to just get through there.

tfc3rid

Now, I'm scared... I have 3 hours (as long as all goes well) from arrival on Virgin Atlantic at T3 to my onward EU flight at T5 on BA... On 2 separate tickets so have to go through immigration and pick up, then travel to T5, drop off luggage and pass through security for my onward flight to CPH...

Praying all goes well...