First class lounge access at LHR upon arrival?
Mar 5, 2024, 5:10 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,141
Trip 2 is at the end of May, and Trip 1 is early June.
I am sorry to ask, but what is "The First Wing" and how does it facilitate security screening in comparison to the "normal" fast-track to which I am accustomed as a (typical) business class passenger on BA? (You can probably infer this is my first time traveling F on BA!)
Thanks again!
I am sorry to ask, but what is "The First Wing" and how does it facilitate security screening in comparison to the "normal" fast-track to which I am accustomed as a (typical) business class passenger on BA? (You can probably infer this is my first time traveling F on BA!)
Thanks again!
Mar 5, 2024, 5:19 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Programs: UA, AA, DL, BA, Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Hyatt
Posts: 1,300
The First Wing is a specialized fast track at LHR for certain passengers (people flying in F, BA Gold + higher members and other Oneworld Emerald status holders). Your separate ticket probably would not get you in here, since you wouldn't have an onward F ticket, but others may know otherwise.
But If I travel on the same ticket, say IAH to LHR in F, continuing LHR to DUS in J, would I be able to use the First Wing as I head toward my connecting flight to DUS?
Mar 5, 2024, 5:30 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Glasgow, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 663
Ive only used TFW by virtue of Gold status, but this thread from last year Can I use T5 First wing? Arriving F, long layover, want to see London would suggest access is fine if arriving inbound from F connecting to a same-day short-haul flight. Youd need to keep your inbound F boarding pass to prove eligibility.
Not sure whether separate versus connecting tickets matter in this context but hopefully others with experience of this scenario can chime in.
Not sure whether separate versus connecting tickets matter in this context but hopefully others with experience of this scenario can chime in.
Mar 5, 2024, 10:07 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Programs: UA, AA, DL, BA, Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Hyatt
Posts: 1,300
Ive only used TFW by virtue of Gold status, but this thread from last year Can I use T5 First wing? Arriving F, long layover, want to see London would suggest access is fine if arriving inbound from F connecting to a same-day short-haul flight. Youd need to keep your inbound F boarding pass to prove eligibility.
Not sure whether separate versus connecting tickets matter in this context but hopefully others with experience of this scenario can chime in.
Not sure whether separate versus connecting tickets matter in this context but hopefully others with experience of this scenario can chime in.
Mar 5, 2024, 11:20 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BCN
Programs: BA GGL, IB, LH, IHG Gold
Posts: 583
There is a fast-track for connections at T5 on the far right of the connections hall. Although its called fast-track it is only Heathrow-fast at the moment, so some travellers do prefer to go out through passport control and back up through the First Wing. The new scanners being installed should speed up considerably both fast-track connections and TFW.
Mar 7, 2024, 5:25 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Programs: UA, AA, DL, BA, Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Hyatt
Posts: 1,300
There is a fast-track for connections at T5 on the far right of the connections hall. Although its called fast-track it is only Heathrow-fast at the moment, so some travellers do prefer to go out through passport control and back up through the First Wing. The new scanners being installed should speed up considerably both fast-track connections and TFW.
Mar 7, 2024, 5:40 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 343
Thank you both very much. I would appreciate clarification on one more question related to Concorde room access. I will be traveling twice through LHR in the next few weeks, each time flying in F from IAH to LHR and connecting in LHR in J towards another destination. But the circumstances are somewhat different after that. I will describe my two trips below and would like to kindly ask if I will have access to the Concorde Lounge each time and, if not, what other options would be available:
Trip 1:
IAH to LHR on BA in F arriving T5
LHR to MAN on BA in J, separate ticket, departing T5
No checked bags; will have to exit customs & passport control area and re-enter post-security (airside) as if I my trip originated locally, in London.
After re-entering the post-security area, would I have access to the Concord Room? If not, what other lounges are accessible?
Trip 1:
IAH to LHR on BA in F arriving T5
LHR to MAN on BA in J, separate ticket, departing T5
No checked bags; will have to exit customs & passport control area and re-enter post-security (airside) as if I my trip originated locally, in London.
After re-entering the post-security area, would I have access to the Concord Room? If not, what other lounges are accessible?
Mar 7, 2024, 11:21 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,398
IME it doesnt matter - you just tell the entrance clerk I just came off in First and Im connecting and show the F boarding pass and no issues.
Mar 8, 2024, 1:02 am
#24
Join Date: May 2019
Location: FL390 or the iron way
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 1,864
There is a fast-track for connections at T5 on the far right of the connections hall. Although its called fast-track it is only Heathrow-fast at the moment, so some travellers do prefer to go out through passport control and back up through the First Wing. The new scanners being installed should speed up considerably both fast-track connections and TFW.
I'd go via landside and the First Wing in most cases, even though it's admittedly a shorter walk if you go via Flight Connections.
Mar 8, 2024, 2:56 am
#25
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,244
The first wing security access is, or should be, available to anyone admissible to Galleries First, whether by status, guesting, or class of travel (inbound or outbound).
May 6, 2024, 10:07 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Programs: UA, AA, DL, BA, Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Hyatt
Posts: 1,300
Hi everyone,
Now that the First Wing has opened, I want to ask if I would have access to it under the following travel scenario:
- IAH to LHR in First
- Exit security area, enter the UK through passport control at T5
- Re-enter security area at T5 through the First Wing
- Use the Concord room
- Continue LHR to CGN in J.
Thank you!
Now that the First Wing has opened, I want to ask if I would have access to it under the following travel scenario:
- IAH to LHR in First
- Exit security area, enter the UK through passport control at T5
- Re-enter security area at T5 through the First Wing
- Use the Concord room
- Continue LHR to CGN in J.
Thank you!
May 6, 2024, 10:10 am
#27
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 43,343
Hi everyone,
Now that the First Wing has opened, I want to ask if I would have access to it under the following travel scenario:
- IAH to LHR in First
- Exit security area, enter the UK through passport control at T5
- Re-enter security area at T5 through the First Wing
- Use the Concord room
- Continue LHR to CGN in J.
Thank you!
Now that the First Wing has opened, I want to ask if I would have access to it under the following travel scenario:
- IAH to LHR in First
- Exit security area, enter the UK through passport control at T5
- Re-enter security area at T5 through the First Wing
- Use the Concord room
- Continue LHR to CGN in J.
Thank you!
May 6, 2024, 11:23 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Programs: UA, AA, DL, BA, Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Hyatt
Posts: 1,300