LHR T5 | Current passenger flows and queue times
Mar 19, 2022, 4:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,591
LHR T5 | Current passenger flows and queue times
Does anybody know what is going on at T5 today? Looks like total meltdown at Y/J check in desks. People queuing way beyond the tensa barriers - almost MAN-like.
F wing had no queues though.
F wing had no queues though.
Mar 19, 2022, 4:38 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 1,672
Mar 19, 2022, 4:44 am
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Mar 19, 2022, 4:52 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 1,105
Wouldn’t say there was chaos, Saturday mornings have just become extremely busy. It’s clear that travel patterns have changed as countries have reopened and the percentage of direct LHR customers vs transfers has changed which means it’s a lot busier at check-in. Add in the Covid-19 checks that some countries still require and it will naturally be slower and appear busier.
This is not unique to BA, QR on a daily basis has extreme queues due to doc checks and in T3 Virgin has had to be given desks in another zone for selected flights.
This is not unique to BA, QR on a daily basis has extreme queues due to doc checks and in T3 Virgin has had to be given desks in another zone for selected flights.
Last edited by SpeedbirdLHR; Mar 19, 2022 at 5:02 am
Mar 19, 2022, 5:01 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 604
The crazy thing is it's not even a holiday period. The staff both BA and LHR have been excellent in assisting passengers to keep it flowing. I spoke to a lovely couple at baggage check-in and we had a few laughs to pass the time.
Mar 19, 2022, 5:02 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 1,109
For some people ‘chaos’ is just lack of the immediate or horror of horrors having to wait a while! As I have said on other threads airlines and airports are recovering from a torrid two years. It will take time for everything to get back up to speed.
In recent weeks the negativity on here has become almost painful! I think I need to absent myself a while as it’s getting me down!
In recent weeks the negativity on here has become almost painful! I think I need to absent myself a while as it’s getting me down!
Mar 19, 2022, 5:03 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Hampshire, UK & Bangor, N.I
Programs: BA Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 238
It looked like hell on earth if you had to drop a bag. Both non status and even Club/Silver were queued right back to the entrance doors.
First Wing looked ok for needing to turn left.
After that the rest isn’t great at all.
Table service ordering suspended. Instead you have to queue like in a school canteen, shout what you want when reaching the front and queue again, until what you hope is your order is thrown at you.
First Wing looked ok for needing to turn left.
After that the rest isn’t great at all.
Table service ordering suspended. Instead you have to queue like in a school canteen, shout what you want when reaching the front and queue again, until what you hope is your order is thrown at you.
Mar 19, 2022, 5:05 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,591
Where does busy end and chaos begin? I struggled to walk past the many people queuing between the HEX lift exit and the First Wing. Felt chaotic to me, but appreciate it could also be described as very (very very very) busy.
Good for BA. Hope I'll see that in the IAG share price soon. Though many people in the Club queue looked very annoyed. So BA should not count on all of them returning.
Good for BA. Hope I'll see that in the IAG share price soon. Though many people in the Club queue looked very annoyed. So BA should not count on all of them returning.
Last edited by LCY8737; Mar 19, 2022 at 5:31 am
Mar 19, 2022, 5:36 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Hampshire, UK & Bangor, N.I
Programs: BA Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 238
Oh and heaven forbid aircraft actually would like to depart on time.
Initially told getting us onboard was delayed due to ‘late arriving aircraft’. Which simply isn’t true as it’d arrived 15 mins early on its previous sector…
Now, 40 mins after scheduled departure time were in a queue of 4 aircraft waiting for what feels like the single communal T5 pushback tug.
Staffing cut right back to the bone, I do feel for those holding the fort!
Initially told getting us onboard was delayed due to ‘late arriving aircraft’. Which simply isn’t true as it’d arrived 15 mins early on its previous sector…
Now, 40 mins after scheduled departure time were in a queue of 4 aircraft waiting for what feels like the single communal T5 pushback tug.
Staffing cut right back to the bone, I do feel for those holding the fort!
Mar 19, 2022, 6:06 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,621
Talk is of Covid cases reaching 300K at the moment, 50% higher than the peak of Omnicron, and while the masks are off and they're not publicising it, people are still phoning in sick, so I guess it's a lack of staff..