wdchuck1

AA has really improved their Int'l business class offering to Asia and most of Europe (777,787 destinations) and on the JFK-LHR route, they now leave BA in the dust

They have also reinstated the day flight - AA 142 - the only problem with this flight is that usually arrives after the Fast Lane in LHR closes and that creates problems..

The scheduled arrival time is 22:10 and the Fast Lane closes SHARPLY at 22:00 - so, if your flight is not at least 30 Early and parked at a close-in gate you are going to miss it - so, instead of flying through immigration, it took me 1:45M to clear -

if you miss it, be prepared for hell -you will be in the Immigration area with at least 1x A 380 and a few other flights - what makes the matter worse is that at 23:00 there are only 3 immigration officers on duty -

Keep this in mind when you are booking the flight and consider the earlier BA

Ldnn1

Doesn't sound fun. Incidentally the length of queues at the UK border is getting some press coverage here at the moment as the summer holidays get underway.

Note if you are a regular visitor to the UK you may want to sign up for the registered traveller scheme which means you could use the EU/e-gate lines. More info here: Registered Traveller Scheme - easier entry for regular visitors to the UK

Dave Noble

I wouldn't assume that the Fast Track would have been much better even it it was open. I arrived at Heathrow recently and the queue in fast track was 2 hours

Finsup72

Interesting - I've been at LHR twice over the last couple weeks coming off AA redeye flights from JFK and I breezed through Fast Track in less than 5 minutes each time. The regular queue looked like it easily could've been over an hour wait given how many people were in line.

erik123

Just took 142 in Y and we were through in 10 minutes. Last few times the same so for me it has been quite OK..

econometrics

I find FastTrack at LHR in both T3 and T5 to be entirely unpredictable. It seems like whenever I use FT, the regular line moves more quickly. Then when I try the regular line, FT moves along nicely.

LDNConsultant

If you are a frequent traveler to the UK maybe the best option is to get the UK Registered Traveler which allows you to use the automated machine as well as the EU/UK line.

Dave Noble

That would be so nice if I could actually get one for my foster son - but being under 18 and my having a UK passport and so not able to register myself ( and add him ) , it is rather evilly devised to make it impossible for my need

morrisunc

I take 142 all the time and Fastrack is usually closed, but immigration has always been empty and I've breezed through.

UKtravelbear

There were no delays last Tuesday when I arrived on the 142

It appeared there were no queues for non EU passports and US passport holders were arriving at the baggage belt in good time and I heard no complaints about queue lengths or being delayed.

Of course there may be times when queues may be long - all it takes is for another flight to be delayed / arrive early so the queues do build up. No airport is immune from that.

River in Sight

I took AA90 (gets in just a bit later than the JFK flight) three weeks ago and was through immigration in just a few minutes. As the OP points out I was disappointed to find Fast Track was closed, but we breezed through anyway.

As a side note, for the first time I can recall ever in dozens of many international trips, I was asked for proof of onward travel. Luckily my wife had printed out our itinerary and had it handy.