Anyone else changing flights due to the well publicized issues at LHR?
Apr 17, 2022, 7:41 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2021
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Apr 17, 2022, 8:24 pm
#17
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I have a routing LAX-LHR-FCO in early June, the latter with BA, I'm holding tickets with a 4 hour gap on ITA (reincarnated Alitalia) as a stop gap as well, Going to see how they do in May before I decide if I keep those tickets, making the assumption they will address most of the issues. UK school's aren't out while on this trip so it won't be a rush for LHR-other destinations like it was for school breaks and Easter the last few weeks. We'll see.
Apr 18, 2022, 3:38 am
#18
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
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I have a routing LAX-LHR-FCO in early June, the latter with BA, I'm holding tickets with a 4 hour gap on ITA (reincarnated Alitalia) as a stop gap as well, Going to see how they do in May before I decide if I keep those tickets, making the assumption they will address most of the issues. UK school's aren't out while on this trip so it won't be a rush for LHR-other destinations like it was for school breaks and Easter the last few weeks. We'll see.
If you’re flying AA into London and terminating there, I wouldn’t worry too much. The biggest issue has been with BA ground staff and AA (I think) employ their own staff above the wing and use Menzies below the wing. AA’s timekeeping at LHR has been pretty good. If you’re a US passport holder, you’ll have e-gate access so even if the queues look huge, they tend to move pretty fast.
If you’re connecting to/from BA then general advice would be to take a connection as early in the day as possible and avoid weekends and public holidays as this is when BA seem to come under most pressure.
Additionally, if you only have access to Galleries Club, then take yourself straight to T5B when you arrive at T5 and go to the lounge there, it’s far, far quieter than any of the T5A lounges. Even if you have Galleries First access, you may be happier in T5B (Concorde Room is a different story).
Apr 18, 2022, 5:48 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,700
not as many IB codeshare flights and IB doesn’t have the frequency that BA does out of LHR
Now, I will start by saying that I absolutely hate transiting through LHR under the best of circumstances - originating or terminating there is ok. The recent highly publicized issues at LHR (cancelled flights, extreme luggage delays....) prompted me to change two AA business class tickets I had scheduled for the summer to other carriers. This actually led to shorter travel time in both instances and in one a single connection within the US. I had sucked up the LHR transit initially to help with LP as I am so close to EXP for 2023. I think I'll still make it, but it was assured had I used these original flights.
Does anyone know why AA does not utilize the MADrid hub for Iberia more often as a connecting point? It is such a modern airport and in my experience so easy to use. If you are on ONEWORLD, you never have the hassle of taking lengthy bus rides between terminals, i.e., T4S and T4. I mean Iberia and BA are both owned by IAG, I've never understood the lack of use of MAD as a connecting point.
Does anyone know why AA does not utilize the MADrid hub for Iberia more often as a connecting point? It is such a modern airport and in my experience so easy to use. If you are on ONEWORLD, you never have the hassle of taking lengthy bus rides between terminals, i.e., T4S and T4. I mean Iberia and BA are both owned by IAG, I've never understood the lack of use of MAD as a connecting point.
Apr 18, 2022, 6:04 am
#20
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I have a routing LAX-LHR-FCO in early June, the latter with BA, I'm holding tickets with a 4 hour gap on ITA (reincarnated Alitalia) as a stop gap as well, Going to see how they do in May before I decide if I keep those tickets, making the assumption they will address most of the issues. UK school's aren't out while on this trip so it won't be a rush for LHR-other destinations like it was for school breaks and Easter the last few weeks. We'll see.
Apr 18, 2022, 7:21 am
#21
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I blame no one for not connecting at LHR if you have to use that clunky old terminal and the fact that LHR is like trying to pour a quart into a pint pot. However let us be clear - if you are arriving on one of the flights using T5 than it is pretty plain (excuse pun) sailing. You do have to redo security which is idiotic in my very un-humble opinion even though you have been flying for hours already - however that apart it is a doddle.
MAD is a most efficient airport but if you have to transfer from T4S to T4 - you do (I will stand correction here) have to go through Immigration as you are entering the EU. However I am not Iberia's greatest fan - but that is just me.
MAD is a most efficient airport but if you have to transfer from T4S to T4 - you do (I will stand correction here) have to go through Immigration as you are entering the EU. However I am not Iberia's greatest fan - but that is just me.
Apr 18, 2022, 7:52 am
#22
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Apr 18, 2022, 9:50 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, BD Blue (RIP)
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T4S - although check-in and baggage reclaim for all T4 and T4S flights are in the main T4 building. Prior to COVID, there was a non-Schengen area of the main T4 building that served Iberia narrowbodies but I don’t know if that’s been reactivated yet.
Apr 18, 2022, 2:56 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
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Right now my BA flight is T5 and my AA flight arrives T5 - would be good to know how bad connections center in T5 has been and if there is an open FastTrack in the connections center.
Apr 18, 2022, 5:31 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DCA
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Maybe I've been lucky, but flying several times to LHR T5 (as a destination and as a transfer point) I have not had any major delays this year. Security is still horrendous, but I have finally figured out how to dress to get through the scanner and managed to get my carry on organized so that I have not had to have anything rescreened.
Apr 18, 2022, 7:05 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
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I've done about 5 connections through LHR this year and connection security can be a nightmare - they are still not staffing that security area well enough sometimes, I've entered the UK when I can and gone through other security screening points quicker. To top this off, If you have a late arrival and BA (happens often lately) you can be hosed making the next flight. I've also had BA cancel Europe short-haul flights with little notice the last few weeks leaving me with failed connections. So, connections can be affected as well, generally though you are given a little bit of warning, but many times few ideal options. I've actually started flying LH via MUC to get to LHR to make long haul AA flights. Not had ONE issue with LH whereas the BA nonstop is hours delayed or cancelled from my origin in Europe
Apr 19, 2022, 1:13 am
#30
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exception being to TLV, where IB has lie flats from MAD.
unfortunately, BA is often the cheapest option now even incl surcharges vs AA bazillion miles quote.
I’m in the new BA cabins TATL only way back to VCE. Haven’t tried them but expect id prefer AAs 77W in J. But should I expect problems transiting LHR in VCE-LHR-LAX in J?