First Wing at T5
Sep 24, 2018, 12:18 am
#916
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Central Scotland, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 286
The landside route via F wing is IME not necessarily faster but has more walking and less queuing so I generally prefer it. (This is based on arriving on international flight and connecting to domestic with UK passport.)
Sep 24, 2018, 12:56 am
#917
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
No problem at all. You will have to go to the manned desk as you enter security as the automatic gates won’t recognise you.
The landside route via F wing is IME not necessarily faster but has more walking and less queuing so I generally prefer it. (This is based on arriving on international flight and connecting to domestic with UK passport.)
Mar 5, 2019, 3:58 am
#918
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,624
Short connection to GLA inbound F from IAD. Transit broke down and so had to do walkway. Thought id have more predictable security at First wing.
Asked standing agents at end of Club check-in. They said no, I had to go through standard Security. In fairness when I queried one of them took me through to actual podium entrance, where I was eventually allowed through with some explaining.
Reasonable queues on both sides but made it through and the long walk (run) through GF and along to A gates. Pheeeow.
Asked standing agents at end of Club check-in. They said no, I had to go through standard Security. In fairness when I queried one of them took me through to actual podium entrance, where I was eventually allowed through with some explaining.
Reasonable queues on both sides but made it through and the long walk (run) through GF and along to A gates. Pheeeow.
Mar 6, 2019, 3:07 pm
#919
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 69
Hi, hoping someone can advise.
First F flight with BA, (normally club though have flown F with EK) flying in on a domestic flight the day before staying at th Sofitel T5 and debating if we should get our luggage checked all the way through or pick it up in LHR so the next day we can experience the ‘whole’ First class offerings including checking in at the first wing - or is this just a waste of time and should we just go straight to the Concorde lounge having checked our luggage straight through?
opinions very welcome please and thank you!
First F flight with BA, (normally club though have flown F with EK) flying in on a domestic flight the day before staying at th Sofitel T5 and debating if we should get our luggage checked all the way through or pick it up in LHR so the next day we can experience the ‘whole’ First class offerings including checking in at the first wing - or is this just a waste of time and should we just go straight to the Concorde lounge having checked our luggage straight through?
opinions very welcome please and thank you!
Mar 6, 2019, 3:14 pm
#920
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Hi, hoping someone can advise.
First F flight with BA, (normally club though have flown F with EK) flying in on a domestic flight the day before staying at th Sofitel T5 and debating if we should get our luggage checked all the way through or pick it up in LHR so the next day we can experience the ‘whole’ First class offerings including checking in at the first wing - or is this just a waste of time and should we just go straight to the Concorde lounge having checked our luggage straight through?
opinions very welcome please and thank you!
First F flight with BA, (normally club though have flown F with EK) flying in on a domestic flight the day before staying at th Sofitel T5 and debating if we should get our luggage checked all the way through or pick it up in LHR so the next day we can experience the ‘whole’ First class offerings including checking in at the first wing - or is this just a waste of time and should we just go straight to the Concorde lounge having checked our luggage straight through?
opinions very welcome please and thank you!
1. Arrive the day before your F flight, collect your baggage, go to First Wing the following day, check it in and proceed to the CCR.
2. Arrive the day before your F flight with luggage checked through to your destination. Go to First Wing the following day and proceed to the CCR.
If you are able to check your luggage all the way through and have it stored overnight in LHR and you don't need anything from it during your layover then there is absolutely nothing to be gained from option 1. You will not miss out on anything by going for option number 2.
Perhaps I've misunderstood the question?
Mar 6, 2019, 3:15 pm
#921
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,922
Hi, hoping someone can advise.
First F flight with BA, (normally club though have flown F with EK) flying in on a domestic flight the day before staying at th Sofitel T5 and debating if we should get our luggage checked all the way through or pick it up in LHR so the next day we can experience the ‘whole’ First class offerings including checking in at the first wing - or is this just a waste of time and should we just go straight to the Concorde lounge having checked our luggage straight through?
opinions very welcome please and thank you!
First F flight with BA, (normally club though have flown F with EK) flying in on a domestic flight the day before staying at th Sofitel T5 and debating if we should get our luggage checked all the way through or pick it up in LHR so the next day we can experience the ‘whole’ First class offerings including checking in at the first wing - or is this just a waste of time and should we just go straight to the Concorde lounge having checked our luggage straight through?
opinions very welcome please and thank you!
once through first wing security pass through the galleries first lounge, and across to the CCR.
Mar 7, 2019, 2:55 pm
#922
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 69
If I've understood you right you have two options:
1. Arrive the day before your F flight, collect your baggage, go to First Wing the following day, check it in and proceed to the CCR.
2. Arrive the day before your F flight with luggage checked through to your destination. Go to First Wing the following day and proceed to the CCR.
If you are able to check your luggage all the way through and have it stored overnight in LHR and you don't need anything from it during your layover then there is absolutely nothing to be gained from option 1. You will not miss out on anything by going for option number 2.
Perhaps I've misunderstood the question?
1. Arrive the day before your F flight, collect your baggage, go to First Wing the following day, check it in and proceed to the CCR.
2. Arrive the day before your F flight with luggage checked through to your destination. Go to First Wing the following day and proceed to the CCR.
If you are able to check your luggage all the way through and have it stored overnight in LHR and you don't need anything from it during your layover then there is absolutely nothing to be gained from option 1. You will not miss out on anything by going for option number 2.
Perhaps I've misunderstood the question?
Mar 7, 2019, 2:58 pm
#923
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 69
whether you check your luggage through or not you should go through the first wing for security. The only addition if you had luggage to check would be to use the check in desks in the first wing too - but they are just normal check in desks so I really wouldn’t suggest you collect bags the day before merely to use them.
once through first wing security pass through the galleries first lounge, and across to the CCR.
really looking forward to it!
Mar 7, 2019, 3:01 pm
#924
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Ah ok. The First Wing is just a priority area where you can drop bags, head through security and get plonked straight into the F lounge (for the CCR take the second left, exit the F lounge and just keep going). You can just miss the drop bags bit if you check your luggage through. Have a lovely trip.
Mar 7, 2019, 3:03 pm
#925
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: 63,760
The other option you have is to check in, and get your baggage checked, inside the Sofitel itself, which is a new service. Then stroll over to the First Wing for security.
The main benefits of the First Wing are security and direct access to the lounges. The check-in process itself (including checked baggage) isn't a huge step forward since depending on the time of day even in economy you don't have to do much waiting around in Terminal 5. Any check-in desk will do.
But yes, check your bags in at (presumably) Newcastle if you don't actually need them in London.
The main benefits of the First Wing are security and direct access to the lounges. The check-in process itself (including checked baggage) isn't a huge step forward since depending on the time of day even in economy you don't have to do much waiting around in Terminal 5. Any check-in desk will do.
But yes, check your bags in at (presumably) Newcastle if you don't actually need them in London.
Mar 7, 2019, 4:07 pm
#926
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Mucci: Classe de la Luxe Eternelle
Posts: 816
Once ready, (perhaps after a second cup of that delightful cucumber water) saunter over to a free desk and get a hard copy of your boarding pass from one of the agents. Enjoy the same premium chit chat you would if checking in a bag. At this point you can glide over to the eligibility check before security, having seen, been seen and seen it all!
On your next visit you won't notice much difference between this and regular check-in, so you may as well appreciate it all first time..
Last edited by noFODplease; Mar 7, 2019 at 4:25 pm
Mar 8, 2019, 1:15 pm
#928
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,922
there is a large bag store under T5 precisely for this. If you are on one ticket and have less than 24 hour overnight connection the agent should offer to either check the bag through or let you collect it at LHR and recheck the next day.
Mar 8, 2019, 1:16 pm
#929
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
It should be possible for connections at LHR T5 under 24 hours. I've not done it myself but there are several threads on this forum that reference it.
Mar 8, 2019, 3:06 pm
#930
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,907
Hi,
Never had a problem being offered it at EDI for overnight LHR connections ( I have always asked for it just to be checked to LHR though so that I can access clothes the next day etc)
Regards
TBS