david55

I apologize in advance as I am not a veteran flier and small "bumps" can throw me off.

Our #52 departure today from SEA-LHR is delayed an hour for the delayed incoming aircraft. According to the BA site we will be making up some time on the outbound but it reduces what was a comfortable connection time to 80 minutes. This is a T-5 to T-5 connection on to Athens.

I know I follow the purple connection signs. Do I go through immigration at LHR? And finally what should I be looking for with regards to fast lane security as we are travelling in First.

Globaliser

No, no need for immigration at LHR.

When you disembark at LHR, you will probably be at T5B or T5C (the two satellite buildings). The first thing to do after you enter the building is to look at the screens showing departure information for flights from that satellite to see whether you can clear security there instead of taking the transit to the main building (T5A). There will be no need for fast track security if you do this, although the downside is that you will not have access to the lounges at T5A.

Otherwise, if you are routed to T5A, go to the very far right hand side of the immigration/flight connections hall for access to fast track security.

Of course, there are other clever things you could do in the right circumstances, like deliberately clearing immigration and customs to landside and using one of the standard security channels to get back to airside departures, but maybe this isn't the time for trying to do too much. If you think you're getting critically short of time, ask for help.

rossmacd

80 minutes T5-T5, especially in First, will be no problem at all.

Here's hoping for no further delay

ratypus

bear in mind that even an hour late departure from the US often still becomes "on time" landing into LHR...(and otherwise flights from the US often arrive "early") - you may well not be much more than 15-20 minutes behind your official schedule by the time it's all done


either way, I wouldn't especially worry about 80 minutes for International to International within T5

david55

Studying your directions( thank you!)....what does this mean: taking the transit to the main building (T5A) if in fact my flight to ATHens leaves from T5A.

I found thorough instructions on FT on how to transit from T5B/C to another numbered terminal but not to T5A.

Cymro

"The transit" is not a Ford van; it's a shuttle train that goes from the satellite terminals to the main building. If your flight leaves from T5A then you will need to take that train or take slightly longer by walking the tunnels that run beneath it (they are open to the public but deserted apart from Flyertalkers).

You follow exactly the same path as you would if you were going to leave the airport and stay in London, until you get to the main terminal building (T5A) and then you branch off into flight connections, rather than immigration. As you're not remaining in the UK, your passport isn't checked, but you do have to go through security again.

80 minutes, after delays, is still a comfortable connection.

Can I help you

It's all the same, the train goes from A satellite to B then C and then returns, check the tv screen to see which gate and then follow the signs to to whichever satellite your Athens flight is departing from.
You will probably arrive at the B or C satellite and depart for Athens from the A which as know as the main terminal.

ahmetdouas

Ironically 2 of my last 3 flights out of LHR to ATH departed from B or C gates, but it is still probably not so high a chance.

SWISSBOBBY

If you are delayed there may be nice people from Flight connections to help make sure you get your onward connection.

This was the case from me when arriving on delayed flight from ORD with connection to GVA.

They are identified with purple jackets/hi-viz. They will normally have an iPad with your onward flight number displayed.

They will normally escort you the quickest way to your next flight.

ahmetdouas

I remember on a quick connection onwards to LAX with a connection from T5 to T3 they came to pick up passengers with a golf buggy = )

VIP Service!

rossmacd

Which if you have fast track privileges is exactly the same route. Pretty pointless in my experience.

navylad

Pointless perhaps if your comfortable with the route and are a frequent traveler, essentially if you aren't and you have trouble navigating a difficult airport.

NWIFlyer

The last time this happened to me was on a delayed flight from DUB, connecting to the US. I was long clear of the agent who was trying to offer all the affected passengers Fast Track passes given I was entitled anyway and knew my way around, but if I'd been unfamiliar with the procedure or I was statusless in Y I think I'd have been pleased of the assistance.

I doubt, if the OP ends up with 80 minutes, they'll get any of this - I had about 40-45 minutes to make a T5A to T5C connection. Following a lengthy queue at transit security, I having decided going airside was too great a risk, I just missed a train, semi-jogged through the tunnels and the doors closed less than five minutes after getting on. If I'd had even an hour I'd have popped into the B gates lounge on the way, so I'm confident the OP will be fine even if they need a bit more orientation time.

corporate-wage-slave

Going back to your original message, and going from first principles (I shall reply to your PM separately).

Generally speaking I wouldn't worry too much about T5 to T5 connections. Apart from a security check it isn't too problematic, and every hour hundreds, sometimes thousands of passengers get through the system fairly neatly and without missing their connections. If you do miss a connection, annoying though that can be, then if on one ticket you'll just be rebooked to another service, and that rebooking only takes a few minutes. Believe it or not, most T5 passengers only fly under 4 times a year, so you're not strange in that respect!

In practical terms if you are able to get off your aircraft within 50 minutes of your onward flight then you have a very high chance of making the next flight, and in certain circumstances it can be lower. If you arrive with under an hour to go then yes you need to press on, if you have over an hour you can slow down and go at your own pace. If you aren't an experiences traveller look out for the purple jacketed oneworld express connection staff who will meet you at the end of the airbridge upon arrival from SEA. They will point you in the right direction, issue you with a boarding pass and what not. There is a shortcut they sometimes use too.

You've seen the various comments about Flight Connections, the one thing to remember is follow those purple signs, and it need not be more complicated than that. Sure, if you do land in T5B and ATH is also from there, then there is that short cut you know about upthread. Otherwise, follow the purple signs, yes it may direct you on to a transit, but it's not difficult or complicated.

If you do want to know more then by all means read KARFA's guide in the Forum Dashboard about transferring at T5, but it still boils down to following the purple signs to Flight Connections! Your only main formality is a security check, plus a boarding pass check before that. I gather you and your husband are American citizens, so don't bother with the landside route.

I notice your flight is now due to arrive into LHR at 07:15. If this happens, you should have 20 minutes in the Concorde Room, or a bit longer in the T5B lounge if Athens is going from that terminal building.

And above all.....

Fly_By_Wire

Is OP on one ticket, did I miss that important piece of info?