SAAdFlyer

I have a trip JFK-LHR_DXB coming up in economy with a pretty long layover in LHR (12 hrs). Wondering if there is a way to access a lounge and freshen up before heading into LHR. Given that it's economy and I'm a OW Sapphire currently, arrivals lounges are out. My JFK-LHR segment is on AA and LHR-DXB is on BA. Can I do an airside transfer from T3-T5 (I'm assuming that the LHR-DXB leaves from T5), use the BA lounge and then exit the terminal to get to the city? In my few times at LHR I couldn't figure out an obvious way to get landside from the departures level once I was past security. Thanks for any advice.

Petrus

Hi,

DXB leaves from T5. 12h is a very long lay-over, even with Galleries Club access. You can transfer airside T3-T5. In theory there should not be a problem going T5 airside, using the facilities and then exit however it likely involves getting some sort of escort by the airport operator or BA staff from airside, who also are likely to ask some questions.

Please stick around and our BA insiders will probably provide more valid information. Also, prepare yourself for some flak for 'abusing' the system, as some will claim you're doing something which is unethical....

Stez

Not sure about the lounge thing... I'll stay well clear of that.

As for leaving T5 airside, you can take the train thingy that goes to T5B, and stay on for the return back to T5A - you're now part of passengers who have not cleared UK security and you can make your way out via the baggage hall.

I just did that last month (the exiting bit)... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...e-escorts.html

adrianjc32

BAA under pressure from UKBA (apparently) are being rather difficult around the landside escort bit. You could take the train to B as suggested but please be cautious as we have had several customers recently not make it back airside in time as they are already logged as airside and so get turned back at the conformance scan point prior to security. It can be resolved, however in these cases time has been against the customers.

If you have a substantial layover why not go landside in T5 and get a day room at the Sofitel, enjoy the spa, sleep and freshen up before going through to airside for the flight.

Andriyko

I think it is possible to purchase lounge access for AA Arrivals lounge at T3.

I would not advise making the connection airside as it will be difficult to leave T% and go landside (it is possible but when you present yourself at Security again - it will be interesting to explain how come you're shown as having already gone through security).

Greenpen

There is an AA arrivals lounge in T3 but I do not know whether you can access that with your OW status only. It is landside.

ocdb8r

I've done the train transfer before without much of a hitch. As you have 12 hours, you would be fine time wise. The key though is to remeber to get back in time to have the BA staff untag your record so that you do not still show up as airside when you attempt to go through security.

prof

I just wanted to give this thread a bump to see if anyone has done this more recently. Is the most straightforward thing still to take the train out to the B gates and then back in, through customs, to landside?

Genius1

Why do you want to exit landside? If on an arriving flight with a long layover, simply exit through Arrivals when your flight lands.

You can stay on the train (to T5C) and wait for it to come back, but you will be asked what you are doing by the security staff who check the train before its return journey.

prof

Well, my basic plan is to stay airside and wait it out in the South lounges, but I was wondering how feasible it is if I get antsy and decide to leave for a few hours, say into London.

Genius1

You will find that getting back through BP check prior to security could be an issue. The system will think you are already airside.

Too much hassle IMO. Either go landside when you arrive or stay airside for your layover.

Custardthecat

Exactly,

I am guessing that they will not allow you to do this. The purpose of clearing a ttrain is to clear it of all pax and baggage (including you).

stifle

If you do that, make sure you get a lounge dragon to clear your airside indicator, as otherwise your BP will be rejected when you try to get back in.

lhrworker

The best way to do this is as follows:

Get transfer bus from T3 to T5 and this will take you Airside in T5.

Ask staff how are the queues at passport control as you will be coming back there are you have cleared Terminal 5 flight connections security.

Clear flight connections security and then you will be in the departure lounge (airside after security)

This area is where you will wait from your DXB flight to depart.

Gate will be shown on the screen 1 hour before departure.

Now the fun bit getting out of the terminal.

BAA are the people that would normally escort you out of the departure lounge as it is a secure area and this takes time and depends on their availability.

Its not the best possible senario but what you could do is get the train from A gates (near gate A15) to C gates but then stay on the train.

Wait on the train and then it will depart going back to A gates but the train will take you back 2 stops and the doors opening on the relevant side will direct you to the arrivals side and you will then have to follow everyone to the passport control.

Depending on what passport you have, you may need to go the area where you would have to line up and fill in a landing car (UK border agency document)

The lines can be long here on certain days and times but you could check this area on your way past when you first get off the bus from T3 to T5. Just ask any staff where passport control is....

Once through passport control, you will then be in arrivals / baggage hall.

Go through customs channel (green if you have nothing to declare) and then you will be in the main arrivals area.

Go up the other end of arricals towards the purple lift on the same level you are on and this is where the underground train station is.

You should be opposite the Marks and Spencer shop

Next to this, there is left luggage shop (called express baggage company) where you can leave your nand luggage / bag whilst in central london for the day for a small charge

Buy a one day travelcard from the underground ticket office and then this will give you unlimited travel on trains / buses and underground.

(see here http://www.tfl.gov.uk)


London Underground maps are here:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/14091.aspx


Allow at least 1hr 30 mins to get there and 1hr 30 mins to get back to Heathrow airport from Central London.

The other optioin is to use the Heathrow Express which is the fastest way and only takes 15 miuntes to get to Paddington staion... trouble is, it can be expensive but if its time critical then who cares about the price!!

http://www.heathrowexpress.com

You would still probably have to buy a one day travelcard after this but maybe only zone 1 and 2 which would be cheaper than if you bought a zone 1- 6 (zone 6 is where heathrow is, so if you get heathrow express there and back, you would only need Zone 1 - 2.

Also bear in mind that you will need to be back at the airport and through terminal security 45 minutes before your departing flight.

So if you are on BA109 you would need to be at the airport around 2050 if it leaves at 2140.

Central London can be confusing to people who have never been there beofre so do you research on where you want to go or what you want to do before arriving and plan your time wisely using the travel times I have given here

stifle

I think there are two problems here.

Isn't there a guy who hunts everyone out of the train when it gets to T5C?
If you have entered T5 airside, your boarding pass will have been scanned at conformance on the way and will be rejected at the second attempt.

If you want to get into London, clear UKBA at terminal 3, and go through security at terminal 5 when you get back. No point in going through the faff with going to T5 and exiting.