Apr 7, 2019, 7:48 am
Last edit by: Prospero
This community maintained wiki lists out all known airports on the BA network grading each airport in terms of its practical suitability for quick flight transfers. Three transfer categories are considered (and indicated as traffic lights from left to right in the following order)
Back to back: Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on the same aircraft that operated the inbound flight
Transfer: Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on a different aircraft (or airline) to the one that operated the inbound flight
Landside: Full arrival and departure sequence. It is assumed check-in for the onward flight is processed prior to the arrival at the airport.
Grading:
☻ Excellent generally means you will leave the aircraft and find yourself in the boarding area for departure.
☻ Good suggests that you may have to clear either security and/or passports before reboarding, but it should still be possible.
☻ Reasonable: suggests possible but with risks attached
☻ Poor: high risk and not advisable
☻ Ungraded
Two caveats:
A) Sometimes things don't go to plan. E.g. EDI sometimes uses buses, which puts passengers landside and thus needing to reclear security. Ditto HAM.
B) The above needs to be combined with the turnaround time. MXP often has a generous back-to-back time, for example.
ABZ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals decant into departure hall
ACE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable (if off season, there is a transfer channel just before passports); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
AGP: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent for Schengen, Risky if not. Schengen - immediate turnaround possible at gate area. Non-Schengen - there is a transit passageway back to airside on the left after passports, but there can be long delays at passports, achievable if you are willing to politely push in the queue. see here.
ALC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable if off season, but you do need to go fully airside if non Schengen. Small and efficient airport. Peak time: see here
ALG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical due to visa and immigration processes.
AMS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Poor. Arrivals decant into departure hall normally
ANE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good - very small airport, tarmac walk. You may want to telephone the airport to let them know since there's no OLCI facility.
ARN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable (arriving pax should watch for sign to gates 70-82) * see posts 593, 238 & 1298 for more details. Post 174 is a pictorial guide.
ATH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but don't hang about, you need to enter Schengen immigration, then leave Schengen, and a fairly efficient security check. Distances aren't great.
BCN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good to excellent (bit of a walk, small flight connection facility to the left of passport control, dedicated security but no passports; Transfer: Good (if non-Schengen), Reasonable (if Schengen); Landside: Reasonable
BEG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good: Landside: Good. There is a transfer route, at the end of the long corridor used by arriving passengers. BA does OLCI and App boarding passes. Just a bit of a hike.
BER: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good: Landside: Reasonable to Poor. Not much transfer traffic here so no queues for transit security when doing B2B - bit of a walk though. Note you can't access the lounge if doing B2B.
BGY: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable to Poor; Transfer: Reasonable to Poor: Landside: Reasonable to Poor. More details, click here.
BHD: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent (use stairs upwards between gates 5 and 6, against flow); Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
BIO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable, does involve going landside but small airport, airbridge rather than bus; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
BIQ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable, involves going through passports to landside, security and passports again, but you need to be off early since passport checks are thorough.
BJV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not really feasible, there is no online check-in or App facility, you must check in at the gate. More details click here.
BOD: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but does involve going landside and back again. However it's a small airport and efficient.
BLL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (there is a clear transfer route after passport control to avoid a security check; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good
BLQ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (small airport but you have to go landside); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable (bus gates)
BRI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (small airport but you have to go landside); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
BSL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back:: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (Bit of a walk to landside, but it's not a huge airport. See this post for info)
BRU: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent on the transfer route, reasonable if not; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Poor (see comments in post #246 , also 64 onwards)
BUD: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good. Airside transfer with quiet security channel (might need to ask staff to open it for you). More details here: BUD Back-to-back?
CAG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable, does involve going landside but small airport, airbridge rather than bus; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
CDG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Terminal 2A closed from Jan 2023 and BA now at 2D (confusingly 2B is closed but flights still go from the B gates - check in is in 2D). No airside transfer so out through immigration (long queue if on UK passport) and back in again through security (long queue unless you have fast track). Then immigration again. Sometimes busses from/to a remote stand can make it even worse.
CFU: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Near impossible, no OLCI, you must present yourself at check-in. Process involves bus, passports, out to landside, short walk to departures building on right, security and bus. Security is bad on peak days
CGN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: No OLCI, but on some dates it is still possible. See this post for details.
CHQ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Near impossible despite being a small airport, no OLCI so you can only get a boarding pass at the airport, and bus to and from gates
CMB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent. Easy to do airside. Arriving and departing pax are not segregated. If you have your return boarding pass, just walk directly from arrival gate to departure gate.
CMF: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Generally Good, involves going landside. Best avoid Saturdays, the main changeover day, when security is stretched.
CPH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals decant into departure hall
CTA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable, there is a transfer route signed but seems obsolete. However small and efficient airport so still do-able if going via landside
DBV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical. There's no online check in so you have to go landside and collect a boarding pass. Otherwise a very small airport
DUB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable if arriving on BA, Good if arriving on EI departing on BA, Excellent if arriving and departing on EI. Transfer: Excellent if arriving and departing on EI, otherwise Good. Landside: Reasonable. BA arrives into terminal 1, there is no transfer route and you will have to clear passports and security. There can be a lot of walking and a back to back BA to BA is quite risky without Fast Track. If your arriving flight is EI metal it will land at terminal 2 and you will usually go through a dedicated (and dead) passport check and no security. The terminals are connected airside. See this post for a slightly dated photo guide.
DUS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen; Landside: Good. Arrivals decant into departure gate, though risk of bus to baggage hall
EDI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable to Poor; Landside: Reasonable to Poor. Arrivals decant into departure hall normally, risk of bus to baggage hall
EFL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: High risk on a Tuesday as only one flight, passport control is slow and turnaround time is approximately 50 minutes. OLCI is possible. Saturdays are possible if arriving on the early flight and leaving on the later flight. New terminal building is complete and fully operational, no buses involved, walk to terminal. Leave baggage hall via stairs, after the exit turn right and walk back towards check-in. Security is between arrivals and check-in. Exit the building and walk up the hill to Icarus for a coffee or snack or indeed a swim between flights. No lounge. UK flights now seem to be leaving from gates 1 & 2 which requires re-clearance of passport control after security. Only a vending machine and bare bones duty free shop.
EGC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical. Bergerac has its own check-in system and is currently not on App/OLCI, so boarding passes must be obtained in person, no later than 45 minutes before departure
EXT: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not possible. Airport check-in only (check-in can't be done elsewhere due to FLY not being implemented). No airside transfer either.
FCO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable (return shuttle to main terminal); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable (Possibly excellent as of Jul 22 - see post #1092)
FDH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical due to delays during ski season - see here.
FLR: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Poor due to use of bus transfers and airport layout; Transfer: Poor (no transfer track}; Landside: Reasonable
FNC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable due to small airport. You do need to go landside and return to airside. Bus from aircraft, passports, security, passports, walk to aircraft. Note: high risk of weather related diversions.
FRA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable to Poor; Transfer: Poor (particularly if coming off Schengen); Landside: Reasonable
FSC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Uncertain - if boarding passes can be issued in advance then it will be an easy landside transfer in a tiny airport. If boarding passes can only be collected in FSC then it's impossible.
FUE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable if out of the peak season, airbridges used. Have to go via passports landside and security, behind check in. Try Canaries+Families security if desperate.
GCI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Infeasible. There is no online or App check in, check-in can't be done in LCY or elsewhere due to FLY not implemented in Guernsey. No airside transfer either.
GIB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Must go landside, bearing right and back up through security. Turnaround can be long. Leave the aircraft early so as to beat the queue at passport arrivals.
GLA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals decant into departure hall normally.
GNB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good: Walk to/from aircraft. Must go landside, outside and right back into departures. Long turnaround times make this feasible though Saturdays busy.
GOA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
GOT: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Excellent. Borderline foolproof. Arrivals decant into departure hall.
GVA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (but can be poor during ski season). Turn left in arrival lane to go back up to departures area.
HAJ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen; Landside: Good. Arrivals decant into departure gate. See posts 1670 and 1671 below.
HAM: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very Good to Excellent - transfer security check (not busy, before immigration) then immediately back into the departures area; Transfer: Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals and departures are now separated, and very occasionally bus to baggage hall.
HEL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good: Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. Incoming passengers can reverse direction just before Schengen passports. If a bus from gate, you will need to rush.
HER: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Infeasible. There is no online or App check in, it's a bus transfer and arrivals / departures are in separate buildings.
INN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. You have to go landside, and there is a bus transfer to/from the aircraft, but the airport is very small and highly efficient.
INV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good to Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. You have to go landside and through security. See here for more info.
IOM: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (no flight connections but small airport)
IST: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Poor ( Would lose 15-20 minutes if lanside option is preferred )
JER: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Good; Landside: Good. Arrivals decant into departure hall, sometimes you need to double back to the BA lounge.
JMK: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Nearly impossible due to clunky arrival processing and use of buses.
JTR: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impossible: bus transfer, slow passports.
KEF: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if non Schengen, Good otherwise; Landside: Good. BA flights tip arriving passengers into the departure gate. Foolproof. NB LCY flights pax use a bus from a remote stand, still easy as dropped off less than 100M from the departure gate.
KLX: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Moderately risky due to boarding passes only being issued at check-in. No buses used normally, walk off plane straight into very small building.
KRK: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Nearly impossible due to clunky arrival processing and use of buses.
LBA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Have to go landside for any connection or b2b but small airport, see here for further details
LCA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. There is a "Connecting Flights" channel on the left of the arrivals corridor, half way along, well before passports.
LEI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Moderate to risky: you have to go via landside, and you need the return boarding pass before travel. But it's a small and efficient airport. No buses are used, it's similar to LCY in operation.
LHR T3: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. Follow connecting flights route, which can be as quick as 11 mins from disembark to through security. No conformance unlike T5. see here.
LIG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good to Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. See this post for more information
LIS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. There is a security check to the right, immediately before and avoiding the passport desks. Risk of bus gates, but still OK.
LIN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not a good place due to bus transfer and needing to go fully landside; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable to Poor (bus gates)
LPA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Possibly OK if off peak. Some flights are bus gates, but it's a relatively small and efficient airport. OLCI and App check in both work.
LUX: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Landside route is described here: Airside transfer door described here.
MAD T4: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very good; Transfer: Good to Reasonable depending on arriving terminal. Landside: Reasonable See this post for full details.
MAH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good to excellent, see post number 563.
MAN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable to Poor; Transfer: Reasonable to Poor: Landside: Reasonable to Poor
MCT: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent - direct transfer route
MJV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good provided you avoid a peak time More information here. (Murcia San Javier airport closed in Jan 2019 and was replaced by RMU)
MLA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. See this post and linked blog for details.
MRS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. There is a transfer and security point just before going down to passports. Use the phone on the post to ask for it to be opened it for you; however, there is no guarantee that it will and you may have to exit to landside and re-enter through departures security.
MUC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very good; Transfer: Good but note 2 terminals; Landside: Good. Transfer point after passport, details in this post
MXP: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (bit of walk to Transfer facility); Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Thread links here.
NCE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Poor; Landside: Good. There is a direct transfer route by turning into the door way on the right before the slope up to passports
NCL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Good; Landside: Good. Arrivals decant into departure hall.
NQY: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (no flight connections but small airport). See post 475 for more information.
NTE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. see this post.
NUE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical unfortunately due to no OLCI, all check in done at the airport
OLB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Excellent. Arriving into Olbia is via jetty to the departure gate, no passports or security. Note no OLCI via the App, more info here.
ORK: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good, do need to clear passports and security but very small and efficient airport.
ORY: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not recommended due to fast turnarounds on LCY services. You have to go fully landside and back in again, via 2 passport checks and a security check.
OPO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent (Look for grey escalator going up); Transfer: Good (reasonable if Schengen); Landside: Reasonable
OTP: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good as at April 2019. Poor as of 29 Dec 18; Transfer: Excellent (See post #1919); Landside: Good to Reasonable. Arrival experience and speed of transit depends on arrival gate. On some arrivals, there is a Connection facility on the right at Passport Control after leaving aircraft although sometimes it is up some stairs and on the left. If this is the case, you need to go to the top of the stairs to see a passport official / go to passport desk (to explain you have arrived from London and are going straight back to London - likely resulting in a confused look on the officer's face) before returning half way down the stairs to go through security.
OSL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good on the whole; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. (See experiences in this post, this post, this post and this post.)
OVD: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not really suitable. This is really an Iberia Express route but leaves T5 under BA code. The aircraft is based in OVD not LHR. Small efficient airport though.
PFO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good on the whole, but you do need to go landside. However it is a small airport. May not be so good on a busy Saturday during school holidays. Note bus transfers however.
PMO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Airport is currently being rebuilt. Once completed potentially a good option due to airbridge. Departure security is two floors above arrivals (use lift)
PMI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Excellent. Borderline foolproof - you are landed direct into boarding area
PRG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Ungraded; Landside: Ungraded. For back-to-back the LHR-PRG arrival dumps you right into the main corridor of that pier; walk 100 ft. to security check for the BA boarding lounge and you'll be good to go.
PRN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Possible but not recommended, see post 557.
PSA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable (not the best location since there are a lot of LCC and you have to reclear security from landside). (August 2018 review and comment)
PUY: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Unrealistic, due to the bus transfer process followed by passport control.
RAK: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Terrible; Transfer: Ungraded; Landside: Ungraded. See post #1353 below
RHO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Infeasible - no OLCI or App check in, bus transfers from gates. Also airport very busy on Saturday PM and Sunday AM.
RTM: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (Reasonable during morning/evening peaks)
SEZ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent. Use the Transit desk at the right side of the immigration hall, opposite end to passport control, see this post.
SKG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. Note bus transfers on apron.
SOF: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals decant into departure area.
SPU: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but there is a bus transfer and then landside; Transfer: Reasonable but transfer routes seems to be from Star Alliance; Landside: Reasonable
STR: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable (stairs from baggage hall back to security. Can't avoid security/passports); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. Report here.
SVG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Excellent. Borderline foolproof, though only restricted number of flights
SVQ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but need to exit landside and go up through departures, security. and passports is by the gate. Compact airport, fast security even if queuing.
SZG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. No transfer channel and note bus transfers, but small airport.
TFS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but in all cases involves going landside. May be tricky to reclear security in peak holiday season.
TIA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Probably impractical. There is a bus transfer process and passport checks/stamps takes a while (Albania isn't in the EU).
TLL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. see this post.
TLV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: At your own risk. There is a transfer route with security on the way to passport control just after the rotunda.
TNG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: No transfer or B2B route. Have to pass immigration, customs and security again. Airport is tiny (think 10 flights a day) and B2B is perfectly doable provided no problems at immigration.
TRN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable to Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. No short cuts to avoid going landside via passports x2 and security, apart from Fast Track security, but a small and efficient airport.
TXL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (security takes place in limited area by arriving gate); Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Security is at gates, if using A gates. NB: Currently, this usually includes LCY flights, which now mostly use A gates like LHR flights. TXL Closed in November 2020, replaced by BER.
UIP: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good - very small airport, tarmac walk.
VCE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very good; Transfer: Good at off-peak times; Landside: Reasonable. See this post for details
VIE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent (BEWARE: see here); Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable
VLC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. There's no transfer route so you have to go via landside. Departures is straight up from the arrival point. Disagree with the previous two sentences. For me, a direct turnaround from gates 12-14 was possible without going landside. Took less than a minute.
VNO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. Arriving passengers enter departing passenger area. [BA have codeshare and also has TP Run options via AY]
VRN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. There's no transfer route so you have to go landside but it's a very small airport and there is Fast Track.
WAW: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (small connection facility on left after airbridge); Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable
ZAG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (must re-clear security--this is effectively an international transfer); Transfer: Good (must re-clear security [there are separate transfers for international to international near east end of a/p and international to domestic with passport control near west end of a/p] but airport is small); Landside: Reasonable (must clear passport control, go downstairs through baggage claim to exit, outside and upstairs to check-in, upstairs again to the top floor for security and passport control and then back downstairs to the gate level.
ZRH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Generally good but see this post and the replies for more information.
ZTH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Infeasible due to buses and no online check-in possibilities. Somewhat unfortunate given the small airport. No transfer route, you must enter Schengen and go to landside.
Back to back: Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on the same aircraft that operated the inbound flight
Transfer: Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on a different aircraft (or airline) to the one that operated the inbound flight
Landside: Full arrival and departure sequence. It is assumed check-in for the onward flight is processed prior to the arrival at the airport.
Grading:
☻ Excellent generally means you will leave the aircraft and find yourself in the boarding area for departure.
☻ Good suggests that you may have to clear either security and/or passports before reboarding, but it should still be possible.
☻ Reasonable: suggests possible but with risks attached
☻ Poor: high risk and not advisable
☻ Ungraded
Two caveats:
A) Sometimes things don't go to plan. E.g. EDI sometimes uses buses, which puts passengers landside and thus needing to reclear security. Ditto HAM.
B) The above needs to be combined with the turnaround time. MXP often has a generous back-to-back time, for example.
ABZ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals decant into departure hall
ACE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable (if off season, there is a transfer channel just before passports); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
AGP: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent for Schengen, Risky if not. Schengen - immediate turnaround possible at gate area. Non-Schengen - there is a transit passageway back to airside on the left after passports, but there can be long delays at passports, achievable if you are willing to politely push in the queue. see here.
ALC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable if off season, but you do need to go fully airside if non Schengen. Small and efficient airport. Peak time: see here
ALG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical due to visa and immigration processes.
AMS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Poor. Arrivals decant into departure hall normally
ANE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good - very small airport, tarmac walk. You may want to telephone the airport to let them know since there's no OLCI facility.
ARN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable (arriving pax should watch for sign to gates 70-82) * see posts 593, 238 & 1298 for more details. Post 174 is a pictorial guide.
ATH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but don't hang about, you need to enter Schengen immigration, then leave Schengen, and a fairly efficient security check. Distances aren't great.
BCN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good to excellent (bit of a walk, small flight connection facility to the left of passport control, dedicated security but no passports; Transfer: Good (if non-Schengen), Reasonable (if Schengen); Landside: Reasonable
BEG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good: Landside: Good. There is a transfer route, at the end of the long corridor used by arriving passengers. BA does OLCI and App boarding passes. Just a bit of a hike.
BER: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good: Landside: Reasonable to Poor. Not much transfer traffic here so no queues for transit security when doing B2B - bit of a walk though. Note you can't access the lounge if doing B2B.
BGY: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable to Poor; Transfer: Reasonable to Poor: Landside: Reasonable to Poor. More details, click here.
BHD: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent (use stairs upwards between gates 5 and 6, against flow); Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
BIO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable, does involve going landside but small airport, airbridge rather than bus; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
BIQ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable, involves going through passports to landside, security and passports again, but you need to be off early since passport checks are thorough.
BJV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not really feasible, there is no online check-in or App facility, you must check in at the gate. More details click here.
BOD: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but does involve going landside and back again. However it's a small airport and efficient.
BLL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (there is a clear transfer route after passport control to avoid a security check; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good
BLQ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (small airport but you have to go landside); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable (bus gates)
BRI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (small airport but you have to go landside); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
BSL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back:: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (Bit of a walk to landside, but it's not a huge airport. See this post for info)
BRU: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent on the transfer route, reasonable if not; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Poor (see comments in post #246 , also 64 onwards)
BUD: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good. Airside transfer with quiet security channel (might need to ask staff to open it for you). More details here: BUD Back-to-back?
CAG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable, does involve going landside but small airport, airbridge rather than bus; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
CDG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Terminal 2A closed from Jan 2023 and BA now at 2D (confusingly 2B is closed but flights still go from the B gates - check in is in 2D). No airside transfer so out through immigration (long queue if on UK passport) and back in again through security (long queue unless you have fast track). Then immigration again. Sometimes busses from/to a remote stand can make it even worse.
CFU: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Near impossible, no OLCI, you must present yourself at check-in. Process involves bus, passports, out to landside, short walk to departures building on right, security and bus. Security is bad on peak days
CGN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: No OLCI, but on some dates it is still possible. See this post for details.
CHQ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Near impossible despite being a small airport, no OLCI so you can only get a boarding pass at the airport, and bus to and from gates
CMB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent. Easy to do airside. Arriving and departing pax are not segregated. If you have your return boarding pass, just walk directly from arrival gate to departure gate.
CMF: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Generally Good, involves going landside. Best avoid Saturdays, the main changeover day, when security is stretched.
CPH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals decant into departure hall
CTA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable, there is a transfer route signed but seems obsolete. However small and efficient airport so still do-able if going via landside
DBV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical. There's no online check in so you have to go landside and collect a boarding pass. Otherwise a very small airport
DUB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable if arriving on BA, Good if arriving on EI departing on BA, Excellent if arriving and departing on EI. Transfer: Excellent if arriving and departing on EI, otherwise Good. Landside: Reasonable. BA arrives into terminal 1, there is no transfer route and you will have to clear passports and security. There can be a lot of walking and a back to back BA to BA is quite risky without Fast Track. If your arriving flight is EI metal it will land at terminal 2 and you will usually go through a dedicated (and dead) passport check and no security. The terminals are connected airside. See this post for a slightly dated photo guide.
DUS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen; Landside: Good. Arrivals decant into departure gate, though risk of bus to baggage hall
EDI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable to Poor; Landside: Reasonable to Poor. Arrivals decant into departure hall normally, risk of bus to baggage hall
EFL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: High risk on a Tuesday as only one flight, passport control is slow and turnaround time is approximately 50 minutes. OLCI is possible. Saturdays are possible if arriving on the early flight and leaving on the later flight. New terminal building is complete and fully operational, no buses involved, walk to terminal. Leave baggage hall via stairs, after the exit turn right and walk back towards check-in. Security is between arrivals and check-in. Exit the building and walk up the hill to Icarus for a coffee or snack or indeed a swim between flights. No lounge. UK flights now seem to be leaving from gates 1 & 2 which requires re-clearance of passport control after security. Only a vending machine and bare bones duty free shop.
EGC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical. Bergerac has its own check-in system and is currently not on App/OLCI, so boarding passes must be obtained in person, no later than 45 minutes before departure
EXT: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not possible. Airport check-in only (check-in can't be done elsewhere due to FLY not being implemented). No airside transfer either.
FCO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable (return shuttle to main terminal); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable (Possibly excellent as of Jul 22 - see post #1092)
FDH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical due to delays during ski season - see here.
FLR: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Poor due to use of bus transfers and airport layout; Transfer: Poor (no transfer track}; Landside: Reasonable
FNC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable due to small airport. You do need to go landside and return to airside. Bus from aircraft, passports, security, passports, walk to aircraft. Note: high risk of weather related diversions.
FRA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable to Poor; Transfer: Poor (particularly if coming off Schengen); Landside: Reasonable
FSC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Uncertain - if boarding passes can be issued in advance then it will be an easy landside transfer in a tiny airport. If boarding passes can only be collected in FSC then it's impossible.
FUE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable if out of the peak season, airbridges used. Have to go via passports landside and security, behind check in. Try Canaries+Families security if desperate.
GCI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Infeasible. There is no online or App check in, check-in can't be done in LCY or elsewhere due to FLY not implemented in Guernsey. No airside transfer either.
GIB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Must go landside, bearing right and back up through security. Turnaround can be long. Leave the aircraft early so as to beat the queue at passport arrivals.
GLA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals decant into departure hall normally.
GNB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good: Walk to/from aircraft. Must go landside, outside and right back into departures. Long turnaround times make this feasible though Saturdays busy.
GOA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
GOT: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Excellent. Borderline foolproof. Arrivals decant into departure hall.
GVA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (but can be poor during ski season). Turn left in arrival lane to go back up to departures area.
HAJ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen; Landside: Good. Arrivals decant into departure gate. See posts 1670 and 1671 below.
HAM: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very Good to Excellent - transfer security check (not busy, before immigration) then immediately back into the departures area; Transfer: Excellent if non-Schengen, Good if Schengen; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals and departures are now separated, and very occasionally bus to baggage hall.
HEL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good: Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. Incoming passengers can reverse direction just before Schengen passports. If a bus from gate, you will need to rush.
HER: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Infeasible. There is no online or App check in, it's a bus transfer and arrivals / departures are in separate buildings.
INN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. You have to go landside, and there is a bus transfer to/from the aircraft, but the airport is very small and highly efficient.
INV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good to Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. You have to go landside and through security. See here for more info.
IOM: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (no flight connections but small airport)
IST: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Poor ( Would lose 15-20 minutes if lanside option is preferred )
JER: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Good; Landside: Good. Arrivals decant into departure hall, sometimes you need to double back to the BA lounge.
JMK: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Nearly impossible due to clunky arrival processing and use of buses.
JTR: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impossible: bus transfer, slow passports.
KEF: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if non Schengen, Good otherwise; Landside: Good. BA flights tip arriving passengers into the departure gate. Foolproof. NB LCY flights pax use a bus from a remote stand, still easy as dropped off less than 100M from the departure gate.
KLX: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Moderately risky due to boarding passes only being issued at check-in. No buses used normally, walk off plane straight into very small building.
KRK: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Nearly impossible due to clunky arrival processing and use of buses.
LBA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Have to go landside for any connection or b2b but small airport, see here for further details
LCA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. There is a "Connecting Flights" channel on the left of the arrivals corridor, half way along, well before passports.
LEI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Moderate to risky: you have to go via landside, and you need the return boarding pass before travel. But it's a small and efficient airport. No buses are used, it's similar to LCY in operation.
LHR T3: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. Follow connecting flights route, which can be as quick as 11 mins from disembark to through security. No conformance unlike T5. see here.
LIG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good to Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. See this post for more information
LIS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. There is a security check to the right, immediately before and avoiding the passport desks. Risk of bus gates, but still OK.
LIN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not a good place due to bus transfer and needing to go fully landside; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable to Poor (bus gates)
LPA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Possibly OK if off peak. Some flights are bus gates, but it's a relatively small and efficient airport. OLCI and App check in both work.
LUX: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Landside route is described here: Airside transfer door described here.
MAD T4: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very good; Transfer: Good to Reasonable depending on arriving terminal. Landside: Reasonable See this post for full details.
MAH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good to excellent, see post number 563.
MAN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable to Poor; Transfer: Reasonable to Poor: Landside: Reasonable to Poor
MCT: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent - direct transfer route
MLA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. See this post and linked blog for details.
MRS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. There is a transfer and security point just before going down to passports. Use the phone on the post to ask for it to be opened it for you; however, there is no guarantee that it will and you may have to exit to landside and re-enter through departures security.
MUC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very good; Transfer: Good but note 2 terminals; Landside: Good. Transfer point after passport, details in this post
MXP: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (bit of walk to Transfer facility); Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. Thread links here.
NCE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Poor; Landside: Good. There is a direct transfer route by turning into the door way on the right before the slope up to passports
NCL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent if domestic, otherwise Good; Landside: Good. Arrivals decant into departure hall.
NQY: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (no flight connections but small airport). See post 475 for more information.
NTE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good. see this post.
NUE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Impractical unfortunately due to no OLCI, all check in done at the airport
OLB: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Excellent. Arriving into Olbia is via jetty to the departure gate, no passports or security. Note no OLCI via the App, more info here.
ORK: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good, do need to clear passports and security but very small and efficient airport.
ORY: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not recommended due to fast turnarounds on LCY services. You have to go fully landside and back in again, via 2 passport checks and a security check.
OPO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent (Look for grey escalator going up); Transfer: Good (reasonable if Schengen); Landside: Reasonable
OTP: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good as at April 2019. Poor as of 29 Dec 18; Transfer: Excellent (See post #1919); Landside: Good to Reasonable. Arrival experience and speed of transit depends on arrival gate. On some arrivals, there is a Connection facility on the right at Passport Control after leaving aircraft although sometimes it is up some stairs and on the left. If this is the case, you need to go to the top of the stairs to see a passport official / go to passport desk (to explain you have arrived from London and are going straight back to London - likely resulting in a confused look on the officer's face) before returning half way down the stairs to go through security.
OSL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good on the whole; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. (See experiences in this post, this post, this post and this post.)
OVD: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Not really suitable. This is really an Iberia Express route but leaves T5 under BA code. The aircraft is based in OVD not LHR. Small efficient airport though.
PFO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good on the whole, but you do need to go landside. However it is a small airport. May not be so good on a busy Saturday during school holidays. Note bus transfers however.
PMO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Airport is currently being rebuilt. Once completed potentially a good option due to airbridge. Departure security is two floors above arrivals (use lift)
PMI: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Excellent. Borderline foolproof - you are landed direct into boarding area
PRG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Ungraded; Landside: Ungraded. For back-to-back the LHR-PRG arrival dumps you right into the main corridor of that pier; walk 100 ft. to security check for the BA boarding lounge and you'll be good to go.
PRN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Possible but not recommended, see post 557.
PSA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable (not the best location since there are a lot of LCC and you have to reclear security from landside). (August 2018 review and comment)
PUY: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Unrealistic, due to the bus transfer process followed by passport control.
RAK: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Terrible; Transfer: Ungraded; Landside: Ungraded. See post #1353 below
RHO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Infeasible - no OLCI or App check in, bus transfers from gates. Also airport very busy on Saturday PM and Sunday AM.
RTM: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Good (Reasonable during morning/evening peaks)
SEZ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent. Use the Transit desk at the right side of the immigration hall, opposite end to passport control, see this post.
SKG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. Note bus transfers on apron.
SOF: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Reasonable. Arrivals decant into departure area.
SPU: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but there is a bus transfer and then landside; Transfer: Reasonable but transfer routes seems to be from Star Alliance; Landside: Reasonable
STR: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable (stairs from baggage hall back to security. Can't avoid security/passports); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. Report here.
SVG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Excellent; Landside: Excellent. Borderline foolproof, though only restricted number of flights
SVQ: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but need to exit landside and go up through departures, security. and passports is by the gate. Compact airport, fast security even if queuing.
SZG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable; Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable. No transfer channel and note bus transfers, but small airport.
TFS: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable but in all cases involves going landside. May be tricky to reclear security in peak holiday season.
TIA: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Probably impractical. There is a bus transfer process and passport checks/stamps takes a while (Albania isn't in the EU).
TLL: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. see this post.
TLV: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: At your own risk. There is a transfer route with security on the way to passport control just after the rotunda.
TNG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: No transfer or B2B route. Have to pass immigration, customs and security again. Airport is tiny (think 10 flights a day) and B2B is perfectly doable provided no problems at immigration.
TRN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Reasonable to Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. No short cuts to avoid going landside via passports x2 and security, apart from Fast Track security, but a small and efficient airport.
UIP: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good - very small airport, tarmac walk.
VCE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Very good; Transfer: Good at off-peak times; Landside: Reasonable. See this post for details
VIE: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent (BEWARE: see here); Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable
VLC: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. There's no transfer route so you have to go via landside. Departures is straight up from the arrival point. Disagree with the previous two sentences. For me, a direct turnaround from gates 12-14 was possible without going landside. Took less than a minute.
VNO: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Excellent; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. Arriving passengers enter departing passenger area. [BA have codeshare and also has TP Run options via AY]
VRN: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good; Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable. There's no transfer route so you have to go landside but it's a very small airport and there is Fast Track.
WAW: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (small connection facility on left after airbridge); Transfer: Good; Landside: Reasonable
ZAG: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Good (must re-clear security--this is effectively an international transfer); Transfer: Good (must re-clear security [there are separate transfers for international to international near east end of a/p and international to domestic with passport control near west end of a/p] but airport is small); Landside: Reasonable (must clear passport control, go downstairs through baggage claim to exit, outside and upstairs to check-in, upstairs again to the top floor for security and passport control and then back downstairs to the gate level.
ZRH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Generally good but see this post and the replies for more information.
ZTH: ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: Infeasible due to buses and no online check-in possibilities. Somewhat unfortunate given the small airport. No transfer route, you must enter Schengen and go to landside.
Back-to-back (B2B) / Immediate Turnarounds at BA Destinations
Apr 7, 2019, 7:47 am
#1
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
Back-to-back (B2B) / Immediate Turnarounds at BA Destinations
This is the continuation of the popular Back-to-back / Immediate Turnarounds at BA Destinations thread.
The wiki post has been rebuilt and hopefully improved upon with the introduction of a rudimentary traffic light system. At the moment the links contained in the wiki point to posts in the old thread but when the time comes to update the information, might I request that the old links are replaced with new links posted in this thread (as and when they are ready)
Related threads:
Back-to-back immediate turnarounds in domestic South Africa: JNB/DUR/CPT
The wiki post has been rebuilt and hopefully improved upon with the introduction of a rudimentary traffic light system. At the moment the links contained in the wiki point to posts in the old thread but when the time comes to update the information, might I request that the old links are replaced with new links posted in this thread (as and when they are ready)
Related threads:
Back-to-back immediate turnarounds in domestic South Africa: JNB/DUR/CPT
Last edited by Prospero; Apr 8, 2019 at 2:57 am
Apr 7, 2019, 2:45 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: BAEC OW Gold/Emerald
Posts: 538
Just completed an INV b2b returned to LHR on BA1471. With this flight being penultimate departure for the day no line in security but still used Fast Track lane which was open. From seat 2c to departure gate took 5 minutes max. Only problem is a broken air bridge at LHR so waiting to disembark, hence time to knock out this update.
Last edited by IntVic; Apr 7, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Apr 8, 2019, 2:25 am
#3
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Apr 8, 2019, 2:51 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: British Airways GCH
Posts: 75
Hi all,
I’m looking to book a b2b to Helsinki which looking at this lovely refreshed wiki looks feasible.
I’m, however, having difficulty with BA.com, it won’t let me book it (there is a 50 minute turnaround and I think MCT is 35 minutes). Is this normal? And if it is I guess I need to call BA to book.
if I book on the phone will I still be able to use avios to discount my fare (I am avios rich and cash poor at the moment....).
ta.
I’m looking to book a b2b to Helsinki which looking at this lovely refreshed wiki looks feasible.
I’m, however, having difficulty with BA.com, it won’t let me book it (there is a 50 minute turnaround and I think MCT is 35 minutes). Is this normal? And if it is I guess I need to call BA to book.
if I book on the phone will I still be able to use avios to discount my fare (I am avios rich and cash poor at the moment....).
ta.
Apr 8, 2019, 4:01 am
#5
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
Hi all,
I’m looking to book a b2b to Helsinki which looking at this lovely refreshed wiki looks feasible.
I’m, however, having difficulty with BA.com, it won’t let me book it (there is a 50 minute turnaround and I think MCT is 35 minutes). Is this normal? And if it is I guess I need to call BA to book.
if I book on the phone will I still be able to use avios to discount my fare (I am avios rich and cash poor at the moment....).
ta.
I’m looking to book a b2b to Helsinki which looking at this lovely refreshed wiki looks feasible.
I’m, however, having difficulty with BA.com, it won’t let me book it (there is a 50 minute turnaround and I think MCT is 35 minutes). Is this normal? And if it is I guess I need to call BA to book.
if I book on the phone will I still be able to use avios to discount my fare (I am avios rich and cash poor at the moment....).
ta.
Apr 8, 2019, 4:47 am
#7
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: 63,809
This thread has several uses, and it should be pointed out, given the refresh, is that this thread can be helpful for people with separate tickets, in other words booking a third country itinerary. For example booking HEL-LHR-PHX rather than LHR-PHX with a separate LHR-HEL ticket to link into the longhaul. This thread indicates that it isn't too risky to do this and to some extent what we are talking here are those locations where booking a true back to back wouldn't be too risky with 2 tickets: The return flight can't depart for 35 to 45 minutes minutes after the outbound service. Essentially the question is whether that 35 minutes is enough time for you to arrive and get around to the departure gate.
Clearly doing it on one ticket also gives you protection to a degree but personally I think it is easy to overstress the advantage of a single ticket on a back to back, if you didn't get to the return service's gate 20 minutes before advertised departure time then that protection is potentially toast anyway. And if you're in a smaller airport with 3 services a week, with Iberia doing the handling, and it's 23:00 hrs, then good luck with extracting that protection! That's my personal view.
And while I'm here, this thread is rather less useful for those who want to take non B2B services, perhaps on the basis that an extra 3 hours gives more comfort to the connection - that is potentially a false sense of security since if the outbound is delayed, the inbound - on a different aircraft and crew - could still run on time. Clearly if you have checked baggage a true B2B becomes very difficult, I have only found one or two places where this is possible (e.g. some LGW-CGN services, some LCY services to places like Dublin and Milan). In which case, it may be better to make a virtue of a visit to the city concerned, and go the night before.
Clearly doing it on one ticket also gives you protection to a degree but personally I think it is easy to overstress the advantage of a single ticket on a back to back, if you didn't get to the return service's gate 20 minutes before advertised departure time then that protection is potentially toast anyway. And if you're in a smaller airport with 3 services a week, with Iberia doing the handling, and it's 23:00 hrs, then good luck with extracting that protection! That's my personal view.
And while I'm here, this thread is rather less useful for those who want to take non B2B services, perhaps on the basis that an extra 3 hours gives more comfort to the connection - that is potentially a false sense of security since if the outbound is delayed, the inbound - on a different aircraft and crew - could still run on time. Clearly if you have checked baggage a true B2B becomes very difficult, I have only found one or two places where this is possible (e.g. some LGW-CGN services, some LCY services to places like Dublin and Milan). In which case, it may be better to make a virtue of a visit to the city concerned, and go the night before.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Apr 8, 2019 at 7:05 am Reason: After lobbying!
Apr 8, 2019, 8:09 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Brighton. UK
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I like the new layout Thanks to those that did the hard work. This wiki isn't going to suit everyone but it is a good resource.
Might I suggest that at airports that get BA flights from multiple BA destinations (e.g. AMS) that a note is added that the traffic lights only apply if you are doing a true B2B and not e.g. an inbound from LCY and an outbound to LHR. I know that wouldn't be a trye B2B but we have had questions about this in the past.
Might I suggest that at airports that get BA flights from multiple BA destinations (e.g. AMS) that a note is added that the traffic lights only apply if you are doing a true B2B and not e.g. an inbound from LCY and an outbound to LHR. I know that wouldn't be a trye B2B but we have had questions about this in the past.
Apr 8, 2019, 9:09 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BA Gold. Flying Blue, Radisson, Accor
Posts: 289
I like the new layout Thanks to those that did the hard work. This wiki isn't going to suit everyone but it is a good resource.
Might I suggest that at airports that get BA flights from multiple BA destinations (e.g. AMS) that a note is added that the traffic lights only apply if you are doing a true B2B and not e.g. an inbound from LCY and an outbound to LHR. I know that wouldn't be a trye B2B but we have had questions about this in the past.
Might I suggest that at airports that get BA flights from multiple BA destinations (e.g. AMS) that a note is added that the traffic lights only apply if you are doing a true B2B and not e.g. an inbound from LCY and an outbound to LHR. I know that wouldn't be a trye B2B but we have had questions about this in the past.
Apr 8, 2019, 9:18 am
#10
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,212
I like the new layout Thanks to those that did the hard work. This wiki isn't going to suit everyone but it is a good resource.
Might I suggest that at airports that get BA flights from multiple BA destinations (e.g. AMS) that a note is added that the traffic lights only apply if you are doing a true B2B and not e.g. an inbound from LCY and an outbound to LHR. I know that wouldn't be a trye B2B but we have had questions about this in the past.
Might I suggest that at airports that get BA flights from multiple BA destinations (e.g. AMS) that a note is added that the traffic lights only apply if you are doing a true B2B and not e.g. an inbound from LCY and an outbound to LHR. I know that wouldn't be a trye B2B but we have had questions about this in the past.
- Back to back: Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on the same aircraft that operated the inbound flight
- Transfer: Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on a different aircraft (or airline) to the one that operated the inbound flight
- Landside: Full arrival and departure sequence. It is assumed check-in for the onward flight is processed prior to the arrival at the airport.
Does add clarity?
Apr 8, 2019, 10:10 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: QF, TK, VA, SQ
Posts: 695
Thanks for this update - it looks good and I think it's a bit clearer to me (I'm more of a visual person).
I've got an FCO-LHR-SIN booked later this year, and flying down to Rome the night before may prove hard timing wise, so considering doing a back-to-back.
If so, would plan to drop luggage at LHR for BA11 and fly HLO from LHR-FCO and back; but I'm not too sure what the comments actually mean?
FCO: Three orange smileys
Back to back: Reasonable (return shuttle to main terminal); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
I flew to and from FCO a few months ago and if I'm honest I don't remember much about getting to/from the plane so not sure if my potential plan is foolish or not.
I've got an FCO-LHR-SIN booked later this year, and flying down to Rome the night before may prove hard timing wise, so considering doing a back-to-back.
If so, would plan to drop luggage at LHR for BA11 and fly HLO from LHR-FCO and back; but I'm not too sure what the comments actually mean?
FCO: Three orange smileys
Back to back: Reasonable (return shuttle to main terminal); Transfer: Reasonable; Landside: Reasonable
I flew to and from FCO a few months ago and if I'm honest I don't remember much about getting to/from the plane so not sure if my potential plan is foolish or not.
Apr 8, 2019, 11:33 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I amended the wording in the wiki describing the transfer categories, to
Does add clarity?
- Back to back: Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on the same aircraft that operated the inbound flight
- Transfer: Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on a different aircraft (or airline) to the one that operated the inbound flight
- Landside: Full arrival and departure sequence. It is assumed check-in for the onward flight is processed prior to the arrival at the airport.
Does add clarity?
Apr 8, 2019, 3:13 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
I
I would say that is viable but very risky.
The combination of long walks, immigration and waiting for bags, you would need your inbound flight to be perfectly on time for success.
Are you you switching between London airports as part of this adventure?
The combination of long walks, immigration and waiting for bags, you would need your inbound flight to be perfectly on time for success.
Are you you switching between London airports as part of this adventure?
Apr 8, 2019, 3:17 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum, HH Diamond, Hertz PC,
Posts: 1,986
AMS has a 1 hour luggage check-in cut-off, so with (say) 30 mins to get luggage from arriving plane that ought to be doable (just) but if your inbound is delayed you will risk missing the check-in cut-off.