AAaLot

Feedback...you do not need a boarding pass to traverse the airport, but you do need a copy of the itn. Security will stamp the itn with a big 'Security / date' stamp.

i.e. Therefore you can proceed directly to the Admirals club.

jdsprod

Came through T5 from Stuttgart connecting to T3 and AA to LAX. Very smooth, whole process took about 35 minutes from T5 jetbridge to the T3 FS Lounge.

JJeffrey

Actually you don't even need a copy of the itenerary to get through the flight connections security.

I passed through LHR in May and completely forgot to have a printout, I was connecting SAS to AA on 2 seperate tickets. At the BP check before security I just told the guy I was connecting onto AA 173 to RDU, he gave me a letter w/ the security stamp which said something to the effect of "this pax has claimed to be on an onward flight etc. etc."

sxpsxpsxp

I did this a few weeks ago. Arrived on BA from HKG and was connecting to AA. Since I had about 4 hours to spare, I actually went through arrivals and went to the BA arrivals lounge in T5 (why it's landside is beyond me) for a shower, massage and breakfast. Then I took the Heathrow Express to T3. I had no trouble, long lines or long delays anywhere.

TrojanHorse

Is it any longer one way or another? rephrased, is it longer from AA T3 > BA T5 or is it longer from BA T5 > AA T3

Dave Noble

because it is for passengers arriving at LHR and there isn't anywhere else logically to put it; for departing passengers, BA has lounges airside

Dave

JDiver

Our recent experience with a 2.5 hour connection T3 - T5 was eminently easier than previous LHR terminal changes - using Flight Connections Centre seemed speedier, the bus has increased its frequency and it took perhaps 35 minutes from arrival in T3 from ORD to arriving in the Galleries First lounge in the appropriate wing for our departure to OTP (though flight departure gates are not posted until fairly close to departure, staff can tell you the usual departure wing.)

But... security is more TSA-like (shoes off in all cases, etc. though this seems to vary on some days,) and our USA cabin-OK rollaboards were counter checked because they did not exactly fit the confines of the carry-on baggage template. The bags did arrive at OTP on our flight, but were not marked Priority (we were in Business and are both oneworld Emerald) or the like, and one of the two bags was amongst the last few delivered to the baggage carousel.

T5 is obviously designed as airport terminal cum upscale shopping centre - but the prices, though they may even be duty free, are certainly far from profit free. I certainly spotted no bargains here.

Our experiences T5 to T3 Wednesday July 2 were quite similar - it did not take long, thoguh US departure shoe carnival etc. does take a little time, and we were soon in the Flagship Lounge. When we emerged for the walk to the distant gate, a chap drove us there n an electric cart, and told us this would not longer be possible in the near future due to the dividers being installed to separate arriving and departing passengers.

(With a side chuckle to Dave Noble on the Arrivals Lounge info! )

CloudCoder

I shall transit LHR T3 to T5 later this week and will report back. I plan to transfer landside. I think landside transfer might be faster (depending of course upon the queues at immigration, and if you just miss the train which runs every 15 minutes).
I originated at LHR T5 a couple of weeks ago and shoes did not have to come off. Perhaps the origination drill differs from the connection drill.

HeadInTheClouds

Plus of course, many [if not most] arriving passengers want access to their checked luggage to shower, change, etc.

sinanju

My boss and I actually did a race. He went airside, I used IRIS. Our one data point suggests it's a wash.

aamilesslave

Amateurs!
Seriously, though, even if checking luggage, I always carry a change of clothes and some essential toiletries in case my checked bags don't make it.
BA...cough...LHR...cough...

jpzeller

I couldn't agree more.

bdemaria

Sometimes they do require shoes off at T5 connections. Unlike the states where it is mandatory, LHR has a 'random' policy for shoes, some days yes, some days no.

brp

When we were last through T3 (end of May) they had a separate shoe x-ray machine after the regular x-ray. No shoes off at the main checkpoint, and then ALL shoes off onto the conveyor belt at the second machine. Not sure if this was made permanent (looked pretty permanent), or is at other terminals, though.

Cheers.

bdemaria

The second machine is still there, past the regular Xray - but not everyone has to go thru it. However if you are assigned that line then the shoes definitely have to come off. Some days everyone has to go thru, other days only a few people, and about 6 weeks ago - it was closed completely.