BUD Back-to-back?
Aug 26, 2019, 2:07 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,110
Thanks all. I took a punt and booked the BUD b2b.
Homewards from the US to LHR to BUD in CW/CE, then a separate ticket BUD-LHR-MAN in ET (connecing to the last LHR-MAN of the day). No checked luggage. I'll report back how it goes!
I wonder if the LHR T5-T3 and T3-T5 will end up being as much of a risk to the connections as the BUD b2b itself.
Unlike my outward journey for this homewards journey, I can accept IRROPS forcing me into the next day if it goes wrong (although I'd prefer not too).
Homewards from the US to LHR to BUD in CW/CE, then a separate ticket BUD-LHR-MAN in ET (connecing to the last LHR-MAN of the day). No checked luggage. I'll report back how it goes!
I wonder if the LHR T5-T3 and T3-T5 will end up being as much of a risk to the connections as the BUD b2b itself.
Unlike my outward journey for this homewards journey, I can accept IRROPS forcing me into the next day if it goes wrong (although I'd prefer not too).
Aug 26, 2019, 2:21 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth WA/ UK
Programs: BA Gold, Priority Club Gold, Accor Silver, Virgin Australia Gold
Posts: 1,750
I quite like using BUD as commencement on ex EU. However I use it only with AY heading far East and use BA as feeder usually go from LHR early afternoon flight and have a night at the airport hotel or down town depending on when flying into HEL. I know some.people could consider this a time loss issue but I quite enjoy it.. Be aware Budapest city can be very congested and travel to the airport in the morning needs to be coordinated allowing plenty of time.
Aug 26, 2019, 2:42 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Bonvoy Platinum, HH Diamond; others
Posts: 741
And then 90 minutes between landing from BUD in T3 and takeoff for MAN in T5.
Both should be readily doable but probably not much lounge time, if any.
Last edited by NWIFlyer; May 27, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Aug 26, 2019, 10:54 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
Typo
Yes, those connections will probably work. Assuming the LHR transfer are on the same tickets on both occasions . I guess you have two tix, UK-BUD-UK & BUD-IAH-BUD
But are you doing a B2B in BUD?
Last edited by onobond; Aug 27, 2019 at 4:00 am
Aug 27, 2019, 4:48 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Bonvoy Platinum, HH Diamond; others
Posts: 741
Yes, a b2b in BUD: LHR-BUD then BUD-LHR on same plane but different ticket.
Only BUD b2b on way home, outwards starting point is LIS not BUD.
Sep 9, 2019, 2:47 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Bonvoy Platinum, HH Diamond; others
Posts: 741
So, how did the BUD B2B go?
In short, it worked OK.
There is a well signposted 5mins walk from the plane to airside transfers, a security check (~15mins, see below), and then back into the departure gates area (~5mins walk to the gate). Total ~25mins. The BA flight was timetabled for 50mins between arrival and departure. In practical terms, I was sat near the front of CE so was off the aircraft quickly and I was back at the gate in time for the end of the group 1 boarding. There was obviously some slack in B2B timing, as boarding continued for ~5-10mins after I got to the gate.
Cautions:
1) The one small area where the signposting is maybe ambiguous is the passport control: don't go through the passport channels, go to the far right of the hall and there is a channel that feeds round the back into the transfers security check.
2) The transfer security was closed, with a (very friendly) guard who obviously wasn't expecting any customers. After considering whether I was a lunatic for trying to connect back onto the same aircraft, she made the necessary phone calls (including a later call to chase colleagues), and eventually (~10mins waiting) 5 colleagues turned up to open security, process me (~1min), and close it all down again.
3) The timing worked OK, but could be very tight if: (a) you were not sat near the front of the aircraft, or (b) you weren't lucky enough to get very friendly and cooperative security staff, or (c) you weren't fairly brisk on your feet.
4) The combination of a T3 destination for B2B and T5 for the longhauls was a nuisance but I never really felt my connections were at risk, only my lounge time :-)
Bottom line(s):
- Would I do BUD B2B for the outwards part of an exEU where the whole trip was at stake if it went wrong? No.
- Would I do BUD B2B again for the homewards leg of an exEU where the fallbacks were either the later BA flight home, or worst case a night in Budapest? Yes happily, but only for a decent saving compared to better B2B options.
(Have updated the B2B wiki: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...tinations.html)
.
In short, it worked OK.
There is a well signposted 5mins walk from the plane to airside transfers, a security check (~15mins, see below), and then back into the departure gates area (~5mins walk to the gate). Total ~25mins. The BA flight was timetabled for 50mins between arrival and departure. In practical terms, I was sat near the front of CE so was off the aircraft quickly and I was back at the gate in time for the end of the group 1 boarding. There was obviously some slack in B2B timing, as boarding continued for ~5-10mins after I got to the gate.
Cautions:
1) The one small area where the signposting is maybe ambiguous is the passport control: don't go through the passport channels, go to the far right of the hall and there is a channel that feeds round the back into the transfers security check.
2) The transfer security was closed, with a (very friendly) guard who obviously wasn't expecting any customers. After considering whether I was a lunatic for trying to connect back onto the same aircraft, she made the necessary phone calls (including a later call to chase colleagues), and eventually (~10mins waiting) 5 colleagues turned up to open security, process me (~1min), and close it all down again.
3) The timing worked OK, but could be very tight if: (a) you were not sat near the front of the aircraft, or (b) you weren't lucky enough to get very friendly and cooperative security staff, or (c) you weren't fairly brisk on your feet.
4) The combination of a T3 destination for B2B and T5 for the longhauls was a nuisance but I never really felt my connections were at risk, only my lounge time :-)
Bottom line(s):
- Would I do BUD B2B for the outwards part of an exEU where the whole trip was at stake if it went wrong? No.
- Would I do BUD B2B again for the homewards leg of an exEU where the fallbacks were either the later BA flight home, or worst case a night in Budapest? Yes happily, but only for a decent saving compared to better B2B options.
(Have updated the B2B wiki: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...tinations.html)
.
Last edited by manord; Sep 9, 2019 at 3:00 am
Aug 27, 2022, 5:28 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: Mucci, BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Stena Gold
Posts: 1,086
Bumping this thread to see (per Stez) if anyone has attempted B2B in BUD.
I have booked to KOA and need to sort out my positioning. It is the return that may be problematic
Thank you!
I have booked to KOA and need to sort out my positioning. It is the return that may be problematic
Thank you!
Aug 27, 2022, 5:47 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 38
There's been quite a few posts about it including mine https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34438696-post3692.html
In summary you'll be fine and no change
.... just make sure you have your boarding pass
Aug 27, 2022, 8:18 am
#26
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,082
I was wondering about a BUD back to back too, but since I've never been there and I don't want extra stress at the moment, I decided against it... at least for the first run.
I hope there will be more reports from BUD this autumn, since from what I understood there will be a good number of Flyertalkers going to Hawaii from there
I hope there will be more reports from BUD this autumn, since from what I understood there will be a good number of Flyertalkers going to Hawaii from there
Aug 27, 2022, 8:44 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North West, UK
Programs: BA GfL (GGL/CCR), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,998
I've got three B2Bs planned at BUD for Nov, Dec and Jan. It's great if you can check in online before leaving LHR, but the problem I have seen in my last 5 trips is that I am never allowed to check in online! No idea why. I religiously use Verifly, upload docs on BA and whenever I ask I never get any answer as to why checking in online doesn't work.
I used to just ask at LHR to get my boarding card for the way back, but I hear that's problematic nowadays as well.
What are others' experience?
I used to just ask at LHR to get my boarding card for the way back, but I hear that's problematic nowadays as well.
What are others' experience?
Aug 27, 2022, 1:20 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Programs: BAEC-GGL, GFL, *A Gold, Hilton Diamond , IHG Diamond/Ambassador
Posts: 244
I've got three B2Bs planned at BUD for Nov, Dec and Jan. It's great if you can check in online before leaving LHR, but the problem I have seen in my last 5 trips is that I am never allowed to check in online! No idea why. I religiously use Verifly, upload docs on BA and whenever I ask I never get any answer as to why checking in online doesn't work.
I used to just ask at LHR to get my boarding card for the way back, but I hear that's problematic nowadays as well.
What are others' experience?
I used to just ask at LHR to get my boarding card for the way back, but I hear that's problematic nowadays as well.
What are others' experience?
Oct 28, 2022, 7:45 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 44
1h turnaround
Doing BUD to West Cost in November.
Outward I’m taking morning flight so staying o/night at Ibis BUD.
On return taking transatlantic redeye then early flight to BUD, landing at 16:50.
Last return is 17:50 (likely same aircraft) but wondering if this is too tight or should I just stay o/night again or forget the last leg altogether…
Any wise advice?
Outward I’m taking morning flight so staying o/night at Ibis BUD.
On return taking transatlantic redeye then early flight to BUD, landing at 16:50.
Last return is 17:50 (likely same aircraft) but wondering if this is too tight or should I just stay o/night again or forget the last leg altogether…
Any wise advice?
Dec 5, 2022, 4:22 am
#30
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,947
I've got three B2Bs planned at BUD for Nov, Dec and Jan. It's great if you can check in online before leaving LHR, but the problem I have seen in my last 5 trips is that I am never allowed to check in online! No idea why. I religiously use Verifly, upload docs on BA and whenever I ask I never get any answer as to why checking in online doesn't work.
I used to just ask at LHR to get my boarding card for the way back, but I hear that's problematic nowadays as well.
What are others' experience?
I used to just ask at LHR to get my boarding card for the way back, but I hear that's problematic nowadays as well.
What are others' experience?
M