Flight now scheduled to arrive at 1am - transport options?
Jul 8, 2014, 7:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London N8
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Flight now scheduled to arrive at 1am - transport options?
My flight's just been delayed/rescheduled and apparently we'll now get back to LHR at 1am tomorrow morning. I've never arrived that late at night/early in the morning at T5, and I wondered what will happen re onward transport.
I am assuming BA won't proactively book us taxis but equally I am not sure given the late arrival whether there will be any/enough black cabs there to transport us all to our destinations. (I am not supposed to be catching an onward flight, I just want to get home!)
Alternatively I can book a room at the Sofitel for Ł285 and just go to work from there tomorrow morning - would I get that reimbursed?
Thanks for your advice
I am assuming BA won't proactively book us taxis but equally I am not sure given the late arrival whether there will be any/enough black cabs there to transport us all to our destinations. (I am not supposed to be catching an onward flight, I just want to get home!)
Alternatively I can book a room at the Sofitel for Ł285 and just go to work from there tomorrow morning - would I get that reimbursed?
Thanks for your advice
Jul 8, 2014, 7:58 am
#3
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There's always night bus N9 every 20 minutes or so from T5 to various places in London, or connecting with other night buses at Trafalgar Square.
http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/N009.htm
Disclaimer: I've never taken this bus so would find it difficult to recommend it.
http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/N009.htm
Disclaimer: I've never taken this bus so would find it difficult to recommend it.
Jul 8, 2014, 8:08 am
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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I have used the Night Bus, going to a West London hotel. It took a lot less time than daytime public transport, thanks to the empty streets, something like 30 minutes or so. The bus wasn't full by any means.
BA will generally pay taxi fares in this situation. They may try not to pay all of it, there are some caps, but nothing that a phone call won't sort out. The taxi drivers ensure there are taxis present at T5 through the night, or you could pre book a car, which reduces the risk of hitting BA's cap on taxi costs.
BA will generally pay taxi fares in this situation. They may try not to pay all of it, there are some caps, but nothing that a phone call won't sort out. The taxi drivers ensure there are taxis present at T5 through the night, or you could pre book a car, which reduces the risk of hitting BA's cap on taxi costs.
Jul 8, 2014, 8:33 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 644
Book something (via Kabbee perhaps) and make a point of how you've been proactive and tried to reduce BA's costs (vs a black cab) - and they'll very quickly reimburse you.
I've done this, and similar (told them how I moved from a $$$$ hotel to a $$$ hotel during IRROPS to lessen their bill to me) - and have gotten thanks, reimbursed promptly and sometimes a few cheeky haribos too!
Nobody should have to sit on a night bus due to a flight being late. Horrendous.
I've done this, and similar (told them how I moved from a $$$$ hotel to a $$$ hotel during IRROPS to lessen their bill to me) - and have gotten thanks, reimbursed promptly and sometimes a few cheeky haribos too!
Nobody should have to sit on a night bus due to a flight being late. Horrendous.
Jul 8, 2014, 8:45 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
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This is post LHR curfew hours where the airport normally shuts down.
In your position, my main worry would be the availability of immigration officers to let you into the UK and the availability of baggage handlers to off-load your bags. Both may take awhile adding to the costs and concerns about pre-booking a transfer into London
In your position, my main worry would be the availability of immigration officers to let you into the UK and the availability of baggage handlers to off-load your bags. Both may take awhile adding to the costs and concerns about pre-booking a transfer into London
Jul 8, 2014, 9:08 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 212
This is post LHR curfew hours where the airport normally shuts down.
In your position, my main worry would be the availability of immigration officers to let you into the UK and the availability of baggage handlers to off-load your bags. Both may take awhile adding to the costs and concerns about pre-booking a transfer into London
In your position, my main worry would be the availability of immigration officers to let you into the UK and the availability of baggage handlers to off-load your bags. Both may take awhile adding to the costs and concerns about pre-booking a transfer into London
Jul 8, 2014, 9:13 am
#10
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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Why not pre-book something? Black cabs are horribly uncomfortable for a long ride anyway, and at after 1 am there may not be many black cabs around (and with other passengers without transport option). You'd be much better off with pre-booked service, of which there are numerous.
Jul 8, 2014, 9:27 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: London
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Posts: 1,345
Another vote for a pre-booked taxi, particularly if BA will reimburse this. I use one whose name begins with 247 and they've always been reliable. You can book online as long as it's more than 3 hours in advance.
Jul 8, 2014, 9:54 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 846
I would pre book a cab through LHR Cabs or SkyCabs, which are both very reasonably priced, get a receipt and claim it back through your travel insurance if you have cover or BA. But it all depends how late you are I guess.
There is no way they would re imburse GBP 285 for a hotel for a delay, and why should they, quite frankly. What was your originally planned arrival time?
There is no way they would re imburse GBP 285 for a hotel for a delay, and why should they, quite frankly. What was your originally planned arrival time?
Jul 8, 2014, 9:58 am
#14
Original Poster
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Thanks all, we're due to leave in a couple of hours so I'll give it a bit then book a car service. I have a feeling we may get cancelled or put back again so we become an overnight flight (I am at JFK)