navylad

AIUI, no more than is currently, if you don't have enough Gold Cards to access the lounge at the moment, but have enough Silver and Gold to use Fast Track security, you would continue to use Fast Track security. You can't use the CCR entrance currently in any case, and so you would be access the lounges in the normal way. I appreciate there is some disappointment amongst silver card holders that they can't use this wing, but that is in keeping with their status that allows them use of Business Class facilities (i.e. Fast Track security and use of the Business Class lounges).

\any news on whether there is a work-around for GGL with more than 1 guest for getting through security?

For connecting pax, it does only add 2 mins on to your route to CCR access (not 4-5 mins given connecting Fast Track doesn't deposit you next to the white door in any case- so it is effectively the time take to walk the distance from teh white doors to the GF entrance plus escalators down and back up). In any case, the white door was not designed for connecting pax either or else Fast Track security would also be next to it, however, it has provided a useful short-cut for connecting pax.

I don't think we can say that BA has messed up the desks at this stage, when these were only trial days. It may be that there is a short period of these desks before the nice ones arrive (and if they are the same of the SIN lounge then they are nice). I don't see the height of the GF wall as an issue either, isn't that just a question of personal taste rather than functionality.

Overall, a good job IMHO.

Lefly

No, connecting passengers do not go through this wing. It's for people starting the trip in LHR.

stu1985

Absolutely not! Have you seen those heels?! Our Theresa would never be seen dead in them - she's more a kitten heel sorta gal.....

PaulJWoodgate

Passed through this morning but no trial today. Oh well, normal security was pretty quiet (quicker than good old Fast Track, hardly a surprise), so got through fairly smoothly anyway.

KARFA

They can do if they go landside which I quite often do when connecting.

Lefly

I knew that I should have specified that part

KARFA

Lol. Just to add I personally would not go landside only so I could use it, but I do sometimes go landside if the UK/DUB connections immigration queue is long when connecting to a DOM/DUB flight, or when arriving from DUB and connecting on to any other T5 flight - so I may use the wing when do that now.

LCSinTexas

I will have time to go landside on my trip 26May, but as I fly DFW-LHR BA F and connect to LHR-CPH BA CW will they let me use TFW? I have a Cabana booked, so I would assume so, but can anyone confirm?

Saltire74

I would doubt very much that I will be using it any time in the near future but am looking forward to the rapid expansion of the DYKWIA thread

S

IrishStephen

How will this work if your traveling with more than one guest as the rules would surely state your only allowed one guest. Previously if traveling with a family in first with you could all checkin at the First Area?

CCayley

Ah, but the key words here were 'if you consider the start and end points'. At present, a First Class passenger or CCR Cardholder arriving at T5 on the HEX, say, would only go anywhere near the new facility (assuming it's next to First check-in) if they had an urgent need for either the physical exercise of a pointless route march or the ego-stroking of using a check-in desk designated as First Class. Sane individuals either use Club World or similar desks that are close to South Security Fast Track or cattle class desks next to North Security Fast Track. In either case the new facility is going to be at best irrelevant (if the existing entrance to the CCR next to South Security stays in use) or will represent an unnecessary extension of the route to the lounge (if that door is closed).

I usually tend to err on the side of 'BA apologist' rather than 'whinges about everything', but if the existing doorway into the CCR is closed then the introduction of "The First Wing" will represent a big improvement for users of the First lounge (aka Gold cardholders) at the expense of CCR cardholders and actual First Class passengers. And since I am usually in the latter not the former category, I would, of course, be upset!

navylad

I wouldn't say a 30 second slow walk ccounts as additional physical exercise, nor something to get upset about.

i suspect they will keep the white door open, monitor its use, if plenary of pax continue to use it either to avoid a 30 second walk, because they can't guest in 2 pax through security (I'm thinking CCR travelling in F) and. T connecting pax, it will stay open.

sebanto2001

Looks really nice.
It should definitely be an improvement for Silvers also. Opening those two lanes for Gold and First Class passenger should decrease the number of persons using North and South Fast Track.
As noted, it will be quite far for persons arriving on the HEx but for Uber and taxis passengers it should become a really pleasant experience.

For connecting passengers with an EU passport it gives another reason to go landisde and stop using Fast Track transit security which I think is the worst Fast Track ever in Heathrow.

TravellerFrequently

Thanks chris1979!

Due to my sudden interest in visiting Estonia, I am not going to be in T5 for a couple of weeks but look forward to trying it during April.

xenole

Perhaps, but it is putting your first class passengers down near the bottom of the list now and a lot of people don't fly F to be second to someone flying on a £40 HBO fare to say AMS.

Assuming the CCR door is closed off, then other than the CCR, that's another F benefit eroded.