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Old Dec 19, 2014, 1:01 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: audidudi
LHR is a big place and terminals are not connected airside. Airside transfers are done by bus. Landside transfers can be made via the free Heathrow Connect train to T1/2/3. To get from T4 to T5, you can either take train and transfer at T1/2/3 or, depending on timing, use the local bus (free) from T4 to T5.



All Delta Flights depart from London Heathrow Terminal 3:
Check in for DL flights departing LHR T3 is in the same area of the terminal used by VS. This is the southside of the T3 check in area - if looking straight on at the building, go to the left. Business, DM, and PM can use the Upper Class Check in area.

Boston:
DL 58: BOS-LHR...A332.
DL 59: LHR-BOS...A332 (Arrives at Terminal E).

New York:
DL 401: JFK-LHR...A332.
DL 402: JFK-LHR...A332.
DL 403: JFK-LHR...A332.

DL1: LHR-JFK...A332.
DL2: LHR-JFK...A332.
DL3: LHR-JFK...A332.

Atlanta:
DL 30: ATL-LHR...A332.
DL 32: ATL-LHR...A333.

DL 31: LHR-ATL...A332.
DL 33: LHR-ATL...A333.

Detroit:
DL 16: DTW-LHR...A332.
DL 18: DTW-LHR...B763.

DL 17: LHR-DTW...A332.
DL 19: LHR-DTW...B763.

Minneapolis:
DL 10: MSP-LHR...B763.

DL 11: LHR-MSP...B763.

Philadelphia: No longer operates.
DL 194: PHL-LHR...75W.
DL 195: LHR-PHL...75W.

Seattle: Now operated by VS.
DL 4349: SEA-LHR...B789.
DL 4348: LHR-SEA...B789.

Some notes on seats: I have not discussed extensively, as it has been covered ad nauseam on the forum.

Comfort+ - LINK

764:
The J the configuration is 1-2-1. If traveling with a companion, the two middle seats work well, as they're next to each other. With the window seats, the seat console is between the passenger and the aisle on the odd seats, minimizing being bumped by someone in the aisle. Some people do not like the forward seats (1-3) due to galley noise while others like these seats for their privacy.

For Y seats, row 30 (exit row) has tons of space. Comfort+ are rows 15-18. Row 15 is the bulkhead C+ seat - opinions vary, but the legroom here is not as good as on the 763. Refer to the C+ FAQ for pictures.

763:
The 763s on this route are the modified a/c with lie flat J seats. The rows with C+ on the 76Ws typically used on LHR flights are 16-21.

DL Forum 763 Mod Tracking (lots of info on seats) - LINK

Beginning in spring 2018, many of Delta's B767 flights to London were switched to A330s instead, which is generally thought to be a more comfortable aircraft type, especially in business class.

Want to see London on approach to LHR?
If you want the chance to get a good look at London when landing @ LHR (assuming the weather cooperates), sit on the right side of the a/c. If winds dictate landing patterns over the city, you'll see it from this side. Pics from one of my landings.

Immigration & Baggage Collection @ LHR

The FA's will provide a landing card for those with non EU/EEA passports. If you're staying in the UK, you'll need the address (hotel, residence, etc.) for your landing card. Passport control will request the landing card and your passport.

Upon deplaning, you will head to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) checkpoint if remaining in the UK or follow the purple "flight connections" signage if you have an onward flight from any LHR terminal.

If you are connecting, refer to the Heathrow website for details on other terminals and specific flight connections.

When flying BE, the FA's hand out FastTrack passes, which often speed the process of entering the UK, the immigration queues can take a while.
  • T3: As you enter the immigration hall, the UK/EU desks are immediately to your left, keep going straight. The entry to the non-EU passport queue will be ahead on the left and FastTrack will be directly ahead. Keep an eye on the regular queue because it's often faster than FastTrack (more agents).
  • T4: If looking at the UKBA desks, the FastTrack lane has been moved to the center of the passport control area and is in between the EU and non-EU passport queues. In the absence of a FastTrack card, I try to be prompt in getting to passport control...closer to the front, the better!

**Also, be sure to have a copy of your itinerary with you as border agents sometimes ask for evidence of your planned departure from the UK.

Baggage:
After clearing passport control, pax head downstairs to collect their baggage (T3 or T4). LHR baggage is generally pretty good and the priority tags work most of the time^. There are cash machines, vending machines, and restrooms in the baggage hall.

Upon collecting baggage, pax pass through customs and then enter the arrivals hall. Booked taxi courier drivers are often waiting across from the exit doors.
  • T3: As you exit customs into the arrivals hall, follow the lane around - the ramp to the Underground and Heathrow Connect/Express will be on the left. Hotel bus shuttles (Hoppa bus) and the taxi rank are also to the left and outside.
  • T4: Go to the left for the Heathrow Connect/Express trains and go to the right for Underground trains (The Underground (AKA the Tube) is the cheapest way into London via the Piccadilly Line; Heathrow Connect to Paddington with a few stops in between is in the middle; the Heathrow Express is the most expensive direct service to Paddington). Rental car and limousine desks are to the right. Rental car and hotel shuttle buses (Hotel Hoppa) are outside of the terminal - follow posted signs.


Baggage storage is also available outside of security.
  • T3: Left Luggage is near the WH Smith in the arrivals hall.
  • T4: Exit to the right and it is across from the escalators that go down to the Tube station.
It currently costs 5GBP/item for 0-4 hours, 11GBP/item for 4-24 hours storage, and 5GBP/item for each additional 24 hours.

Lounges:

Arrivals @ LHR T3:

D1, DM, and PM can use the VS Revivals Lounge on the mezzanine level. Unlike with departures lounges, DM and PM are not allowed to bring a guest along to the Revivals Lounge (unless flying in D1/Upper Class).

Departures:

LHR T3: Delta One passengers, DMs, and PMs have access to the VS Clubhouse lounge. DMs and PMs may bring one guest who is traveling on the same flight. A 3rd party lounge (the "No. 1 Traveller" Lounge) is offered to GM traveling in economy or Premium Economy.


NOTE: Although the dl.com Sky Club Locations page states that Sky Club members get access to the SkyTeam lounge at LHR, I've had agents at the desk there tell me that my SC card does not matter and my ST Elite+ status is what gets me access unless flying in J.
FT Discussion:
Paid SC Member Denied Access to LHR Sky Team Lounge

Check in and security at LHR T4 (AF, KL, and other SkyTeam partners):
Check in for SkyPriority and J pax is at the desks used for SkyTeam pax.

As far as time for check in, Delta Check In Time Requirements. On that note, I have family (Medallions) who have checked in (with checked baggage) right at 60 minutes before the flight and made it through security and to the plane with a few minutes to spare.

FastTrack for the security checkpoint - The FT lane is to the left if looking at the main security queuing point. Pax flying in J can use FT. I have been able to use FT when flying in Y by showing my DM card. Not sure if it is the policy, but I last used it on March 2013 with no issue. Others have also reported success using the FT lane by showing their credentials.

NOTE: Increased security measures at LHR security checkpoints are creating delays - Email I received from DL LINK

If flying AF or KL from LHR, the latest check in time changes effective 1 Feb 2012: Changes to Latest Check-in Time at LHR on AF/KL
More discussion on London and the UK:
FT UK & Ireland Forum - LINK
UK Air Passenger Duty

DL paid ground transfer JFK-EWR/LGA on TATL flights - LINK

Delta and Virgin Atlantic (VS) Partnership:
dl.com: VIRGIN ATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP FAQS
FT thread: Delta Virgin Atlantic Partnership

NOTE: At LHR, DL and VS use T3 while other SkyTeam carriers use T4. These terminals are not connected air or landside.

VS Fare Classes:
VS fare classes do not align with DL fare classes. VS fare buckets:
Upper Class - J, C, D, I, Z, G (G is an award & upgrade fare class)
Premium Economy W, S, H, K, P
Economy Y, B, R, L, U, M, E, Q, X, V, N, O

Note that because Virgin Atlantic uses the same G fare class for both award tickets and upgrades, if using miles or GUCs to upgrade a Virgin Atlantic flight, it will be rebooked in G and may thus show up to Delta as ineligible for mileage earning with SkyMiles. This is incorrect, as upgraded tickets should earn miles based on the original coach ticket -- so if upgrading Virgin Atlantic flights, pay close attention to your SkyMiles earning and be ready to follow up with Delta to get the miles credited correctly.

dl.com - earning miles on VS (VS is a Tier 1 partner.): LINK

Medallion Benefits flying on VS (DM, PM, GM):
- Priority Check-In
- Priority Baggage Handling
- Priority Security
- Priority Boarding
- Baggage fee waiver for one additional piece up to 23kg (~50lbs)
- VS Clubhouse access with a same-day TATL flight on DL or VS (GMs: only at BOS/EWR/IAD/JFK/LAX/SFO, not LGW/LHR; PM have access at LGW, but not LHR unless in J; DM have access at LGW and LHR)

NOTE: VS J pax (and presumably Medallions) are now eligible for Fast Track security for connections, departures, and arrivals at LHR T3: LINK.

Clubhouse (Lounge) Access:

DL/VS J passengers get access to VS Clubhouse lounges at LGW/LHR and BOS/EWR/IAD/JFK/LAX/SFO with a same-day TATL flight on either DL or VS.

GM in W or Y have access to the BOS/EWR/IAD/JFK/LAX/SFO lounges but not LGW/LHR.

DM or PM in W or Y may use the LGW and LHR Clubhouse lounges as well as BOS/EWR/IAD/JFK/LAX/SFO, and may bring 1 guest traveling on the same flight with them.

DM/PM/GM in W or Y at LHR T3 have access to "No. 1 Traveller" lounge instead of, (for DMs in addition to), the VS Clubhouse.

LHR T3:
al330729's pics from the VS Clubhouse at LHR T3 - LINK

JFK:
As a DM flying JFK-LHR, I was able to use the VS Clubhouse at JFK. For pics, please see:
- Lounge - LINK
- Food - LINK
- Showers/Spa - LINK

VS Revivals (Arrivals) Lounge at LHR T3:
alee0729 had no issues accessing the VS Revivals Lounge following a DL arrival into T3. Shower pic - LINK

On Dec. 21, 2013, I stopped by the Revivals Lounge to get clarification on access for DL Medallion members. Per the agent, only pax flying Upper Class (Business) can currently access the lounge due to space issues; DL Medallion status does not = access. This may change once some DL flights start using T3 in Spring 2014.

Upgrading on VS-Operated Flights:
Virgin Atlantic Code Share Flight Questions
Using SM to Upgrade on VS

Access to Extra Leg Room Seats / Exit Rows on VS-operated Flights:
Possible Improvements to the DL-VS Relationship
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FAQ: Flying to London on DL

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Old Nov 10, 2017, 8:47 am
  #1576  
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Originally Posted by bgriff
Flying out of Boston: If you are on the Delta flight, yes you will arrive from DTW in Delta's terminal A and also depart from there. Assuming you go through Boston on the way back, you will arrive at terminal E (the only terminal with international arrivals capabilities) and will then have to take the shuttle bus or walk across the parking garages to get back to Delta's terminal A for connections.

And yes the other person should be able to access the Clubhouse with you, and I think you should be able to bring him through the Upper Class security lane -- doesn't hurt to try anyway.
Thanks! If I have enough time to access the club house during my layover will they allow me into the E terminal with a boarding pass for Delta or is it restricted to international travel only? I'm also thinking if I have enough time I'd like to access the Clubhouse on my departure flight as well since I have a two hour layover at BOS

When I flew out of LHR in July I remembered I had to scan my boarding pass to get the door to open up at security so hopefully there is an employee around to help me get him through security with me.
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Old Nov 10, 2017, 8:50 am
  #1577  
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Originally Posted by jamesteroh
Thanks! If I have enough time to access the club house during my layover will they allow me into the E terminal with a boarding pass for Delta or is it restricted to international travel only? I'm also thinking if I have enough time I'd like to access the Clubhouse on my departure flight as well since I have a two hour layover at BOS

When I flew out of LHR in July I remembered I had to scan my boarding pass to get the door to open up at security so hopefully there is an employee around to help me get him through security with me.
You are correct about scanning your boarding pass in LHR, but once the door is open ... any number of people can walk through ........ it's not a turnstile.

In BOS it really would not be worth going to the VS Clubhouse on the way out ... you would have to exit A, walk across the parking garage, clear security at E, go to the club, then go back and reclear security at A afterwards. The BOS Clubhouse is not one of the best, it is in the basement and has no natural light or windows. Plus you would surely confuse the VS Clubhouse employees greatly. Similar on your way back, and keep in mind the Clubhouse has very limited hours around the VS flight departure so there's a good chance it wouldn't even be open.
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Old Nov 10, 2017, 11:47 am
  #1578  
 
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In D1 to LHR, do they automatically hand out the passes for FastTrack, or do we need to ask for them?
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Old Nov 10, 2017, 11:58 am
  #1579  
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
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On my last trip I was handed out a FastTrack pass (that still says Terminal 4, so a bit out of date) and a flyer/invite to the VS Arrivals lounge.
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Old Nov 10, 2017, 12:14 pm
  #1580  
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Originally Posted by kchoya
In D1 to LHR, do they automatically hand out the passes for FastTrack, or do we need to ask for them?
You don't need to ask. They either bring them around during final approach, or sometimes even set them out on the consoles next to the seat along with the amenity kits and headphones before boarding.
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Old Nov 10, 2017, 12:37 pm
  #1581  
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Originally Posted by bgriff
You are correct about scanning your boarding pass in LHR, but once the door is open ... any number of people can walk through ........ it's not a turnstile.

In BOS it really would not be worth going to the VS Clubhouse on the way out ... you would have to exit A, walk across the parking garage, clear security at E, go to the club, then go back and reclear security at A afterwards. The BOS Clubhouse is not one of the best, it is in the basement and has no natural light or windows. Plus you would surely confuse the VS Clubhouse employees greatly. Similar on your way back, and keep in mind the Clubhouse has very limited hours around the VS flight departure so there's a good chance it wouldn't even be open.
Good point, I didn't think about having to there and walk back on the departure flight.

Only reason I was thinking of using the Clubhouse was if they had a good food spread like at LHR. The BOS clubs are decent (just wish they had a shower)
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Old Nov 10, 2017, 1:52 pm
  #1582  
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Originally Posted by C W
^

Note that Clubhouse guests must be traveling on the same flight. Same reservation is not required.
Not same flight, but VS/DL to/from UK.

I was flying LHR/LAX and friend LHR/JFK. Had no issue guesting him in.
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Old Nov 20, 2017, 2:56 pm
  #1583  
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Hi all,

Just booked LHR-LAX-SAN-MSP-LHR, flying VS to LAX. Normally, I've had no issue with getting access to seats on VS without paying (as a DM). Tonight, the VS site kept wanting to charge me for the exit or most other seats.

I called VS. While my DL SkyMiles number transferred over, my date of birth did not, which caused the issue. The VS agent updated the reservation and I got a seat (free!) with no issue.

Happy flying!

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Old Nov 21, 2017, 4:29 am
  #1584  
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
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First some datapoints: Flew DTW-LHR in Y on Saturday, a few notes:
- No matter what any Delta staff tells you, there is no expedited security for PM/DM flying in Delta Coach.
- PM/DM CAN bring a guest into the Revivals Lounge for a 30 GBP fee. We didn't take them up on this as our hotel had confirmed our early check-in and 30GBP for breakfast didn't seem worth it.

Questions:
- We fly back tomorrow LHR-MSP in Y on Delta metal. As a PM what are my options as far as check-in? Are there sky priority security lanes in T3 or only in the Upper Class Wing?
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 4:31 am
  #1585  
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Originally Posted by shipitkthx
First some datapoints: Flew DTW-LHR in Y on Saturday, a few notes:
- No matter what any Delta staff tells you, there is no expedited security for PM/DM flying in Delta Coach.
- PM/DM CAN bring a guest into the Revivals Lounge for a 30 GBP fee. We didn't take them up on this as our hotel had confirmed our early check-in and 30GBP for breakfast didn't seem worth it.
What do you mean there is no expedited security? Of course you get Sky Priority in DTW. Do you mean there is no Fast Track immigration at LHR?
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 4:33 am
  #1586  
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Originally Posted by shipitkthx
First some datapoints: Flew DTW-LHR in Y on Saturday, a few notes:
- No matter what any Delta staff tells you, there is no expedited security for PM/DM flying in Delta Coach.
- PM/DM CAN bring a guest into the Revivals Lounge for a 30 GBP fee. We didn't take them up on this as our hotel had confirmed our early check-in and 30GBP for breakfast didn't seem worth it.

Questions:
- We fly back tomorrow LHR-MSP in Y on Delta metal. As a PM what are my options as far as check-in? Are there sky priority security lanes in T3 or only in the Upper Class Wing?
There's no such thing as SP lane at T3. DL uses the VS UC wing for D1 checkin. Either get dropped of directly or enter through the door by scanning your ticket or buzzing the buzzer.
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 4:34 am
  #1587  
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Originally Posted by shipitkthx
First some datapoints: Flew DTW-LHR in Y on Saturday, a few notes:
- No matter what any Delta staff tells you, there is no expedited security for PM/DM flying in Delta Coach.
- PM/DM CAN bring a guest into the Revivals Lounge for a 30 GBP fee. We didn't take them up on this as our hotel had confirmed our early check-in and 30GBP for breakfast didn't seem worth it.

Questions:
- We fly back tomorrow LHR-MSP in Y on Delta metal. As a PM what are my options as far as check-in? Are there sky priority security lanes in T3 or only in the Upper Class Wing?
There's no such thing as SP lane at T3. DL uses the VS UC wing for D1 checkin. Either get dropped of directly or enter through the door by scanning your ticket or buzzing the buzzer.
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 4:36 am
  #1588  
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
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Originally Posted by C W
What do you mean there is no expedited security? Of course you get Sky Priority in DTW. Do you mean there is no Fast Track immigration at LHR?
Yes, sorry for the confusion. You do not get Fast Track at LHR. I find it extremely odd that Delta PMs get this benefit on VS but not DL, seems weird to get better benefits flying a partner. I felt the need to point it out because Delta CSRs seem absolutely clueless on the issue, both phone and twitter support told me otherwise before departure.
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 4:40 am
  #1589  
 
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Originally Posted by flyerCO
There's no such thing as SP lane at T3. DL uses the VS UC wing for D1 checkin. Either get dropped of directly or enter through the door by scanning your ticket or buzzing the buzzer.
My question was regarding flying in Y on Delta. Am I correct in assuming that I have no priority benefits? (I go through the same entrance and security lanes as someone with no status at all?)
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Old Nov 21, 2017, 4:44 am
  #1590  
C W
 
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Originally Posted by shipitkthx
My question was regarding flying in Y on Delta. Am I correct in assuming that I have no priority benefits? (I go through the same entrance and security lanes as someone with no status at all?)
If you are PM or DM you and a companion can use the entire Upper Class Wing, including private security, immigration, and the Clubhouse. No fee for 1 Clubhouse guest.
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