Alvador

Thanks for clarifying. I'll hope next time it's third time lucky!

Yes, but in the case of a delayed flight how do I know when T-21 is? The screen in the First lounge didn't show an estimated departure time for the delayed 17.10 flight but initially "Gate information at 17.03" then at 17.03 that changed to "Proceeed to gate".

corporate-wage-slave

LGW has an annoying automated FIDS (or FIBS as I call it). So 17:03 "proceed to gate" means they expect departure at 17:43 (it's hard wired at 40 minutes), so those in the know will appreciate that if you turn up at 17:22 you would still be OK, and it only takes 5 minutes to get to all gates up to gate 23 or so. I suspect they were in fact boarding well after this time. You best check with the BA staff on the lounge desk since they may know a bit more.

woglet86

I had a question about priority boarding for domestic flights at LGW (actually flights with biometrics).

Boarding for Jersey the other day, I waited in the general queue until I could branch off into the priority lane which was to the right hand side of the right of the two podiums.

The agent gave me a "can I help you?" (read: "why are you standing there?"). I explained what I was up to and that I was trying to follow the sign, and he said they weren't doing priority boarding and I should go back into the general queue.

I wondered if that's something to do with the location of the cameras, which I think is referenced in some posts upthread from January? Or something else? Frustrating if they've done away with a priority boarding lane for some flights at LGW.

Any insights appreciated!

corporate-wage-slave

Ryanair also have problems with this at LGW (and have complained to GAL about it).

The usual layout is to have a short-cut filter route and a clear board stating Priority Boarding feeding through to a single GAL operator doing the biometrics. Which seems incredibly, tediously slow. If there is a problem, not all the desk have a telephone so s/he may then need to stop all boarding until the can contact control, but that's off topic. Either way there are usually 2 or 3 BA gate staff waiting for the biometrics, and clearly not working at full speed.

Now out of I guess 20 domestics I have had one experience where there was no Priority Boarding sign - it may have been a late gate change, I recall it was raining heavily - but otherwise if you are Gold you shouldn't have been challenged, it is standard procedure at LGW. If there wasn't the very clear sign in position then I'm afraid you were out of luck on that occasion, but it is another reason for boarding late......

flying_pig

Does anybody know how easy it is from LGW airside/lounges to go back landside (ie: exit the terminal) in case one decides not to fly? I have a rather unusual situation: I have a business trip that, due its nature, might be cancelled at the very last second. Due to time zones and the nature of this particular project there is a remote chance I might only know minutes before boarding... In which case I would offload myself and (very happily) go back home... I know what this entails at LHR but not at LGW. Is it doable or is it a major hassle?

Thanks in advance for any input!

kileysmom

Will be going thru LGW for a flight to TPA in a few weeks. I'm wondering what extra time above the usual 2 hours is needed now that the new US bound security measures are in place. It might be a bit difficult as the plans stand now to arrive much earlier than 2 hours.

Thanks!

ATCOlad

Hi there quick question on a connecting flight. BA inbound from BGI and onto EI to Dub, one ticket and bags hopefully checked through, confirm we can stay airside with security and a immigration check I presume? Will need also to pick up EI boarding cards at a service desk? Have previously always done this from North to South so will be nice to stay in one terminal.

corporate-wage-slave

There is no additional security at the LGW end of any consequence, just a slightly higher chance of an "at the gate" baggage recheck. This entire hoo-haa is about getting the USA to European levels of security thoroughness, not vice versa, bearing in mind the USA isn't as well equipped to do vapour testing. Two hours is - well - way too long in my view, on my FLL service I didn't bother going airside until about 50 minutes to departure, though they tried to catch me out by boarding very early. If checking in luggage, and particularly with status, 90 minutes is generous enough, and you could shave a bit off that too.

corporate-wage-slave

No, you have to pass via landside, since DUB is in the Common Travel Area, and so treated as a domestic transfer. You can use the e-gates, hopefully, to save time. BGI should be able to give the EI boarding passes, but it may be worth trying on the BA.com (one shot only, so make sure your wifi / printer is reliable) at OLCI. Otherwise you'll need to pick up boarding passes landside, but it's not much out of the way, since the arrivals area is one side of Marks and Spencer, and Aer Lingus/departure security is the other side.

kileysmom

CWS, thanks very much for the information! KM

ATCOlad

Cheers CWS. To date we have never been able to get the EI boarding cards in BGI but we have plenty time in LGW to get them and enjoy the BA lounge prior to flight ;-)

linz36

What are the guest restrictions on fast track/premium security?
Would I manage to take 4 guests (all on the same booking) through fast track while travelling in ET? I am o/w Sapphire.

Calchas

I'm not sure if there's a formal rule, but I think that's taking the Mickey.

Usually one or maybe two guests is okay. Just pick your favourites.

corporate-wage-slave

It's formally one guest. You could always upgrade the family to Club.

However the main LGW security is fast and furious. Make sure you have trained all the spousal units and cost centres properly so that they don't have stuff sent to secondary security (liquids and electronics, the usual) and you should be through very quickly. It certainly isn't pretty but I get the distinct impression GAL want you in their shopping paradise as soon as possible.

linz36

Does anyone have a list of BA SH destinations that fly from LGW?

edit:
Nevermind, I found the list: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...atwick-airport - now to translating these into airport codes.

edit2:
that list turned out to be useless, but http://lgw.fltmaps.com/en lets you filter by direct BA flights. A little bit of parsing, and the full flight list seems to be: