T5 queues this morning (weekend AM peaks)
Jul 18, 2020, 7:21 am
#61
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 6
Anyone flying at the moment should expect some hold-ups and inconveniences, but there is no excuse for scenes like this. You'd think that HAL and BA would be pleased to see people returning, and treat them accordingly.
I am increasingly convinced that my decision not to fly for the rest of this year, and to only visit places that I can get to by train (and that list is a long one from Berlin), is a good one.
I am increasingly convinced that my decision not to fly for the rest of this year, and to only visit places that I can get to by train (and that list is a long one from Berlin), is a good one.
Jul 18, 2020, 7:24 am
#62
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,440
As someone mentioned up thread, I think it’s due to the change in flight styles. BA have gone from having a lot of connections and business pax on HBO, to lots of holiday flights with families checking in luggage.
This morning had lots of flights to Spain, Greece etc (plus the LGW holiday flights)and it’s the start of the school holidays. So it was going to be busy.
I hope this gets sorted though for the rest of the summer.
This morning had lots of flights to Spain, Greece etc (plus the LGW holiday flights)and it’s the start of the school holidays. So it was going to be busy.
I hope this gets sorted though for the rest of the summer.
Jul 18, 2020, 11:26 am
#64
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Gold Hilton Diamond
Posts: 289
So the hassle factor are those who have to use check in desks?
I’m flying CE domestic tomorrow HBO. I have already OLCI.
Reading this thread it sounds like those who have to use check in desks had all the hassle.
So assume I should be okay tomorrow... go straight to security?
Reading this thread it sounds like those who have to use check in desks had all the hassle.
So assume I should be okay tomorrow... go straight to security?
Jul 18, 2020, 11:35 am
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,356
Jul 18, 2020, 1:43 pm
#67
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: BA Executive Blue
Posts: 140
I flew from T2 on Friday last week, a very short queue to drop my luggage, none at security. The by far longest queue in the Terminal was for Leon, nothing else open yet so I didn't bother.
Arrial at T2 on Tuesday was also quite smooth. I was asked if I had the passenger locator file, but no one wanted to see it. At manned immigration there was a very short queue, at the e-gates there was none. Luggage was also quite quick.
Arrial at T2 on Tuesday was also quite smooth. I was asked if I had the passenger locator file, but no one wanted to see it. At manned immigration there was a very short queue, at the e-gates there was none. Luggage was also quite quick.
Jul 18, 2020, 2:46 pm
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Apart from the First Wing not accepting luggage, today was actually good (I got a bit panicky reading this thread in the taxi on the way!). The First lounge was very quiet at 1.30 and our food - including an impressive salmon fishcake addition to the menu - with a glass of rose champagne came VERY quickly.
One upside of the F wing not accepting luggage was that most people seemed to be choosing to use the main security area, so we had it all to ourselves when we nipped back in after dropping our cases in Zone H.
For some reason the coffee area (which is separate to the food area) was not manned and so no coffee orders were being filled. Eventually we flagged down a staff member, reiterated our order and she brought it quickly.
My wife then blew £300 in Smythson on the way out, but you can't win them all.
What the menu does need, however, are kids options. It's all a bit fancy at the moment (I know, it is bizarre saying this about BA). Dumping the Moroccan Meatballs for meatballs, pasta and tomato sauce would be a start.
One upside of the F wing not accepting luggage was that most people seemed to be choosing to use the main security area, so we had it all to ourselves when we nipped back in after dropping our cases in Zone H.
For some reason the coffee area (which is separate to the food area) was not manned and so no coffee orders were being filled. Eventually we flagged down a staff member, reiterated our order and she brought it quickly.
My wife then blew £300 in Smythson on the way out, but you can't win them all.
What the menu does need, however, are kids options. It's all a bit fancy at the moment (I know, it is bizarre saying this about BA). Dumping the Moroccan Meatballs for meatballs, pasta and tomato sauce would be a start.
Jul 18, 2020, 5:29 pm
#69
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 491
I was also there this morning and I’ve never seen it so disorganized and chaotic. By the time I’d dropped my bag she had to call and ask to decrease conformance time so I’d be able to pass through to airside.
I had personally heard one older gentleman be instructed to check his bag in Zone D, then when it came to document checking near the top of the line they told him he had to go to Zone F and that he must have been mistaken. He was not happy.
I had personally heard one older gentleman be instructed to check his bag in Zone D, then when it came to document checking near the top of the line they told him he had to go to Zone F and that he must have been mistaken. He was not happy.
Last edited by James91; Jul 18, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Jul 19, 2020, 12:45 am
#71
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Gold Hilton Diamond
Posts: 289
Arrived at 7am (earlier than I planned as hotel Hoppa was early). Went straight to security and through in 10 minutes.
Still queues for checkin but don’t look as bad as yesterday’s photos
Jul 19, 2020, 1:28 am
#72
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: 30 miles from London
Programs: BAEC Gold, MUCCI, Elite Fan of MO, ALL Accor Live Gold
Posts: 1,483
Jul 19, 2020, 1:58 am
#73
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,537
But flexible furlough is now in place- ...............
Parking at LHR in August-limited and very expensive
It is a balance between supply and demand but if people cant travel as services are still furloughed that will halt recovery. Maybe corporate apathy rather than CV19 will kill travel.
Parking at LHR in August-limited and very expensive
It is a balance between supply and demand but if people cant travel as services are still furloughed that will halt recovery. Maybe corporate apathy rather than CV19 will kill travel.
both BA and Heathrow airport have been screaming blue murder about reopening and getting people flying again. Yet as soon as people try to they are met with chaos and queues.
Those parking charges in August aren’t just expensive, they are outrageous and clearly designed to put people off.
I have been going to work almost continuously since March. I shop in supermarkets and I have visited shopping centres and I will happily wear a mask. But I will not queue!
Shops and supermarkets are limited by the number who can enter the building, so I shop when it’s likely to quiet.
Airports are limited by their own resourcing not by how many can enter the building.Both BA and Heathrow Airport have the data on passenger numbers, they know when they will depart, they know the public transport schedules to the airport and can model passenger arrival times into individual terminals by all modes of travel
The usual apologist for BA and the national embarrassment that is Heathrow, will claim it’s a one off, unusual and that we should not expect better.
Well, if there is to be any hope of a recovery these organisation need to up their game, focus on customers and deliver an excellent experience. Neither did before this pandemic and in this evidence neither will going forward
Jul 19, 2020, 2:09 am
#74
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
absolutely!
both BA and Heathrow airport have been screaming blue murder about reopening and getting people flying again. Yet as soon as people try to they are met with chaos and queues.
Those parking charges in August aren’t just expensive, they are outrageous and clearly designed to put people off.
I have been going to work almost continuously since March. I shop in supermarkets and I have visited shopping centres and I will happily wear a mask. But I will not queue!
Shops and supermarkets are limited by the number who can enter the building, so I shop when it’s likely to quiet.
Airports are limited by their own resourcing not by how many can enter the building.Both BA and Heathrow Airport have the data on passenger numbers, they know when they will depart, they know the public transport schedules to the airport and can model passenger arrival times into individual terminals by all modes of travel
The usual apologist for BA and the national embarrassment that is Heathrow, will claim it’s a one off, unusual and that we should not expect better.
Well, if there is to be any hope of a recovery these organisation need to up their game, focus on customers and deliver an excellent experience. Neither did before this pandemic and in this evidence neither will going forward
both BA and Heathrow airport have been screaming blue murder about reopening and getting people flying again. Yet as soon as people try to they are met with chaos and queues.
Those parking charges in August aren’t just expensive, they are outrageous and clearly designed to put people off.
I have been going to work almost continuously since March. I shop in supermarkets and I have visited shopping centres and I will happily wear a mask. But I will not queue!
Shops and supermarkets are limited by the number who can enter the building, so I shop when it’s likely to quiet.
Airports are limited by their own resourcing not by how many can enter the building.Both BA and Heathrow Airport have the data on passenger numbers, they know when they will depart, they know the public transport schedules to the airport and can model passenger arrival times into individual terminals by all modes of travel
The usual apologist for BA and the national embarrassment that is Heathrow, will claim it’s a one off, unusual and that we should not expect better.
Well, if there is to be any hope of a recovery these organisation need to up their game, focus on customers and deliver an excellent experience. Neither did before this pandemic and in this evidence neither will going forward
But if this is repeated, there is no excuse.
Jul 19, 2020, 7:18 am
#75
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL & CCR / QF LTG
Posts: 829
I hope they sort this mess by next weekend. I have a 07:25 flight, which was moved from LGW. I had the Gatwick Bloc hotel booked, so I could get there the night before, roll out of bed the next day and check in. For LHR, with Sofitel closed, it is easier just to get a taxi. Just don't want to be confronted by these images!