richarddd

We're going to be on BA177 LHR-JFK in J at 13:10 on a Tuesday from T5. If no checked bags and presuming we can do OLCI, when should we arrive at LHR? Is there a better fast track security? If we have a choice of lounges, which should we pick?

Apologies if these are frequent questions, but my searches didn't help.

mikeyfly

I'd arrive circa 2-2.5 hrs before. Straight through Fast Track security (the signs in the terminal will show you which one is quieter at any one time) and then a nose in the shops if you need, otherwise on the transit to B gates lounge, as you'll almost definitely be flying from B or C gates

rarelyfly23

I'm doing similar in the near future so thanks for posting!

richarddd

Where are the signs? The last time I was in T5 I didn't see them (and didn't know to look). Thinking back, we went left but there was some issue with our docs (we did OLCI) and we had to go to the one on the right because the one on the left didn't have any agents.

richarddd

For reference, B lounge location:


https://www.heathrow.com/content/dam...row_T5_Map.pdf

ijgordon

I think 1.5-2h is more than sufficient unless you want a lot of time for shopping or lounging.

For some reason I always have to do a passport check at a kiosk (or agent) before departing for the US, even if I have my mobile boarding pass - otherwise I get rejected at the Fast Track gates. But I don't think this was the case when flying UA from T2, so not sure if there's some other issue. So maybe factor in a few extra minutes for this.

richarddd

More than 2h does seem a lot of time.

I believe a passport check was the issue I referenced in #4 above. Good to know we can use kiosks. Otherwise, is there usually an agent near the T5 fast track gates on the right but not the ones on the left?

NWIFlyer

They're mounted just under ceiling level, and are supposed to pictorially show the queue lengths at North and South security by the number of stick people.

This would be really helpful, except they're manually adjusted and rarely updated. So basically, don't bother paying any attention to them.

richarddd

Does the passport scanner in the UA app deal with passport check issues?

ijgordon

Not sure - I usually end up at the North fast track (to the left when looking toward security) as that seems to be where the elevators from the HEX spit you out. There are check-in agents in that area (not directly near the FastTrack entrance), but I believe the business class agents are closer to the South security. But like I said, both times I was able to complete the passport check at a kiosk without agent intervention. Of course often half the kiosks are out of order and the other half are being used by first-time travelers.

Perhaps, I would be completely unsurprised that UA's technology is better than BA's. But I don't think I have to do anything special when doing OLCI ahead of a UA flight. I did have problems scanning my passport the first time in the app and I think I had to go see an agent at the gate (there was also a middle name mis-match), but I think that was ONCE, just the first flight with them on this passport.

richarddd

I see that today's version of BA177 was cancelled. If that happens, should I call (I have no BA status) or can you rebook in the app or online? If at the airport, where would one find an appropriate agent? Will BA rebook you on AA?

KARFA

you should get offered something in the cancellation email, but you can go on the disruption tool to accept that or pick something else. AA will be offered too. Calling and online are the two best options.

DXB2745

you really must not start panicking and thinking that as the flight was cancelled today it may be cancelled when I fly. It seems to be a common theme on here with people doing this for some strange reason. If it happens, options will be shown in the app. And yes BA will rebook on AA.
There are over 300 flights a day from LHR and unless some type of extenuating circumstance most do run. It usually around 7-15 a day cancelled anecdotally looking.

corporate-wage-slave

No, not for a BA flight. But the kiosks in T5 are so numerous they don't have a queue and it's possible to do the scan / get a printed boarding pass in 15 seconds or so. Choose passport,option enter JFK, scan passport and wait for the boarding pass. If no checked bags I would say 75 minutes is more than adequate, and I wouldn't be stressed if it got to 60 minutes. If you complete online check in the day before then the hard deadline is 36 minutes at the entry to security, though that is perhaps a little tight for a B gate departure (but still do-able).

richarddd

I'm just curious about BA's procedure since when I was looking for today's gate information I saw it was cancelled. Given the number of BA & AA flights LHR-JFK, there should be lots of options. I don't usually frequent the BA forum, so haven't seen the theme.

ETA: https://www.flightstats.com/v2/fligh...ing/BA/177/LHR