Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > American Airlines | AAdvantage
Reload this Page >

GUIDE: LHR / London Heathrow, Connection, MCT inc. AA T3 <--> BA/IB T5

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Feb 5, 2015, 10:54 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: stifle
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.

Link to LHR page on aa.com

Link to London-Heathrow web pages

Link to Wikipedia page on LHR

Link to FT - AA thread London Heathrow (LHR) <-> Gatwick (LGW) Transport / Transfer (master thread)

The vast majority of arriving passengers with a passport from the European Union, Switzerland or, effective 20 May 2019, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or USA can now use arrival immigration eGates without any fee or pre-registration requirement. But for those transiting LHR with a non-UK/non-Ireland destination and no luggage to claim during transit at LHR, the eGates are generally irrelevant since most such passengers don’t enter the UK-Ireland Common Travel Area.

NOTE: Connecting flights between Terminal 5 and Terminal 3 - please allow a minimum 1 hour 30 minutes between flights.

If you are unsure which terminal your connecting flight departs from, see "Which terminal does my flight depart from / arrive?"

For gate to gate connection assistance in T-3, AA Five Star Service can be used (fee, must be in AA Business or First on incoming or outbound flight). For interterminal assistance, see https://www.heathrow.com/airport-gui...cierge-service for Heathrow Meet and Assist.

LHR is composed of four terminals (Terminal 1 is now permanently closed). American Airlines and many oneworld airlines (e.g. AY, BA, CX, IB, JL, QF, RJ, UL) use Terminal 3. MH and QR use terminal 4. BA uses Terminals 3 and 5. These terminals are not connected - you can not walk from one to the other. Use this tool to see where your next flight departs / arrives.

Transferring/ Connections at LHR interterminal can be done three ways:

Link to interactive custom Heathrow Flight Connections Guide

1) Landside: exit your terminal and process HM immigration and customs as if you were arriving in the UK, then take the free train or busses connecting to other terminals. With most hotels, if you are staying overnight you will most likely utilise the "Heathrow Hoppa" busses costing £6 for one person or £11 for a family one way, £11 for one person and £21 for a family return; family is up to 2 adults and 3 children. A small discount is available for buying your ticket at a ticket machine in select hotels or via the HH website. You must proceed landside if planning to use the AA (or BA) Arrivals Lounge, which close at 1400 hrs / 2 PM as these are landside. (See post no. 627, here, for local land & hotel transport options.)

Inter-terminal landside connections can be via rail (free) or walking, depending on the terminals. See the diagram for Heathrow Express terminal connections, free when you are traveling within the airport's confines. See here You can also travel between the terminals, or Hatton Cross station, free of charge via the Piccadilly line, but you must touch a contactless payment card/Apple/Google Pay or Oyster card on the faregates at the start and end of your journey. When changing terminals via Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line you can either do the same or get a free paper ticket.


2) Airside:

Follow the signage to Flight Connections, where you will proceed a bus waiting area at airport ground level and take a bus to your next terminal, where you will proceed through boarding pass, carryon check a standard airport security check. Now you are ready to catch your next flight. Flight connections Minimum Connect Times are ordinarily 75 - 90 minutes (the latter for connections between T3 and T5).

NOTE: You must be at your connecting gate 20 minutes prior to departure. If you must recover bags and re-check (e.g. oneworld to non-oneworld or LCC) you must check your baggage in at least 45 minutes prior to departure.

Use this tool available from this page on LHR's website that include a step by step guide through Flight Connections. The page also offers videos. Use this tool to see where your next flight departs / arrives.[/quote]


Typical Terminal 3 to Terminal 5 Flight Connections path:

T3–>T5 see posts 674, 675.1. Welcome to Heathrow!: On leaving the aircraft, please follow the purple signs for Flight Connections.

2. Flight Connections bus: A dedicated bus will transfer you between terminals. Buses are free and depart every six to ten minutes.

3. Airline desks: Need to visit your airline's ticket desk? You'll find it here.

4. Ready to fly: Staff will check that you're in the right place, your hand baggage meets airline regulations, and you have time to catch your onward flight.

5. Hand baggage check: At this point your hand baggage will be checked to ensure it conforms to UK and EU regulations. Please be aware that liquids in containers over 100ml are not allowed through security.

6. Security screening: You will pass through security screening at this point. If you are a non-UK resident and have goods to declare to HM Customs, please use the Customs telephone before security control.

7. Departure lounge: Check the screens in the departure lounge, which will be updated when your gate opens and again when your flight is ready for boarding.

NOTE: Flight departure gates are listed in only sufficient time to get to the gate, not hours (or often an hour) prior to departure.


Typical Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 Flight Connections path:1. Welcome to Heathrow!: On leaving the aircraft, please follow the purple signs for Flight Connections.

2. Flight Connections bus: A dedicated bus will transfer you between terminals. Buses are free and depart every six to ten minutes.

NOTE: As there is a new AA desk at the bus boarding point, you can get your AA boarding pass and pass the AA oral security questioning while you await the bus.

3. Hand baggage check: At this point your hand baggage will be checked to ensure it conforms to UK and EU regulations. Please be aware that liquids in containers over 100ml are not allowed through security.

4. Security screening: You will pass through security screening at this point. If you are a non-UK resident and have goods to declare to HM Customs, please use the Customs telephone before security control.

5. Airline desks: Need to visit your airline's ticket desk? You'll find it here. But see 2A if flying AA.

6. Departure lounge: Check the screens in the departure lounge, which will be updated when your gate opens and again when your flight is ready for boarding.

Lounges:
Airside lounges at LHR are designated departure lounges. You use the lounge in the terminal you're departing from – arriving and departing passengers are separated, so it's not possible (for example) to use a terminal 5 lounge if you are arriving in terminal 5 and departing from terminal 3.

Terminal 3 lounges include:

Airside, departure lounges:
American Airlines Flagship / First Class Lounge - Lounge Zone H
American Airlines Admirals Club - Lounge Zone H
British Airways Galleries First and Club lounges - Lounge Zone F
Cathay Pacific First and Business lounges near Gate 11
Qantas Airways London Lounge - Lounge B / Gate

Landside, for arriving AA and BA long haul passengers who flew in first or business class, or any class if oneworld Emerald (no guest)
American Airlines Arrivals Lounge (recently renovated)

Terminal 5 lounges:

Airside lounges:
British Airways Concorde Room (longhaul BA First)
British Airways Galleries First Lounge - South Concourse
British Airways Galleries Club lounges both North & South Concourses
British Airways Galleries Club lounge T5B Satellite

Landside, for arriving BA First/Club World passengers and oneworld emerald members in World Traveller or World Traveller Plus (no guest)
British Airways Galleries Arrivals Lounge

For hours, access, amenities, etc. consult the oneworld lounge access tool here

Link to the most useful London Heathrow International Airport website. Click on "Connections" for a connection assistance tool.

For long connections where you might wish to go to London, you can use "the tube" (Underground, ~50 minutes, cheapest), busses to various locations, taxis (the most expensive, about 45 minutes) or "minicabs" and other hired cars, the Heathrow Express (15 minutes to Paddington station) or Heathrow Connect (30 minutes to Paddington). You can also Uber or bus to nearby Windsor town, and with sufficient time even tour Windsor Castle.

For links to local and local hotels, other airports (such as Gatwick, ~1:30), railroad stations (Feltham, Watford, Woking and Reading), intercity coaches (such as Oxford) start at this page.

The Tube takes 50 minutes from the Central / Terminals 2/3, T-4 or T-5 stations using the Piccadilly Line. Link to LHR tube page; link to London Toolkit page on LHR and Piccadilly line; link to Transport for London page.

The Heathrow Express / HEX departs T-5 and takes 21 minutes (it stops at Central / T2/3, six minutes) and onward to Paddington (15 minutes, about 1/3 of the time a taxi would take, though a taxi or bus can tale longer in some traffic). The trains have 15 minute headway (depart every 15 minutes) and have baggage racks.

(If you stay at Hilton T-4, board HEX at T-5, go to Central / T-2/3, get off, take the connecting train to T-4 (4 minutes), all free. From T-4 follow the signs to the hotel, perhaps 10 minute walk by covered board walk).

The Elizabeth Line (formerly TfL Rail) costs less, takes 30 minutes to Paddington from the Heathrow stations, and continues to key central London destinations such as Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street.


This London Heathrow International Airport connection / transfer thread has been split off from the original thread, which can be read here: BA T5 <-> AA T3 transfer /connection at LHR / Heathrow (obsolete, trailing thread).

For other terminals please see ARCHIVE: BA T5 <-> AA T3 transfer /connection at LHR / Heathrow

Also see this page for MCT information.





Print Wikipost

GUIDE: LHR / London Heathrow, Connection, MCT inc. AA T3 <--> BA/IB T5

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2024, 2:13 pm
  #1306  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Originally Posted by pythonisman
This is maybe obtuse as a connecting flight query but I didn’t want to start a new thread.

In a couple of days we’re flying LHR-SOF-BOS-LAX, all on one (BA/125) ticket but with LHR-BOS-LAX on AA.

LHR-SOF is in an evening, overnight connection then on to AA the next day approx 11:45am. We’re not checking bags from Sofia but will check one at LHR the next day.

We’re planning a lazy morning before the Boston flight in the lounges for breakfast etc- would AA’s check in let us drop bags >2hrs before the flight? I would assume yes, but wanted to check if there was a time that each flight opened for bag drop/check in. Will need document checking and my husband has a US visa so will take some time from past experience (I’ve got an ESTA).

Thanks in advance!
Yes, with AA it's no problem to check-in 2+ hours before departure. Any cities with check-in time limits are listed here but LHR isn't one of them.
pythonisman likes this.
JJeffrey is offline  
Old Mar 27, 2024, 2:38 pm
  #1307  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: QF, TK, VA, SQ
Posts: 695
Originally Posted by JJeffrey
Yes, with AA it's no problem to check-in 2+ hours before departure. Any cities with check-in time limits are listed here but LHR isn't one of them.
Thank you!
pythonisman is offline  
Old Mar 27, 2024, 3:35 pm
  #1308  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
Originally Posted by shd9
When doing the T3<->T5 transfer, some people prefer to clear immigration and take a landside train, especially when they see the flight connection buses backed up, they have passports for LHR e-passport control, and they are eligible for First Wing (OWE)
Is this really worth it?
It is quite the walk to the underground station near T3 (and it can be confusing for a first timer)...like 25 mins at least? and then wait for the train and the train ride itself?
All for the dedicated security line and the perceived sense of exclusivity of the First Wing?
carlosdca is offline  
Old Mar 27, 2024, 7:26 pm
  #1309  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 540
Originally Posted by carlosdca
Is this really worth it?
It is quite the walk to the underground station near T3 (and it can be confusing for a first timer)...like 25 mins at least? and then wait for the train and the train ride itself?
All for the dedicated security line and the perceived sense of exclusivity of the First Wing?
I’m with you. I don’t think it is worth the effort. Transiting at LHR is often not fun, but I’m hard pressed to believe that clearing immigration and then reentering through security is worth it as compared to just clearing security. But YMMV.
Markie likes this.
CMTinPHL is offline  
Old Mar 28, 2024, 12:03 am
  #1310  
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,968
Originally Posted by carlosdca
Is this really worth it?
It is quite the walk to the underground station near T3 (and it can be confusing for a first timer)...like 25 mins at least? and then wait for the train and the train ride itself?
All for the dedicated security line and the perceived sense of exclusivity of the First Wing?
best to use HEX/crossrail, the station is much closer to T3 than the tube station. It doesn't take 25 minutes from getting landside at T3 to getting to platform level, more like 7-10 minutes at most.

you can still use TFW even if you get the airside bus to T5. when you get to T5 just take the normal arrivals route rather than heading to connections.

personally, unless it is later than 2000, i will use the airside bus and then head landside at T5 and up to use TFW. heading in the other direction, for a UK/DUB/JER arrival in to T5 i will head landside and then HEX/crossrail to T3, for any other arrival I will probably use the airside bus to get to T3.
Markie and Clark Casual like this.
KARFA is online now  
Old Mar 28, 2024, 2:45 am
  #1311  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Originally Posted by carlosdca
Is this really worth it?
It is quite the walk to the underground station near T3 (and it can be confusing for a first timer)...like 25 mins at least? and then wait for the train and the train ride itself?
All for the dedicated security line and the perceived sense of exclusivity of the First Wing?
I do it for arrivals lounge access off US flights, both arrivals lounges are better IMO than the airside lounges in T5, the First Wing is then an added benefit.
apeortdz and wrp96 like this.
bse118 is offline  
Old Mar 28, 2024, 11:20 am
  #1312  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
Originally Posted by KARFA
It doesn't take 25 minutes from getting landside at T3 to getting to platform level, more like 7-10 minutes at most.
From gate 25 to HEX platform it took me around 25 minutes, I did not know my way around much.
According to the Heathrow maps directions, it takes 17 mins.


I think you walk fast and know your way very well.
carlosdca is offline  
Old Mar 28, 2024, 11:24 am
  #1313  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
Originally Posted by bse118
I do it for arrivals lounge access off US flights, both arrivals lounges are better IMO than the airside lounges in T5, the First Wing is then an added benefit.
better than the Concord Room? (which I assume you can access too, if you can access the First Wing)?
I've only used once the AA arrivals lounge and I thought it was just a lounge. Wouldn't go out of my way to stop by during a connection.
carlosdca is offline  
Old Mar 28, 2024, 11:36 am
  #1314  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,740
CCR requires being in first class, First Wing allows access to OWE as well (for lounge access, OWE only get First Lounge access not CCR access).
wrp96 is offline  
Old Mar 28, 2024, 11:36 am
  #1315  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
Originally Posted by carlosdca
better than the Concord Room? (which I assume you can access too, if you can access the First Wing)?
Many passengers can access the First Wing but not the CCR. And some of us don’t really understand what the big deal is about the CCR. I do use it when I have access, but it doesn’t bother me in the least when I don’t.
Blumie is offline  
Old Mar 28, 2024, 12:20 pm
  #1316  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Originally Posted by carlosdca
better than the Concord Room? (which I assume you can access too, if you can access the First Wing)?
I've only used once the AA arrivals lounge and I thought it was just a lounge. Wouldn't go out of my way to stop by during a connection.
So as others have noted first wing has much wider access than CCR.

The showers at AAs arrivals lounge are much better than the T5 BA showers. Unlike the airside lounges I've never waited for a shower at either arrivals lounge. And both arrivals lounges are much quieter than the airside T5 BA First lounge.
bse118 is offline  
Old Mar 28, 2024, 12:22 pm
  #1317  
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,968
Originally Posted by carlosdca
From gate 25 to HEX platform it took me around 25 minutes, I did not know my way around much.
According to the Heathrow maps directions, it takes 17 mins.
...

I think you walk fast and know your way very well.
ah so you were talking about stepping off the plane to getting to the platform. that very much depends on which gate you arrive at since some are quite a long way away from immigration and the flight connection airside buses.

from 25 that still sounds like a lot considering it is one of the closest to immigration.
KARFA is online now  
Old Apr 9, 2024, 12:08 pm
  #1318  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern Europe/USA
Posts: 662
Cart service

Originally Posted by Kacee
Net, net it's probably a crapshoot whether the security line cuts (and several other shortcuts) make up for the wait for a wheelchair, depending in particular on how line the lines are. I do agree that mobility assistance should be requested by those who need it, not those looking for line cuts.
was watching a u tube made by a person doing the transfer using the bus. It appeared that the corridors were very long both to the bus and then to the T5 gate area. I did see a waiting cart. Wouldn’t it be faster for traveling the corridors?
worldwidetraveler is offline  
Old Apr 9, 2024, 12:29 pm
  #1319  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,740
Originally Posted by worldwidetraveler
was watching a u tube made by a person doing the transfer using the bus. It appeared that the corridors were very long both to the bus and then to the T5 gate area. I did see a waiting cart. Wouldn’t it be faster for traveling the corridors?
Whether they use the cart or not depends on many things. I've had them use the cart - but that still involved sitting and waiting while every person in need of assistance got off the plane. The cart then took us all to connections, where we then sat waiting in another area to be taken onward. Then yet again at another spot to be taken onward. Cart or wheelchair, there's a lot of waiting at various points for the next person to take you onwards. They also have different types of carts they use. Wheelchair assistance at LHR is provided by a company called Wilson James and is consistently inconsistent.
wrp96 is offline  
Old Apr 12, 2024, 2:52 pm
  #1320  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: RDU
Programs: EXP AA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 34
Staying in T3 after landing before flight out of T5

Fellow FT'ers,

After 3M miles I probably should know this - but I'm curious what everyone's recent experience or expertise says.

I land on AA100 from JFK at 6am tomorrow, and my connecting flight on BA isn't until 2pm. I would prefer to stay in T3 for lounges, showers, food, etc. I know you have to scan your boarding pass and it says WRONG TERMINAL sometimes. Is there any way to stay in T3? Tell them I'm meeting a friend? Want to shop in T3? Exit landside and then re-enter in T3?

I have plenty of time - so open to all ideas....

Thanks!
mikeriegel1 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.