T5 to T3 horrible transfer
Apr 3, 2016, 7:14 am
#46
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ireland/UK
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG PlatAmb, BA ,
Posts: 873
For people with genuine disability the transfer can be extremely frustrating due to the number of able bodied people who use the free service as a way of getting around language problems.
You are normally met of the plane quick enough and transferred to the bus. The problem starts when you get off the bus. There is normally a queue and no clear method of prioritising. It can often take over an hour before a pusher is available. I normally resort to asking if they have a spare wheelchair I can push my wife in.
You are normally met of the plane quick enough and transferred to the bus. The problem starts when you get off the bus. There is normally a queue and no clear method of prioritising. It can often take over an hour before a pusher is available. I normally resort to asking if they have a spare wheelchair I can push my wife in.
Apr 3, 2016, 7:52 am
#47
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
I don't go through LHR as often as most of you. I make an annual LAX-LHR-DUS trip, flying in on AA to T3, then out on BA from T5, then reverse to go back home.
The T3-T5 transfer works OK for me. There's a lot of walking, but no more so than any other busy international airport. I've never had to wait that long for a bus and usually get a place to sit on the bus. The trick is to not be one of the last to board. If the bus looks really crowded, I will let a few people behind me go ahead. Then I'm first to board the next bus and can grab the seat of my choice. I'd rather stand a bit on terra firma than on the moving bus.
The T3-T5 transfer works OK for me. There's a lot of walking, but no more so than any other busy international airport. I've never had to wait that long for a bus and usually get a place to sit on the bus. The trick is to not be one of the last to board. If the bus looks really crowded, I will let a few people behind me go ahead. Then I'm first to board the next bus and can grab the seat of my choice. I'd rather stand a bit on terra firma than on the moving bus.
Apr 3, 2016, 10:19 am
#48
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AUS, GVA, and in between
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 178
For some reason I've found T5-T3 (int'l-int'l) in the last few months to be much more frustrating than the reverse. It's probably the bizarrely long walk from the bus drop off to the FCC now, coupled with having to stop by the new AA desks. For T3-T5 I at least don't feel that silly obstacles are being inserted in my way, even if the bus is a bit slow.
Apr 3, 2016, 11:34 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,668
For some reason I've found T5-T3 (int'l-int'l) in the last few months to be much more frustrating than the reverse. It's probably the bizarrely long walk from the bus drop off to the FCC now, coupled with having to stop by the new AA desks. For T3-T5 I at least don't feel that silly obstacles are being inserted in my way, even if the bus is a bit slow.
Apr 3, 2016, 5:20 pm
#50
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold IHG Plat SAA Voyager Alaska Airlines
Posts: 143
AA Interogation
I had this 2 weeks ago and the only question they did not ask me was -- what did I have for breakfast. Stood in the queue for 40 mins and and pity the people in the non priority section. Will not do a code share again my next flight to CPT is via LGW so not 5 to 3 problem with assistance.Those people who think the 5 to 3 is fine have no real understanding of the problems for those who need genuine assistance.Would rather put up with the lounge problem at LGW than 5 to 3 at LHR
Apr 3, 2016, 6:15 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,228
My experience is that it's frustrating to have to change terminals but that the process isn't too onerous per se. The only issue I've had at T3 was that my GCH status didn't get me Fast Track at security. I was told it was First or Business only. I challenged the agent and was allowed through. Other than that it's been pretty seamless, except for inept passengers not realising you need to push your trays forward on the belt.
Apr 3, 2016, 6:39 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Manchester
Programs: BA GfL, Marriott TfL, Hertz 5*
Posts: 267
My passport had to be scanned 3 times when I boarded and then my Global Entry failed in MIA.
Is this 'long haul desk' the new 'enhancement' that caused the passport re-scan and GE failure ??
(Yes, I know cross-posting !!)
Apr 4, 2016, 3:13 am
#53
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Egham, Surrey, UK
Programs: Mucci Champion des Champions, BAG4L, *A Gold, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz Gold, Avis President
Posts: 3,416
We have a DUB-MIA flight next week in F. Our last experience of the T5-T3 shuffle was awful with a horrendously long queue for a bus and packed so tightly that if we had been cattle there would have been animal rights protesters outside 
We only have 90 minutes from DUB landing to MIA take off so a little concerned. We are going to do a dummy run at lunch time to see if the tube would be a better option. Surely HAL and BA can make this a better experience!
We only have 90 minutes from DUB landing to MIA take off so a little concerned. We are going to do a dummy run at lunch time to see if the tube would be a better option. Surely HAL and BA can make this a better experience!
Apr 4, 2016, 4:45 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
My previous experiences of similar connections doesn't fill me with confidence either and I would much appreciate you posting how it goes (good, bad or otherwise
.
Apr 4, 2016, 6:05 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Just had the experience of Heathrow not making each journey better with a T5 domestic arrival to T3 transfer to pick up a Miami flight. Surely BA could do better than this horrible transfer via more security too, particularly for premium pax.
But even more bizarre was a twitter exchange with @heathrowairport who said all arriving pax had to reclear security, clearly not understanding domestic arrivals do not, or their own internal T5 setup.
There is really no joined up thinking.
But even more bizarre was a twitter exchange with @heathrowairport who said all arriving pax had to reclear security, clearly not understanding domestic arrivals do not, or their own internal T5 setup.
There is really no joined up thinking.
Apr 4, 2016, 6:27 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: LUX
Programs: BAEC Gold, MILLEMIGLIA Freccia Alata, M&M Blue
Posts: 406
I really prefer the T5 to T3 transfers than the T3 to T5 ones. Connecting security at T3 has always been really quick for me (0 to 5 minutes) which is a breeze when you compare it to Fast Track connecting security in T5.
The only thing is the long walks you have to do but that's a really well organised and stressless route compared to connecting in CDG or even worst, JFK!!!
I don't understand how you can call this experience horrible.
The only thing is the long walks you have to do but that's a really well organised and stressless route compared to connecting in CDG or even worst, JFK!!!
I don't understand how you can call this experience horrible.
Apr 4, 2016, 8:01 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Egham, Surrey, UK
Programs: Mucci Champion des Champions, BAG4L, *A Gold, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz Gold, Avis President
Posts: 3,416
I suspect I'm on the same itinerary later this month. When I booked some while ago I forgot that the MIA flights were going to be from T3.
My previous experiences of similar connections doesn't fill me with confidence either and I would much appreciate you posting how it goes (good, bad or otherwise.
My previous experiences of similar connections doesn't fill me with confidence either and I would much appreciate you posting how it goes (good, bad or otherwise
.
Apr 4, 2016, 8:12 am
#58
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: 63,804
I'll certainly let you know how things go next Thursday morning. Just got back from doing a "dummy run" on the underground. T5 Arrivals to T3 Departures was 13 minutes and the reverse journey was 19 minutes (longer wait for tube). Of course that doesn't take into account delays at security and passport control. But our last T5-T3 Flight Connections transfer took over an hour via the bus.
The tube service frequency drops to one every 12 minutes off peak, whereas there is a bus every 6 minutes or so airside. Personally it takes me about 40 minutes airside via the bus (I'd use the e-gates and North Fast Track in the reverse direction) gate to gate, and the tube would take around 50 minutes gate to gate depending on T3 security somewhat. I can see a possible case for using the tube if arriving into T5 domestically, and departing T2 since that's close to the tube station but generally landside won't be quicker for T3.
Apr 6, 2016, 1:36 am
#60
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Mucci, BA, Hilton.
Posts: 1,158
I'll certainly let you know how things go next Thursday morning. Just got back from doing a "dummy run" on the underground. T5 Arrivals to T3 Departures was 13 minutes and the reverse journey was 19 minutes (longer wait for tube). Of course that doesn't take into account delays at security and passport control. But our last T5-T3 Flight Connections transfer took over an hour via the bus.
I am doing the same connection next Thursday as well onto int F.
I suspect we are probably on the 831. One of us can do airside the other the tube. I have a little more time than you so can do either.