Jun 29, 2022, 8:30 am
Last edit by: aztimm
It has been confirmed by AA that they will be moving all flights back to LHR T3 as of 12 July 2022:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/destinationInformation/lhr-airport.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/destinationInformation/lhr-airport.jsp
We 're moving all operations to Terminal 3 on July 12, 2022.
Until then, if you're flying to New York (JFK), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA) you’ll check-in and depart from Terminal 5.
Remember to check your flight status before you go to the airport and arrive at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time.
Until then, if you're flying to New York (JFK), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA) you’ll check-in and depart from Terminal 5.
Remember to check your flight status before you go to the airport and arrive at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time.
AA Splits Ops at LHR / London Heathrow T3 and T5; ending 12 Jul 2022 (confirmed)
Aug 8, 2021, 10:07 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,973
Not if you're transiting. Yes, you can in theory access the First Wing to transit, and I've done it, but that involves going through UK immigration and going airside, which is not a practical alternative right now due to Covid procedures and long waits at the UK border.
Aug 8, 2021, 10:55 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 31
In T3 we were literally the only people in the entire security screening area. I’m sure it helped that currently the LAX flight is one of the last to leave (5pm) for the day.
Aug 8, 2021, 11:13 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Good point, but through anecdotal observation, it seems that most of the even top tier AA flyers have no idea they can use some other OW lounge than the one they are "invited" to. I remember taking a stroll to the AA Flagship First Lounge (back in the day) at LAX when they were under renovation. Packed, while the QF First Lounge was practically empty. The contrast couldn't of being higher between the two lounges on space, offerings etc. but there they all were, happy, I suppose, but I trekked back to the QF lounge as fast I could.
Aug 8, 2021, 5:50 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: Sometimes BA, sometimes AA
Posts: 663
Any rumours or gossip regarding when the AA arrivals lounge might open?
(I don't expect it will be for a long time as BA's has been closed in T5 for ages and shows no sign of reopening, but I can live in hope)
(I don't expect it will be for a long time as BA's has been closed in T5 for ages and shows no sign of reopening, but I can live in hope)
Aug 9, 2021, 8:27 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: SoCal,
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro
Posts: 771
Trip thru LHR in December, fingers crossed the CX lounge pops back open. That lounge in T3 is a joy.
. No indication when the other (AA, CX, QF) lounges will come back online. Given the low volumes to pax allowed to both Hong Kong and Australia, their lounges will not probably open for awhile.
Aug 9, 2021, 1:22 pm
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: United States (mostly), New Zealand (sometimes), Sweden (now and then)
Posts: 868
Any reasoning behind leaving the JFK flights at T5?
Aug 9, 2021, 1:38 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
my guess is that AA and BA will make pitches to their corporate customers that by operating from a single terminal at LHR, the carriers can provide a near shuttle type operation, including ability to depart on earlier/later flights on either carrier, as desired. The significant downside to AA’s split operation is pax confusion about which terminal is the correct one.
Aug 10, 2021, 3:46 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 2
Connecting thru LHR
Thanks for the tip about Security check at LHR. The last time I was there (2019) they were really obnoxious. I travel with prescription meds in tubes which they rejected. I am headed there today on my way to CDG so will need to be extra careful. You saved me a lot of money 👍
I’m talking about the security you have to go through when changing planes at LHR. I’m Concierge Key traveling in F and had to stand in line like everyone else. On the way to ATH the connections area in T5 was a zoo, and both of our carry-ons were selected for additional screening. They go through piece by piece. It was like watching the DMV sloths from Zootopia.
In T3 we were literally the only people in the entire security screening area. I’m sure it helped that currently the LAX flight is one of the last to leave (5pm) for the day.
In T3 we were literally the only people in the entire security screening area. I’m sure it helped that currently the LAX flight is one of the last to leave (5pm) for the day.
Last edited by Microwave; Aug 12, 2021 at 12:46 am Reason: Corrected invalid quote syntax
Aug 11, 2021, 8:55 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: PBI/MIA
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Skymiles, Mileage Plus
Posts: 397
American Airlines has just split operations at London Heathrow as air traffic has increased.
New York JFK flights continue departing (BA) Terminal 5.
Other AA flights depart the recently reopened Terminal 3. ONLY the BA lounge is open (closed lounges include AA Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge, CX, QF, see following post) are open at Terminal 3. This may change as traffic increases.
https://milesfromblighty.boardingare...s-at-heathrow/
New York JFK flights continue departing (BA) Terminal 5.
Other AA flights depart the recently reopened Terminal 3. ONLY the BA lounge is open (closed lounges include AA Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge, CX, QF, see following post) are open at Terminal 3. This may change as traffic increases.
https://milesfromblighty.boardingare...s-at-heathrow/
Aug 11, 2021, 9:05 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
If you're Sapphire or higher then you can use the BA J lounge, Emerald or higher the F lounge.
Aug 11, 2021, 9:10 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
So my guess for your situation is no, but it can't hurt to ask.
Aug 11, 2021, 9:16 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,232
When AA moved their flights to T5, they allowed Admirals Club members access to the Galleries Club lounge "when traveling on an American Airlines flight". My belief is that you have to be departing on AA metal -- the wording on AA.com for partner lounges in Europe is "Must present your membership card and boarding pass at lounge check-in counter for same-day departure on an American Airlines operated flight."
So my guess for your situation is no, but it can't hurt to ask.
So my guess for your situation is no, but it can't hurt to ask.
i cannot find the post at the moment but earlier this morning on the BA board there was a report of someone being turned away from the BA lounge and saw there were agents at least at the desk in the AC who called down to the BA lounge to ensure the pax was allowed in. i cannot find that post at the moment but signs point to yes as of now given there are almost no BA flights from T3 at the moment.
Aug 11, 2021, 11:34 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,967
We just experienced T3 at LHR yesterday coming back ATH-LHR-LAX. We were in F, and I can confirm the BA lounge is open (just the Club side, not the First side). Food choices are meager — pre-packaged sandwiches, chips (crisps), muffins. Definitely not comparable to the food in BA First lounge in T5 we had on the way out.
The good news is that the transfer Security at T3 was much easier and faster than T5. The bad news was the AA document check took a while, even with not that many people in line.
The good news is that the transfer Security at T3 was much easier and faster than T5. The bad news was the AA document check took a while, even with not that many people in line.
Aug 11, 2021, 12:29 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: PBI/MIA
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Skymiles, Mileage Plus
Posts: 397
When AA moved their flights to T5, they allowed Admirals Club members access to the Galleries Club lounge "when traveling on an American Airlines flight". My belief is that you have to be departing on AA metal -- the wording on AA.com for partner lounges in Europe is "Must present your membership card and boarding pass at lounge check-in counter for same-day departure on an American Airlines operated flight."
So my guess for your situation is no, but it can't hurt to ask.
So my guess for your situation is no, but it can't hurt to ask.
I keep hearing that the Centurion Lounge is opening "soon," but no clue what that means.
Aug 11, 2021, 2:44 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
I should have been more specific: Coming in on AA metal, leaving on BA metal, but it's an AA flight number. Also, I have no idea which terminal(s) I'll be using. I just know I've got a six-hour layover and would REALLY like to spend it in a club, rather than in the terminal.
I keep hearing that the Centurion Lounge is opening "soon," but no clue what that means.
I keep hearing that the Centurion Lounge is opening "soon," but no clue what that means.