Aug 18, 2013, 2:36 pm
Last edit by: LondonAndy
See also this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ing-guide.html
For details of suitable hotels for those doing a last flight/first flight turnaround, please see this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...rt-hotels.html
Order: Back-to-back Transfer Landside Notes
[so Excellent for back to back usually means an easy airside transfer with few risks]
ABZ: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable Reasonable Arrivals decant into departure hall.
ACE: Reasonable if off season, there is a transfer channel just before passports Reasonable Reasonable
AGP: Excellent for Schengen, Risky if not. Schengen - immediate turnaround possible at gate area. Non-Schengen - There is a transit passageway back to airside on the left after passports, but there can be long delays at passports, achievable if you are willing to politely push in the queue.
see here.
ALC: Reasonable if off season, but you do need to go fully airside if non Schengen. Small and efficient airport. Peak time: see here.
ALG: Impractical due to visa and immigration processes. See post 2224.
AMS: Excellent Excellent Poor Arrivals decant into departure hall normally.
ANE: Good - very small airport, tarmac walk. You may want to telephone the airport to let them know since there's no OLCI facility.
ARN: Excellent Good Reasonable (arriving pax should watch for sign to gates 70-82) * see posts 593, 238 & 1298 for more details.
ATH: Reasonable but don't hang about, you need to enter Schengen immigration, then leave Schengen, and a fairly efficient security check. Distances aren't great.
BCN: Good to excellent - bit of a walk - small flight connection facility to the left of passport control, dedicated security but no passports Good if non-Schengen, Reasonable if Schengen Reasonable
BGO: Excellent Excellent Excellent, borderline foolproof though only restricted number of flights Arrivals decant into departure hall.
BHD: Excellent - use stairs upwards between gates 5 and 6, against flow Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable Reasonable
BIO: Reasonable, does involve going landside but small airport, airbridge rather than bus Reasonable Reasonable
BIQ: Reasonable, involves going through passports to landside, security and passports again, but you need to be off early since passport checks are thorough.
BJV: Not really feasible, there is no online check-in or App facility, you must check in at the gate.
BOD: Reasonable but does involve going landside and back again. However it's a small airport and efficient.
BLL: Good (there is a clear transfer route after passport control to avoid a security check Good Good
BLQ: Good (small airport but you have to go landside) Reasonable Reasonable (bus gates)
BRI: Good (small airport but you have to go landside) Reasonable Reasonable
BSL: Good Good Good (Bit of a walk to landside, but it's not a huge airport. See this post for info).
BRU: Excellent on the transfer route, reasonable if not Reasonable Poor (see comments in post #246, also 64 onwards)
CAG: Reasonable, does involve going landside but small airport, airbridge rather than bus Reasonable Reasonable
CDG: Hopeless
CFU: Near impossible, no OLCI, you must present yourself at check-in. Process involves bus, passports, out to landside, short walk to departures building on right, security and bus. Security is bad on peak days.
CGN: No OLCI, but on some dates it is still possible. See this post for details.
CHQ: Near impossible despite being a small airport, no OLCI so you can only get a boarding pass at the airport, and bus to and from gates.
CMB: Easy to do airside. Arriving and departing pax are not segregated. If you have your return boarding pass, just walk directly from arrival gate to departure gate.
CMF: Generally Good, involves going landside. Best avoid Saturdays, the main changeover day, when security is stretched.
CPH: Excellent Good Reasonable Arrivals decant into departure hall.
CTA: Reasonable, there is a transfer route signed but seems obsolete. However small and efficient airport so still do-able if going via landside.
DBV: Impractical - there's no online check in here, you have to go landside and collect a boarding pass. Otherwise a very small airport.
DUB: Good (if ex-LHR), Reasonable if ex-LCY (quicker plane turnaround) Good if Common Travel Area, otherwise Reasonable Reasonable May require passing security, so Fast Track helps. See this post for a photo guide. (As of June 2017 increased risk due to pax segregation at 200 gates and ongoing building work)
DUS: Excellent Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen Good Arrivals decant into departure gate, though risk of bus to baggage hall.
EDI: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable to Poor Reasonable to Poor Arrivals decant into departure hall normally, risk of bus to baggage hall.
EGC: Impractical. Bergerac has its own check-in system and is currently not on App/OLCI, so boarding passes must be obtained in person, no later than 45 minutes before departure.
FCO: Reasonable (return shuttle to main terminal) Reasonable Reasonable
FDH: Impractical due to delays during ski season - see here.
FLR: Poor due to use of bus transfers and airport layout Poor - no transfer track Reasonable
FNC: Reasonable due to small airport and long turnarounds. You do need to go landside and return to airside. Note high risk of weather related diversions. Bus from aircraft, passports, security, passports, walk to aircraft.
FRA: Reasonable to Poor Poor (particularly if coming off Schengen) Reasonable
FSC: Uncertain - if boarding passes can be issued in advance then it will be an easy landside transfer in a tiny airport. If boarding passes can only be collected in FSC then it's impossible.
FUE: Reasonable if out of the peak season, airbridges used. Have to go via passports landside and security, behind check in. Try Canaries+Families security if desperate.
GIB: Good Good Good Must go landside, bearing right and back up through security. Turnaround can be long. Leave the aircraft early so as to beat the queue at passport arrivals.
GLA: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable Reasonable Arrivals decant into departure hall normally.
GNB: Good Good Good: Walk to/from aircraft. Must go landside, outside and right back into departures. Long turnaround times make this feasible though Saturdays busy.
GOA: Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable
GOT: Excellent Excellent Excellent Borderline foolproof. Arrivals decant into departure hall.
GVA: Excellent Good Good (but can be poor during ski season) Turn left in arrival lane to go back up to departures area.
HAJ: Excellent Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen Good Arrivals decant into departure gate. See posts 1670 and 1671 below.
HAM: Excellent Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen Reasonable Arrivals decant into departure hall, though sometimes bus to baggage hall.
HEL: Good Good Reasonable Incoming passengers can reverse direction just before Schengen passports. If a bus from gate, you will need to rush.
HER: Infeasible. There is no online or App check in, it's a bus transfer and arrivals / departures are in separate buildings.
INN: Good Good Good - you have to go landside, and there is a bus transfer to/from the aircraft, but the airport is very small and highly efficient.
INV: Good to Excellent Good Good - you have to go landside and through security. See here for more info.
IOM: Good Good Good (no flight connections but small airport)
IST: Good (visa not required) Good Poor (also note you may need to buy a visa as a result of going landside). More details in this post.
JER: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Good Good Arrivals decant into departure hall, sometimes you need to double back to the BA lounge.
JMK: Nearly impossible due to clunky arrival processing and use of buses.
JTR: Impossible: bus transfer, slow passports.
KEF: Excellent Excellent if non Schengen, Good otherwise Good BA flights tip arriving passengers into the departure gate. Foolproof. NB LCY flights pax use a bus from a remote stand, still easy as dropped off less than 100M from the departure gate.
KLX: Moderately risky due to boarding passes only being issued at check-in. No buses used normally, walk off plane straight into very small building.
LBA: Good Good Good have to go landside for any connection or b2b but small airport, see here for further details
LCA: Good Good Reasonable There is a "Connecting Flights" channel on the left of the arrivals corridor, half way along, well before passports.
LEI: Moderate to risky: you have to go via landside, and you need the return boarding pass before travel. But it's a small and efficient airport. No buses are used, it's similar to LCY in operation.
LHR T3: Good Good Reasonable Follow connecting flights route, which can be as quick as 11 mins from disembark to through security. No conformance unlike T5.
see here.
LIG: Good to Excellent Good Reasonable See this post for more information
LIS: Good Good Reasonable There is a security check to the right, immediately before and avoiding the passport desks. Risk of bus gates, but still OK.
LIN: Good Good Reasonable to Poor (bus gates)
LPA: Possibly OK if off peak. Some flights are bus gates, but it's a relatively small and efficient airport. OLCI and App check in both work.
LUX: Very Good Good Good Borderline excellent, no known fatalities. Landside route is described here: Airside transfer door described here.
MAD: Very good Good to Reasonable depending on arriving terminal Reasonable See this post for full details.
MAH: Good to excellent, see post number 563.
MAN: Reasonable to Poor Reasonable to Poor Reasonable to Poor
MCT: Excellent - direct transfer route [ ] [ ].
MJV: Good Good Good provided you avoid a peak time More information here.
MLA: Good Good Good This this post and linked blog for details.
MRS: Good Good Good There is a transfer and security point just before going down to passports. Use the phone on the post to ask for it to be opened it for you; however, there is no guarantee that it will and you may have to exit to landside and re-enter through departures security.
MUC: Very good Good but note 2 terminals Good Transfer point after passport, details in this post
MXP: Good - bit of walk to Transfer facility Good Good Thread links here.
NCE: Reasonable Poor Good [There is a direct transfer route by turning into the door way on the right before the slope up to passports]
NCL: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Good Good Arrivals decant into departure hall.
NTE: Good Good Good see this post.
NUE: Impractical unfortunately due to no OLCI, all check in done at the airport
OLB: Excellent Excellent Excellent Arriving into Olbia is via jetty to the departure gate, no passports or security. Note no OLCI via the App, more info here.
ORK: Good, do need to clear passports and security but very small and efficient airport.
ORY: No recommended due to fast turnarounds on LCY services. You have to go fully landside and back in again, via 2 passport checks and a security check.
OPO: Excellent [Look for grey escalator going up] Good (reasonable if Schengen) Reasonable
OTP: Excellent as at April 2019. Poor as of 29 Dec 18, see post #2660 https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30586858-post2660.html.
Excellent - See post #1919 https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29017017-post1919.htmlGood - look for Connection facility on right after leaving aircraft Reasonable Poor (can be Good if all everything works)
OSL: Good on the whole Reasonable Reasonable (See experiences in this post, this post, this post and this post.)
OVD: Not really suitable. This is really an Iberia Express route but leaves T5 under BA code. The aircraft is based in OVD not LHR. Small efficient airport though.
PFO: Good on the whole, but you do need to go landside. However it is a small airport. May not be so good on a busy Saturday during school holidays. Note bus transfers however.
PMO: Airport is currently being rebuilt. Once completed potentially a good option due to airbridge. Departure security is two floors above arrivals (use lift)
PMI: Excellent Excellent Excellent borderline foolproof - you are landed direct into boarding area.
PRG: Excellent ?? ?? For back-to-back the LHR-PRG arrival dumps you right into the main corridor of that pier; walk 100 ft. to security check for the BA boarding lounge and you'll be good to go.
PSA: Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable (not the best location since there are a lot of LCC and you have to reclear security from landside). (August 2018 review and comment)
PUY: Unrealistic, due to the bus transfer process followed by passport control.
RAK: Terrible Unknown See post #1353 below
RHO: Infeasible - no OLCI or App check in, bus transfers from gates. Also airport very busy on Saturday PM and Sunday AM.
RTM: Good Good Good (Reasonable during morning/evening peaks)
SEZ: Excellent, use the Transit desk at the right side of the immigration hall, opposite end to passport control, see this post.
SKG: Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable but note bus transfers on apron.
SOF: Excellent Excellent Reasonable arrivals decant into departure area.
SPU: Reasonable but there is a bus transfer and then landside Reasonable but transfer routes seems to be from Star Alliance Reasonable
STR: Reasonable - stairs from baggage hall back to security. Can't avoid security/passports Reasonable Reasonable Report here.
SVG: Excellent Excellent Excellent borderline foolproof, though only restricted number of flights
SVQ: Reasonable but need to exit landside and go up through departures, security. and passports is by the gate. Compact airport, fast security even if queuing.
SZG: Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable no transfer channel and note bus transfers, but small airport.
TFS: Reasonable but in all cases involves going landside. May be tricky to reclear security in peak holiday season.
TIA: Probably impractical. There is a bus transfer process and passport checks/stamps takes a while (Albania isn't in the EU).
TLL: Very good Good Reasonable see this post.
TLV: At your own risk. There is a transfer route with security on the way to passport control just after the rotunda.
TNG: No transfer or B2B route. Have to pass immigration, customs and security again. Airport is tiny (think 10 flights a day) and B2B is perfectly doable provided no problems at immigration.
TRN: Reasonable to Good Good Reasonable No short cuts to avoid going landside via passports x2 and security, apart from Fast Track security, but a small and efficient airport.
TXL: Good - security takes place in limited area by arriving gate Good Good Security is at gates, if using A gates. NB: Currently, this usually includes LCY flights, which now mostly use A gates like LHR flights.
UIP: Good - very small airport, tarmac walk.
VCE: Very good Good at offpeak times Reasonable See this post for details
VIE: Excellent (BEWARE see: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29579878-post2190.html ) Good Reasonable
VLC: Good Good Reasonable there's no transfer route so you have to go via landside. Departures is straight up from the arrival point. Disagree with the previous two sentences. For me, a direct turnaround from gates 12-14 was possible without going landside. Took less than a minute.
VNO: Excellent Good Reasonable arriving passengers enter departing passenger area. [BA have codeshare and also has TP Run options via AY]
VRN: Good Good Reasonable there's no transfer route so you have to go landside but it's a very small airport and there is Fast Track.
WAW: Good - small connection facility on left after airbridge Good Reasonable
ZAG: Very good Good Reasonable ask to use the International Transfer channel on the left side of the passport hall, you need a boarding pass/App. NOTE: New terminal just opened, so this info needs updating.
ZRH: Generally good but see this post and the replies for more information.
ZTH: Infeasible due to buses and no online check-in possibilities. Somewhat unfortunate given the small airport. No transfer route, you must enter Schengen and go to landside.
Excellent generally means you will leave the aircraft and find yourself in the boarding area for departure. Good suggests that you may have to clear either security and / or passports before reboarding, but it should still be possible.
Two caveats:
A) Sometimes things don't go to plan. E.g. EDI sometimes uses buses, which puts passengers landside and thus needing to reclear security. Ditto HAM.
B) The above needs to be combined with the turnaround time. MXP often has a generous back-to-back time, for example.
.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ing-guide.html
For details of suitable hotels for those doing a last flight/first flight turnaround, please see this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...rt-hotels.html
Order: Back-to-back Transfer Landside Notes
[so Excellent for back to back usually means an easy airside transfer with few risks]
ABZ: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable Reasonable Arrivals decant into departure hall.
ACE: Reasonable if off season, there is a transfer channel just before passports Reasonable Reasonable
AGP: Excellent for Schengen, Risky if not. Schengen - immediate turnaround possible at gate area. Non-Schengen - There is a transit passageway back to airside on the left after passports, but there can be long delays at passports, achievable if you are willing to politely push in the queue.
see here.
ALC: Reasonable if off season, but you do need to go fully airside if non Schengen. Small and efficient airport. Peak time: see here.
ALG: Impractical due to visa and immigration processes. See post 2224.
AMS: Excellent Excellent Poor Arrivals decant into departure hall normally.
ANE: Good - very small airport, tarmac walk. You may want to telephone the airport to let them know since there's no OLCI facility.
ARN: Excellent Good Reasonable (arriving pax should watch for sign to gates 70-82) * see posts 593, 238 & 1298 for more details.
ATH: Reasonable but don't hang about, you need to enter Schengen immigration, then leave Schengen, and a fairly efficient security check. Distances aren't great.
BCN: Good to excellent - bit of a walk - small flight connection facility to the left of passport control, dedicated security but no passports Good if non-Schengen, Reasonable if Schengen Reasonable
BHD: Excellent - use stairs upwards between gates 5 and 6, against flow Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable Reasonable
BIO: Reasonable, does involve going landside but small airport, airbridge rather than bus Reasonable Reasonable
BIQ: Reasonable, involves going through passports to landside, security and passports again, but you need to be off early since passport checks are thorough.
BJV: Not really feasible, there is no online check-in or App facility, you must check in at the gate.
BOD: Reasonable but does involve going landside and back again. However it's a small airport and efficient.
BLL: Good (there is a clear transfer route after passport control to avoid a security check Good Good
BLQ: Good (small airport but you have to go landside) Reasonable Reasonable (bus gates)
BRI: Good (small airport but you have to go landside) Reasonable Reasonable
BSL: Good Good Good (Bit of a walk to landside, but it's not a huge airport. See this post for info).
BRU: Excellent on the transfer route, reasonable if not Reasonable Poor (see comments in post #246, also 64 onwards)
CAG: Reasonable, does involve going landside but small airport, airbridge rather than bus Reasonable Reasonable
CDG: Hopeless
CFU: Near impossible, no OLCI, you must present yourself at check-in. Process involves bus, passports, out to landside, short walk to departures building on right, security and bus. Security is bad on peak days.
CGN: No OLCI, but on some dates it is still possible. See this post for details.
CHQ: Near impossible despite being a small airport, no OLCI so you can only get a boarding pass at the airport, and bus to and from gates.
CMB: Easy to do airside. Arriving and departing pax are not segregated. If you have your return boarding pass, just walk directly from arrival gate to departure gate.
CMF: Generally Good, involves going landside. Best avoid Saturdays, the main changeover day, when security is stretched.
CPH: Excellent Good Reasonable Arrivals decant into departure hall.
CTA: Reasonable, there is a transfer route signed but seems obsolete. However small and efficient airport so still do-able if going via landside.
DBV: Impractical - there's no online check in here, you have to go landside and collect a boarding pass. Otherwise a very small airport.
DUB: Good (if ex-LHR), Reasonable if ex-LCY (quicker plane turnaround) Good if Common Travel Area, otherwise Reasonable Reasonable May require passing security, so Fast Track helps. See this post for a photo guide. (As of June 2017 increased risk due to pax segregation at 200 gates and ongoing building work)
DUS: Excellent Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen Good Arrivals decant into departure gate, though risk of bus to baggage hall.
EDI: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable to Poor Reasonable to Poor Arrivals decant into departure hall normally, risk of bus to baggage hall.
EGC: Impractical. Bergerac has its own check-in system and is currently not on App/OLCI, so boarding passes must be obtained in person, no later than 45 minutes before departure.
FCO: Reasonable (return shuttle to main terminal) Reasonable Reasonable
FDH: Impractical due to delays during ski season - see here.
FLR: Poor due to use of bus transfers and airport layout Poor - no transfer track Reasonable
FNC: Reasonable due to small airport and long turnarounds. You do need to go landside and return to airside. Note high risk of weather related diversions. Bus from aircraft, passports, security, passports, walk to aircraft.
FRA: Reasonable to Poor Poor (particularly if coming off Schengen) Reasonable
FSC: Uncertain - if boarding passes can be issued in advance then it will be an easy landside transfer in a tiny airport. If boarding passes can only be collected in FSC then it's impossible.
FUE: Reasonable if out of the peak season, airbridges used. Have to go via passports landside and security, behind check in. Try Canaries+Families security if desperate.
GIB: Good Good Good Must go landside, bearing right and back up through security. Turnaround can be long. Leave the aircraft early so as to beat the queue at passport arrivals.
GLA: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable Reasonable Arrivals decant into departure hall normally.
GNB: Good Good Good: Walk to/from aircraft. Must go landside, outside and right back into departures. Long turnaround times make this feasible though Saturdays busy.
GOA: Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable
GOT: Excellent Excellent Excellent Borderline foolproof. Arrivals decant into departure hall.
GVA: Excellent Good Good (but can be poor during ski season) Turn left in arrival lane to go back up to departures area.
HAJ: Excellent Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen Good Arrivals decant into departure gate. See posts 1670 and 1671 below.
HAM: Excellent Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen Reasonable Arrivals decant into departure hall, though sometimes bus to baggage hall.
HEL: Good Good Reasonable Incoming passengers can reverse direction just before Schengen passports. If a bus from gate, you will need to rush.
HER: Infeasible. There is no online or App check in, it's a bus transfer and arrivals / departures are in separate buildings.
INN: Good Good Good - you have to go landside, and there is a bus transfer to/from the aircraft, but the airport is very small and highly efficient.
INV: Good to Excellent Good Good - you have to go landside and through security. See here for more info.
IOM: Good Good Good (no flight connections but small airport)
IST: Good (visa not required) Good Poor (also note you may need to buy a visa as a result of going landside). More details in this post.
JER: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Good Good Arrivals decant into departure hall, sometimes you need to double back to the BA lounge.
JMK: Nearly impossible due to clunky arrival processing and use of buses.
JTR: Impossible: bus transfer, slow passports.
KEF: Excellent Excellent if non Schengen, Good otherwise Good BA flights tip arriving passengers into the departure gate. Foolproof. NB LCY flights pax use a bus from a remote stand, still easy as dropped off less than 100M from the departure gate.
KLX: Moderately risky due to boarding passes only being issued at check-in. No buses used normally, walk off plane straight into very small building.
LBA: Good Good Good have to go landside for any connection or b2b but small airport, see here for further details
LCA: Good Good Reasonable There is a "Connecting Flights" channel on the left of the arrivals corridor, half way along, well before passports.
LEI: Moderate to risky: you have to go via landside, and you need the return boarding pass before travel. But it's a small and efficient airport. No buses are used, it's similar to LCY in operation.
LHR T3: Good Good Reasonable Follow connecting flights route, which can be as quick as 11 mins from disembark to through security. No conformance unlike T5.
see here.
LIG: Good to Excellent Good Reasonable See this post for more information
LIS: Good Good Reasonable There is a security check to the right, immediately before and avoiding the passport desks. Risk of bus gates, but still OK.
LIN: Good Good Reasonable to Poor (bus gates)
LPA: Possibly OK if off peak. Some flights are bus gates, but it's a relatively small and efficient airport. OLCI and App check in both work.
LUX: Very Good Good Good Borderline excellent, no known fatalities. Landside route is described here: Airside transfer door described here.
MAD: Very good Good to Reasonable depending on arriving terminal Reasonable See this post for full details.
MAH: Good to excellent, see post number 563.
MAN: Reasonable to Poor Reasonable to Poor Reasonable to Poor
MCT: Excellent - direct transfer route [ ] [ ].
MJV: Good Good Good provided you avoid a peak time More information here.
MLA: Good Good Good This this post and linked blog for details.
MRS: Good Good Good There is a transfer and security point just before going down to passports. Use the phone on the post to ask for it to be opened it for you; however, there is no guarantee that it will and you may have to exit to landside and re-enter through departures security.
MUC: Very good Good but note 2 terminals Good Transfer point after passport, details in this post
MXP: Good - bit of walk to Transfer facility Good Good Thread links here.
NCE: Reasonable Poor Good [There is a direct transfer route by turning into the door way on the right before the slope up to passports]
NCL: Excellent Excellent if domestic, otherwise Good Good Arrivals decant into departure hall.
NTE: Good Good Good see this post.
NUE: Impractical unfortunately due to no OLCI, all check in done at the airport
OLB: Excellent Excellent Excellent Arriving into Olbia is via jetty to the departure gate, no passports or security. Note no OLCI via the App, more info here.
ORK: Good, do need to clear passports and security but very small and efficient airport.
ORY: No recommended due to fast turnarounds on LCY services. You have to go fully landside and back in again, via 2 passport checks and a security check.
OPO: Excellent [Look for grey escalator going up] Good (reasonable if Schengen) Reasonable
OTP: Excellent as at April 2019. Poor as of 29 Dec 18, see post #2660 https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30586858-post2660.html.
Excellent - See post #1919 https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29017017-post1919.htmlGood - look for Connection facility on right after leaving aircraft Reasonable Poor (can be Good if all everything works)
OSL: Good on the whole Reasonable Reasonable (See experiences in this post, this post, this post and this post.)
OVD: Not really suitable. This is really an Iberia Express route but leaves T5 under BA code. The aircraft is based in OVD not LHR. Small efficient airport though.
PFO: Good on the whole, but you do need to go landside. However it is a small airport. May not be so good on a busy Saturday during school holidays. Note bus transfers however.
PMO: Airport is currently being rebuilt. Once completed potentially a good option due to airbridge. Departure security is two floors above arrivals (use lift)
PMI: Excellent Excellent Excellent borderline foolproof - you are landed direct into boarding area.
PRG: Excellent ?? ?? For back-to-back the LHR-PRG arrival dumps you right into the main corridor of that pier; walk 100 ft. to security check for the BA boarding lounge and you'll be good to go.
PSA: Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable (not the best location since there are a lot of LCC and you have to reclear security from landside). (August 2018 review and comment)
PUY: Unrealistic, due to the bus transfer process followed by passport control.
RAK: Terrible Unknown See post #1353 below
RHO: Infeasible - no OLCI or App check in, bus transfers from gates. Also airport very busy on Saturday PM and Sunday AM.
RTM: Good Good Good (Reasonable during morning/evening peaks)
SEZ: Excellent, use the Transit desk at the right side of the immigration hall, opposite end to passport control, see this post.
SKG: Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable but note bus transfers on apron.
SOF: Excellent Excellent Reasonable arrivals decant into departure area.
SPU: Reasonable but there is a bus transfer and then landside Reasonable but transfer routes seems to be from Star Alliance Reasonable
STR: Reasonable - stairs from baggage hall back to security. Can't avoid security/passports Reasonable Reasonable Report here.
SVQ: Reasonable but need to exit landside and go up through departures, security. and passports is by the gate. Compact airport, fast security even if queuing.
SZG: Reasonable Reasonable Reasonable no transfer channel and note bus transfers, but small airport.
TFS: Reasonable but in all cases involves going landside. May be tricky to reclear security in peak holiday season.
TIA: Probably impractical. There is a bus transfer process and passport checks/stamps takes a while (Albania isn't in the EU).
TLL: Very good Good Reasonable see this post.
TLV: At your own risk. There is a transfer route with security on the way to passport control just after the rotunda.
TNG: No transfer or B2B route. Have to pass immigration, customs and security again. Airport is tiny (think 10 flights a day) and B2B is perfectly doable provided no problems at immigration.
TRN: Reasonable to Good Good Reasonable No short cuts to avoid going landside via passports x2 and security, apart from Fast Track security, but a small and efficient airport.
TXL: Good - security takes place in limited area by arriving gate Good Good Security is at gates, if using A gates. NB: Currently, this usually includes LCY flights, which now mostly use A gates like LHR flights.
UIP: Good - very small airport, tarmac walk.
VCE: Very good Good at offpeak times Reasonable See this post for details
VIE: Excellent (BEWARE see: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29579878-post2190.html ) Good Reasonable
VLC: Good Good Reasonable there's no transfer route so you have to go via landside. Departures is straight up from the arrival point. Disagree with the previous two sentences. For me, a direct turnaround from gates 12-14 was possible without going landside. Took less than a minute.
VNO: Excellent Good Reasonable arriving passengers enter departing passenger area. [BA have codeshare and also has TP Run options via AY]
VRN: Good Good Reasonable there's no transfer route so you have to go landside but it's a very small airport and there is Fast Track.
WAW: Good - small connection facility on left after airbridge Good Reasonable
ZAG: Very good Good Reasonable ask to use the International Transfer channel on the left side of the passport hall, you need a boarding pass/App. NOTE: New terminal just opened, so this info needs updating.
ZRH: Generally good but see this post and the replies for more information.
ZTH: Infeasible due to buses and no online check-in possibilities. Somewhat unfortunate given the small airport. No transfer route, you must enter Schengen and go to landside.
Excellent generally means you will leave the aircraft and find yourself in the boarding area for departure. Good suggests that you may have to clear either security and / or passports before reboarding, but it should still be possible.
Two caveats:
A) Sometimes things don't go to plan. E.g. EDI sometimes uses buses, which puts passengers landside and thus needing to reclear security. Ditto HAM.
B) The above needs to be combined with the turnaround time. MXP often has a generous back-to-back time, for example.
.
Back-to-back / Immediate Turnarounds at BA Destinations
Nov 9, 2017, 1:28 pm
#1951
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, ZSL Silver
Posts: 2,552
HAM is quite good, but with a risk of a bus transfer (which will make life tricky rather than impossible). TXL is reasonably good, there are reports that LCY flights are now in the main building due to the empty space left by AB-RIP.
But as you will see upthread and in the wiki, the best places in Germany are DUS and HAJ.
But as you will see upthread and in the wiki, the best places in Germany are DUS and HAJ.
Nov 10, 2017, 12:40 pm
#1952
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
Programs: Hilton HHonors, BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,204
I was just wondering if anyone has had any recent experience of completing a B2B at LUX? Is it still easy peasy? I'm very much hoping so. Thanks in advance all 
Nov 10, 2017, 12:57 pm
#1953
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,836
Basically go through passports - try to be one of the first off, since the passport check process does take a bit longer than one would like. Then through the baggage hall, past the probably unstaffed customs desk, out to landside, bear leftwards towards the car hire desks, and then you will see a long sloping travelator which goes up to departures. When you get to departures, facing the check in desks, go right to the end of the building for security, which outside holiday season will be fairly swift. If you have lounge access it is on the same floor just after security, otherwise it's down again to the duty free shops, the Schengen border and the BA gate. LUX enforces fast track but the channel is sometimes hidden by the queue of people.
Nov 10, 2017, 1:11 pm
#1954
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
Programs: Hilton HHonors, BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,204
There are some experiences almost directly above! It is landside but near enough foolproof and perhaps would allow the briefest of lounge visits too.
Basically go through passports - try to be one of the first off, since the passport check process does take a bit longer than one would like. Then through the baggage hall, past the probably unstaffed customs desk, out to landside, bear leftwards towards the car hire desks, and then you will see a long sloping travelator which goes up to departures. When you get to departures, facing the check in desks, go right to the end of the building for security, which outside holiday season will be fairly swift. If you have lounge access it is on the same floor just after security, otherwise it's down again to the duty free shops, the Schengen border and the BA gate. LUX enforces fast track but the channel is sometimes hidden by the queue of people.
Basically go through passports - try to be one of the first off, since the passport check process does take a bit longer than one would like. Then through the baggage hall, past the probably unstaffed customs desk, out to landside, bear leftwards towards the car hire desks, and then you will see a long sloping travelator which goes up to departures. When you get to departures, facing the check in desks, go right to the end of the building for security, which outside holiday season will be fairly swift. If you have lounge access it is on the same floor just after security, otherwise it's down again to the duty free shops, the Schengen border and the BA gate. LUX enforces fast track but the channel is sometimes hidden by the queue of people.
Nov 11, 2017, 6:44 am
#1955
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 192
2 personal B2B's to report.
1. MAN-AGP Sep 2017 I did a B2B at Malaga (AGP) on a BA flight from Manchester. As it was non schengen it required clearing border control then passing back through it. It was busy and my arriving flight was delayed but I politely requested to push in to the front of both passport queues (Be sure to turn hard left up the stairs after clearing border control inwards which is the connections route).
I had 10 mins to spare.
2. HEL-LHR Nov 2017, I'm currently in Helsinki having done a B2B at LHR T3 aboard a BA coded but finnair A350 flight. Arrived at 9.10am and departed at 10.20am. In reality I disembarked into T3 at exactly 9.10am, went via the transfers route and had cleared secutiry by 9.21 and was sat in the Cathay Lounge by 9.23. This is easily acheivable at T3, perhaps aided by the A350 turnaround time but I'd be confident even on a A320 or 787.
Not true of T5 due to compliance requiring a boarding card scan at least 30 mins prior to flight departure.
1. MAN-AGP Sep 2017 I did a B2B at Malaga (AGP) on a BA flight from Manchester. As it was non schengen it required clearing border control then passing back through it. It was busy and my arriving flight was delayed but I politely requested to push in to the front of both passport queues (Be sure to turn hard left up the stairs after clearing border control inwards which is the connections route).
I had 10 mins to spare.
2. HEL-LHR Nov 2017, I'm currently in Helsinki having done a B2B at LHR T3 aboard a BA coded but finnair A350 flight. Arrived at 9.10am and departed at 10.20am. In reality I disembarked into T3 at exactly 9.10am, went via the transfers route and had cleared secutiry by 9.21 and was sat in the Cathay Lounge by 9.23. This is easily acheivable at T3, perhaps aided by the A350 turnaround time but I'd be confident even on a A320 or 787.
Not true of T5 due to compliance requiring a boarding card scan at least 30 mins prior to flight departure.
Nov 22, 2017, 1:54 pm
#1956
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 323
I'm doing a B2B tomorrow LHR-GVA on BA742 back on BA743 (part of a GVA-MUS trip in W). I upgraded BA743 to CE using Avios and I can't check in online. It says online I need to check in at the airport. Is this going to be a problem?
A little hint of a clue on the app, it says "We need your ticket number before mobile check-in is available.
Is this a case of the ticket not being issued when doing the UUA over the phone? If so I guess it could be fixed by calling them
Failing that, is it possible to get that ticket printed at LHR?
A little hint of a clue on the app, it says "We need your ticket number before mobile check-in is available.
Is this a case of the ticket not being issued when doing the UUA over the phone? If so I guess it could be fixed by calling them
Failing that, is it possible to get that ticket printed at LHR?
Nov 22, 2017, 2:06 pm
#1957
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,836
https://classic.checkmytrip.com/plne...&SITE=XCMTXXNS
There are many threads in this forum as to why this needs to be tracked, but BAEC interventions in particular it may not be resolvable at the airport, and if BAEC are closed / uncontactable at the point of travelling your travel arrangements could be seriously disrupted.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Nov 22, 2017 at 2:11 pm
Nov 22, 2017, 2:10 pm
#1958
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,262
This link is not working c-w-s ?
Nov 22, 2017, 2:11 pm
#1959
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,982
Nov 22, 2017, 2:13 pm
#1960
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,836
Nov 23, 2017, 1:00 am
#1961
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 323
My apologies for sounding like a broken record, but yes, always, always, always, always check your ticket after any amendment. Any airline. If you don't see a ticket number in the email tab here (and/or didn't get the email e-ticket for UuA) you need to call up no earlier but not much later than 48 hours before departure:
https://classic.checkmytrip.com/plne...&SITE=XCMTXXNS
There are many threads in this forum as to why this needs to be tracked, but BAEC interventions in particular it may not be resolvable at the airport, and if BAEC are closed / uncontactable at the point of travelling your travel arrangements could be seriously disrupted.
https://classic.checkmytrip.com/plne...&SITE=XCMTXXNS
There are many threads in this forum as to why this needs to be tracked, but BAEC interventions in particular it may not be resolvable at the airport, and if BAEC are closed / uncontactable at the point of travelling your travel arrangements could be seriously disrupted.
Thanks for the info
Nov 23, 2017, 2:22 am
#1962
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,836
Thanks for reporting back, I'm glad it is sorted. I hope it helps other travellers, not just on B2B, that ticket reissue is important to check after any change, too many things can go wrong here.
Nov 23, 2017, 3:59 am
#1963
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Rewards, BAPP
Posts: 352
ARN b2b
I've just disembarked BA776 at ARN which is my positioning flight before an ex-EU to the US. I am pootling off to HEL later this afternoon after having a wander around the airport (looking for the two Caravelles if they're still here!).
I am also using the positioning flight for a b2b recce for my son as he is doing an ex-EU to LAX in the New Year. Following the dashboard advice and going through passport control etc should be ok but he is on a B767 in Y. This could mean a delay getting through so I looked for the door and buzzer also mentioned on the dashboard page. As I exited the jetway, gate 66, the stairs to passports was ahead and the lift was on the left. There is a door with a keypad and emergency exit green button next to the lift. I am presuming this is NOT the required buzzer? I asked an airport worker, who had just come through it and she said I would have to go through passports. This doesn't make sense as that stops connections.
I gave up and went up the stairs into a passageway towards passport control and lo and behold, about half way along the corridor there was a door and buzzer. It had a "for connections please press and a staff member will be along within five minutes". This was gate 66 but are there different doors/locations depending which gate you arrive at. I presume there are only so many non-Schengen gates.
Overall, I would rate a b2b as very good or excellent, providing you find the door, otherwise, it may be advisable to get to passport control as swiftly as possible if you are unfortunate enough to have no status and/or arriving in Y.
AQ
I am also using the positioning flight for a b2b recce for my son as he is doing an ex-EU to LAX in the New Year. Following the dashboard advice and going through passport control etc should be ok but he is on a B767 in Y. This could mean a delay getting through so I looked for the door and buzzer also mentioned on the dashboard page. As I exited the jetway, gate 66, the stairs to passports was ahead and the lift was on the left. There is a door with a keypad and emergency exit green button next to the lift. I am presuming this is NOT the required buzzer? I asked an airport worker, who had just come through it and she said I would have to go through passports. This doesn't make sense as that stops connections.
I gave up and went up the stairs into a passageway towards passport control and lo and behold, about half way along the corridor there was a door and buzzer. It had a "for connections please press and a staff member will be along within five minutes". This was gate 66 but are there different doors/locations depending which gate you arrive at. I presume there are only so many non-Schengen gates.
Overall, I would rate a b2b as very good or excellent, providing you find the door, otherwise, it may be advisable to get to passport control as swiftly as possible if you are unfortunate enough to have no status and/or arriving in Y.
AQ
Last edited by alwaysquestions; Nov 23, 2017 at 4:00 am Reason: poor spelling!
Nov 24, 2017, 8:30 am
#1964
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 128
WAW
Just thought I'd share my experience of an unprotected transfer at WAW. I came in from DOH and had to pick up bags and check in again. Only had 1:40 between arrival time and departure..
WAW is quite small, so its hard to get lost. Deplaned right at the end. You have to go through passport before collecting luggage, but this wait wasn't too bad (although I was first off). But I only had a short wait at the belt. Landed 11:10, on stand 10:15, through passport 10:25, bags arrive 10:35, at checkin desk (out of baggage collection and straight upstairs) by 10:40, back through security (using fast track which was probably the slowest part). The belts are good as they tell you how long the bags will be.
Given the choice I'd give myself more wiggle room, only had 10 mins in the Bolero lounge (which is after last passport check going out).
Just thought I'd share my experience of an unprotected transfer at WAW. I came in from DOH and had to pick up bags and check in again. Only had 1:40 between arrival time and departure..
WAW is quite small, so its hard to get lost. Deplaned right at the end. You have to go through passport before collecting luggage, but this wait wasn't too bad (although I was first off). But I only had a short wait at the belt. Landed 11:10, on stand 10:15, through passport 10:25, bags arrive 10:35, at checkin desk (out of baggage collection and straight upstairs) by 10:40, back through security (using fast track which was probably the slowest part). The belts are good as they tell you how long the bags will be.
Given the choice I'd give myself more wiggle room, only had 10 mins in the Bolero lounge (which is after last passport check going out).
Nov 24, 2017, 10:46 am
#1965
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 323
I wanted to share my B2B experience to/from GVA last night.
LHR-GVA, absolutely flawless flight, smooth, quick, peaceful. The food in CE is nothing to write home about and I miss the offer of tea/coffee after the main drink but nothing there that I'm fussed about. The cabin crew very very jovial. Flight landed early
Ease of B2B. Ridiculous, down steps, quick toilet stop and up the stairs to departures.
GVA-LHR...Again flawless flight, smooth, quick, departed and landed early....However......
I knew it would be the same cabin crew and was expecting a funny look or comment and sure I got it.
On boarding, two cabin crew at front, "Oh, were you denied entry?", "Are you some kind of spy". I kind of embarrassingly laughed it of and went back to the same seat I vacated merely quarter of an hour ago.
While seated I could hear them gossiping about it, "But he was just on the flight". Joined by a 3rd member now, they were all giggling about it questioning what was going on.
About 5 minutes later, the purser came over and said, "I have to ask....wh wh why???" I explained that I had a great deal to Muscat but only out of Geneva so was worth spending a few hours the evening before to do this. At this time my face was completely red and I questioned how normal this behavior really is.
When it was time for food, the purser came to me and said "I know you only ate half an hour ago but do you want another meal?". Seeing as I had a pretty measly ciabatta on the way out, I took the salad on the way back. Combined they kinda made 1 acceptable meal.
Then midway through the flight I could hear them all giggling and gossiping in the galley, "Yeah, he's flying to Muscat in the morning..."
One final time too, this time they were talking to a man and there were no male cabin crew so was either a passenger or one of the pilots.
So all in all, I was embarrassed. I understand that this is not normal and and although the crew were all jovial and sincere in their bewilderment, I didn't feel proud about it.
I had this before when I was on a LGW-JER-LGW-AMS TP run and there were 2 or 3 others doing exactly the same. The other seemed really unashamed/maybe even proud of what they did whereas I kept my head down and was embarrassed.
How many others feel like me when doing this
Ultimately, I'm willing to take the temporary embarrassment in order to enjoy business class flights at what I class as reasonable prices so I am certainly not going to stop. Normally I have my partner with me to share the embarrassment so its not so bad.
LHR-GVA, absolutely flawless flight, smooth, quick, peaceful. The food in CE is nothing to write home about and I miss the offer of tea/coffee after the main drink but nothing there that I'm fussed about. The cabin crew very very jovial. Flight landed early
Ease of B2B. Ridiculous, down steps, quick toilet stop and up the stairs to departures.
GVA-LHR...Again flawless flight, smooth, quick, departed and landed early....However......
I knew it would be the same cabin crew and was expecting a funny look or comment and sure I got it.
On boarding, two cabin crew at front, "Oh, were you denied entry?", "Are you some kind of spy". I kind of embarrassingly laughed it of and went back to the same seat I vacated merely quarter of an hour ago.
While seated I could hear them gossiping about it, "But he was just on the flight". Joined by a 3rd member now, they were all giggling about it questioning what was going on.
About 5 minutes later, the purser came over and said, "I have to ask....wh wh why???" I explained that I had a great deal to Muscat but only out of Geneva so was worth spending a few hours the evening before to do this. At this time my face was completely red and I questioned how normal this behavior really is.
When it was time for food, the purser came to me and said "I know you only ate half an hour ago but do you want another meal?". Seeing as I had a pretty measly ciabatta on the way out, I took the salad on the way back. Combined they kinda made 1 acceptable meal.
Then midway through the flight I could hear them all giggling and gossiping in the galley, "Yeah, he's flying to Muscat in the morning..."
One final time too, this time they were talking to a man and there were no male cabin crew so was either a passenger or one of the pilots.
So all in all, I was embarrassed. I understand that this is not normal and and although the crew were all jovial and sincere in their bewilderment, I didn't feel proud about it.
I had this before when I was on a LGW-JER-LGW-AMS TP run and there were 2 or 3 others doing exactly the same. The other seemed really unashamed/maybe even proud of what they did whereas I kept my head down and was embarrassed.
How many others feel like me when doing this
Ultimately, I'm willing to take the temporary embarrassment in order to enjoy business class flights at what I class as reasonable prices so I am certainly not going to stop. Normally I have my partner with me to share the embarrassment so its not so bad.