AA T3 to BA T5 - Have Luggage
Jan 12, 2020, 8:00 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: NY, NY
Programs: AA EP, UA 1K
Posts: 124
+1 for waiting to shower until you get to the F lounge in T5. I would just head out of T3 after getting my luggage and take the heathrow express to T5 (which is a free trip, although you have to get a ticket). Pop up in T5 and head to the First Wing for check in and then emerge in the F lounge to shower and grab a bite to eat.
Jan 12, 2020, 8:20 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,196
Jan 12, 2020, 10:28 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Nashville,TN
Programs: AA Gold Elite
Posts: 601
Just make sure if you take HEX that you get on the correct train at T3.
I had a very stupid man in an official Heathrow jacket assure me that the train that was in T3 was going to T5. Nope, it went nonstop all the way to Paddington!
Fortunately we got right back on HEX at Paddington for free but it ate up about 40 minutes of our layover before departing for EDI from T5.
The AA arrivals lounge is quite nice but a 1pm arrival is not a great time to go there.
I would play it safe especially if you cannot interline bags from your departure airport and just get to T5 first.
The e gates are great improvement compared to my last transit in March 2019. But do see if FT has a shorter line than the gates and as a US citizen you are eligible to use the e gates. There are some youtube videos to explain the process.
Have a great trip
I had a very stupid man in an official Heathrow jacket assure me that the train that was in T3 was going to T5. Nope, it went nonstop all the way to Paddington!
Fortunately we got right back on HEX at Paddington for free but it ate up about 40 minutes of our layover before departing for EDI from T5.
The AA arrivals lounge is quite nice but a 1pm arrival is not a great time to go there.
I would play it safe especially if you cannot interline bags from your departure airport and just get to T5 first.
The e gates are great improvement compared to my last transit in March 2019. But do see if FT has a shorter line than the gates and as a US citizen you are eligible to use the e gates. There are some youtube videos to explain the process.
Have a great trip
Jan 12, 2020, 12:36 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 283
That has been my experience as well ever since the policy changed a few years ago.
Jan 12, 2020, 12:37 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 283
Just make sure if you take HEX that you get on the correct train at T3.
I had a very stupid man in an official Heathrow jacket assure me that the train that was in T3 was going to T5. Nope, it went nonstop all the way to Paddington!
Fortunately we got right back on HEX at Paddington for free but it ate up about 40 minutes of our layover before departing for EDI from T5.
The AA arrivals lounge is quite nice but a 1pm arrival is not a great time to go there.
I would play it safe especially if you cannot interline bags from your departure airport and just get to T5 first.
The e gates are great improvement compared to my last transit in March 2019. But do see if FT has a shorter line than the gates and as a US citizen you are eligible to use the e gates. There are some youtube videos to explain the process.
Have a great trip
I had a very stupid man in an official Heathrow jacket assure me that the train that was in T3 was going to T5. Nope, it went nonstop all the way to Paddington!
Fortunately we got right back on HEX at Paddington for free but it ate up about 40 minutes of our layover before departing for EDI from T5.
The AA arrivals lounge is quite nice but a 1pm arrival is not a great time to go there.
I would play it safe especially if you cannot interline bags from your departure airport and just get to T5 first.
The e gates are great improvement compared to my last transit in March 2019. But do see if FT has a shorter line than the gates and as a US citizen you are eligible to use the e gates. There are some youtube videos to explain the process.
Have a great trip
Jan 12, 2020, 12:38 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 283
+1 for waiting to shower until you get to the F lounge in T5. I would just head out of T3 after getting my luggage and take the heathrow express to T5 (which is a free trip, although you have to get a ticket). Pop up in T5 and head to the First Wing for check in and then emerge in the F lounge to shower and grab a bite to eat.
Jan 12, 2020, 12:51 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle.
Posts: 1,448
+1 for waiting to shower until you get to the F lounge in T5. I would just head out of T3 after getting my luggage and take the heathrow express to T5 (which is a free trip, although you have to get a ticket). Pop up in T5 and head to the First Wing for check in and then emerge in the F lounge to shower and grab a bite to eat.