T5 First Wing
May 17, 2022, 9:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 59
T5 First Wing
Can anyone advise please? How long before my flight departs am I allowed to go airside via First Wing security at T5? I want to guest in the First lounge my friend whose BA flight departs a couple of hours before mine so it would mean me being allowed airside at least four hours before my departure. I know the lounge has no limit for the day but I imagine that’s designed mainly for people in transit. Can I actually spend a few hours there if I need to after coming airside. I check in online anyway and rarely bag drop so check in limitations don’t matter to me usually.
May 17, 2022, 9:45 am
#2
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,916
Can anyone advise please? How long before my flight departs am I allowed to go airside via First Wing security at T5? I want to guest in the First lounge my friend whose BA flight departs a couple of hours before mine so it would mean me being allowed airside at least four hours before my departure. I know the lounge has no limit for the day but I imagine that’s designed mainly for people in transit. Can I actually spend a few hours there if I need to after coming airside. I check in online anyway and rarely bag drop so check in limitations don’t matter to me usually.
May 17, 2022, 9:46 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,110
In theory you can check-in at 5am on the day of departure (that's when T5 opens) and stay as long as you wish. There's no published "time limit" per se and you'll be permitted airside also. Shouldn't be a problem at all. 
May 17, 2022, 9:47 am
#4
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,243
I imagine you can go airside as early as you like on the day of departure. Even people checking in luggage can do so as early as they wish at T5 unlike many out stations. You should have no problem with your plan.
May 18, 2022, 1:58 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,327
May 18, 2022, 3:00 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,981
I think the longest I have spent in there was five hours. I had already had a decadent lunch so I passed the time with work, lots of coffee and nursing a very large bowl of salad (I do miss the salad buffet).
May 18, 2022, 5:31 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 846
The salad buffet is back! It's in the self-service food area at the start of the dining area in GF. When I was in there the other week they also had some hot chicken wings and pies in that area, along with the salads and bread.
May 18, 2022, 6:22 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,421
