State of Schiphol for BA (to LHR) queues etc?
Apr 28, 2022, 5:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: AMS/LON
Programs: BAEC Silver, TK Gold, Eurostar CB, FB Explorer
Posts: 242
State of Schiphol for BA (to LHR) queues etc?
Hi all
Flying from Schiphol (my home airport) tomorrow for the first time in a while. Dutch TV news and forums are full of glum reports about terrible queues.
Has anyone travelled to London with BA (with fast track/ premium security/Privium) in the last week or so? Trying to work out a realistic time for arrival - (eg if the queues are for security intra-Schengen, non fast track, etc, or if it's a basket case completely, so need to allow the 5 hours that news reports are stating)
Will have baggage to check and a child in tow.
Regards
Happy in the air
Flying from Schiphol (my home airport) tomorrow for the first time in a while. Dutch TV news and forums are full of glum reports about terrible queues.
Has anyone travelled to London with BA (with fast track/ premium security/Privium) in the last week or so? Trying to work out a realistic time for arrival - (eg if the queues are for security intra-Schengen, non fast track, etc, or if it's a basket case completely, so need to allow the 5 hours that news reports are stating)
Will have baggage to check and a child in tow.
Regards
Happy in the air
Apr 28, 2022, 5:56 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,921
Hi
there is a thread on the klm forum called
Mess in Amsterdam today
the latest posts suggest that privium may not be fully functioning or difficult to access with the numbers of pax.
Situation made worse by a temp strike by klm staff at the weekend and runway maintenance.
Will post a link after lunch.
Link is
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-...dam-today.html
Regards
Tbs
there is a thread on the klm forum called
Mess in Amsterdam today
the latest posts suggest that privium may not be fully functioning or difficult to access with the numbers of pax.
Situation made worse by a temp strike by klm staff at the weekend and runway maintenance.
Will post a link after lunch.
Link is
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-...dam-today.html
Regards
Tbs
Last edited by The _Banking_Scot; Apr 28, 2022 at 6:18 am
Apr 28, 2022, 6:16 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 160
Experience from yesterday morning (the 07:50 flight to LHR). BA check-in was ok (although we had an individual issue keeping us at the checking desk from 06:00 to 06:45). Security lines where awful (all the way back to the BA check-in desks!). In my security lane literally all bags went trough secundary screening and from what I could see it was the same at other lanes as well. Without Privium I wouldn't have made the flight (got at the D16 gate without any stops from check-in desk just as boarding started). The flight was delayed 30 mins to wait for other passengers.
Apr 28, 2022, 6:58 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,908
Didn't check a bag but I flew to LHR from AMS with BA mid afternoon on 15th April. Security fast track was a breeze. One in front of me. To be fair, the normal queue wasn't significant either.
Passports - with a UK passport leaving AMS, we were able to use the automated machines and there is a desk just after the machines where you can get your passport stamped if required.
Just bag check I can't help with
Passports - with a UK passport leaving AMS, we were able to use the automated machines and there is a desk just after the machines where you can get your passport stamped if required.
Just bag check I can't help with
Apr 28, 2022, 7:41 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: The Hague/London
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, BA LTG, Hilton Diamond, FB Platinum, EK Gold
Posts: 366
Flew out last Sunday evening AMS-LHR with BA. Security was very very busy, thankfully I have Privium which has been a blessing on many occasions.
Priority security was busier than usual, but doable. BA lounge still not open and Aspire and Privium lounge both close at 21.00. With the 21.20 flight very much delayed you are left with no options at all. Delayed departure and got into LHR around 23.00, so about 1,5 hours delay.
I would leave enough time at Schiphol, they are very much understaffed and combined with school holidays and runways under maintenance has led to massive delays and many people missing flights.
Priority security was busier than usual, but doable. BA lounge still not open and Aspire and Privium lounge both close at 21.00. With the 21.20 flight very much delayed you are left with no options at all. Delayed departure and got into LHR around 23.00, so about 1,5 hours delay.
I would leave enough time at Schiphol, they are very much understaffed and combined with school holidays and runways under maintenance has led to massive delays and many people missing flights.
Apr 28, 2022, 7:43 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: The Hague/London
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, BA LTG, Hilton Diamond, FB Platinum, EK Gold
Posts: 366
No, Privium is a separate program, uses iris scanning technology, you need to be screened and visit border control to get enrolled, but is very useful as it allows quick border passage by using the iris scans. Not sure it now has added value for a British passport holder since Brexit as you would still need additional checks.
Apr 28, 2022, 7:49 am
#9
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,619
No, Privium is a separate program, uses iris scanning technology, you need to be screened and visit border control to get enrolled, but is very useful as it allows quick border passage by using the iris scans. Not sure it now has added value for a British passport holder since Brexit as you would still need additional checks.
I used to have Privium when I was a regular at AMS... it save me a lot of time (and a fortune in wine at the lounge)
Apr 28, 2022, 9:38 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Amsterdam and London
Programs: Mucci Platinum Hairbrush des Bonnes Nouvelles. BA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, AA LTS, KL LTPt, Easy Flight Club
Posts: 378
There is normal fast-rack as well as Privium but it isn't always that fast.
Passed through early this week and no issues when using Privium although some long lines for non-status / non-Privium pax. The actual iris scanning booths were not working but we were ushered to the front of the very long line at passport control. BA lounge indeed still closed. Privium airside working fine and very quiet at 2030h and the staff were (politely) clear that they would close on the dot of 21h.
Passed through early this week and no issues when using Privium although some long lines for non-status / non-Privium pax. The actual iris scanning booths were not working but we were ushered to the front of the very long line at passport control. BA lounge indeed still closed. Privium airside working fine and very quiet at 2030h and the staff were (politely) clear that they would close on the dot of 21h.
Last edited by Fritz; Apr 28, 2022 at 9:45 am Reason: duplication
Apr 28, 2022, 11:56 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, BA Silver, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 486
I’m flying tommorow too from AMS(-LHR-ORD) and therefore needed a doc check. I went to Schiphol just now and they checked me in/did the doc check/issued BP, in case anyone is in this situation and travelling HBO.
Last edited by CarefreeBA; Apr 28, 2022 at 12:20 pm Reason: spelling
Apr 28, 2022, 12:37 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,287
Although I am not travelling - just for those travelling with BA and have flights cancelled, possibly missing connection - just take note that Aviapartner is NOT the ticketing agent for BA at AMS anymore - so you might possibly be requested to call BA for alternative arrangements as there is basically no other 3rd party available for ticketing now at AMS.
I do not know under what circumstances Aviapartner will help in irrops situations - as they have even moved their counter from Hall 3 to Hall 1.
I found this out 2 weeks ago when I wanted to make some changes to my ticket.
Cheers!
I do not know under what circumstances Aviapartner will help in irrops situations - as they have even moved their counter from Hall 3 to Hall 1.
I found this out 2 weeks ago when I wanted to make some changes to my ticket.
Cheers!
Apr 29, 2022, 12:46 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: BAEC GGL, KLM Flying Blue Gold, IHG Platinum, HIlton Diamond, Shangri-La Diamond, Marriot Gold
Posts: 24
Am at Schiphol now, it’s getting busier. I have Privium so from checkin to passing passport check took 20 minutes - took a lot of sorry, excuse mes to get to the Privium gate
Apr 29, 2022, 1:35 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,670