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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 Sep 20, 2013, 7:49 am
  #826  
 
Join Date: May 2012
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Great advise Rwoman, as always.

Does anyone have an experience and the Virgin Atlantic 747 JFK LHR?



Originally Posted by rwoman
DL only flies 763s (modified) and 764s to/from LHR. I prefer DL lie flat seats over AF or KL. They do not currently fly A330s to/from LHR and only a couple of A330s have been modified; I do not like the old angled seats on this a/c.

You could always fly into LHR, stay in London, then to CDG/Paris, and then home.

As far as OpUps, there are never any guarantees.
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Old Sep 20, 2013, 7:45 pm
  #827  
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Originally Posted by Teamstone
Great advise Rwoman, as always.

Does anyone have an experience and the Virgin Atlantic 747 JFK LHR?
I have not seen any posts in the DL forum on this a/c. I'd check the Virgin Atlantic thread.

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Old Sep 21, 2013, 8:04 am
  #828  
stc
 
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Originally Posted by Teamstone
Great advise Rwoman, as always.

Does anyone have an experience and the Virgin Atlantic 747 JFK LHR?
Last I flew it (which was a couple of years ago), it was wonderful in UpperClass. Virgin (and BA too) both have the rep of treating Coach passengers as third class citizens - Virgin somewhat more so than BA. Given the mess-up with lack of lounge privileges (even though I'm a paid SkyClub member) and advance seat assignments, I won't be trying it until Delta and Virgin get their act together.
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Old Sep 23, 2013, 11:06 am
  #829  
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
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No seat assignment

I am taking DL38 on Saturday. I no longer have any status with DL. I do not have a seat assigned and there are only 3 middle seats to choose from toward the back of the plane. Will I have more seat choices at T-24 or should I buy the $199 Smart Traver Pack to be able to possibly get an exit row?
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Old Sep 23, 2013, 11:54 am
  #830  
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Originally Posted by NWDLCOAAUA
I am taking DL38 on Saturday. I no longer have any status with DL. I do not have a seat assigned and there are only 3 middle seats to choose from toward the back of the plane. Will I have more seat choices at T-24 or should I buy the $199 Smart Traver Pack to be able to possibly get an exit row?
Looking at this flight, the following seats are still open:

Preferred:
22G
23C
24C, 24E
25A, 25C
26F

Regular:
39D, 39F, 39G

The exit row is currently booked. The only seats typically blocked for airport assignment are 19CDE and 30CDE.

All seats have AVOD. Rows 15-24 have a power outlet (accomodates US, EU plug) that typically works IME. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-aircraft.html

Preferred seats typically open for non-status pax 2-3 hours before departure; this can be monitored via the app.

Whether or not spending $199 is worth it is really up to you.
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Old Sep 23, 2013, 1:09 pm
  #831  
 
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Originally Posted by stc
Last I flew it (which was a couple of years ago), it was wonderful in UpperClass. Virgin (and BA too) both have the rep of treating Coach passengers as third class citizens - Virgin somewhat more so than BA. Given the mess-up with lack of lounge privileges (even though I'm a paid SkyClub member) and advance seat assignments, I won't be trying it until Delta and Virgin get their act together.
I flew VS a few weeks ago in coach and had no issues. And I had no issues getting an advanced seat assignment on the VS segment. And unlike Delta, they gave me a fast track immigration card when I politely asked and mentioned I'm DL PM.
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Old Sep 23, 2013, 8:36 pm
  #832  
 
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Originally Posted by rwoman
BA flies from both T3 and T5 (mostly T5). As DL offers the Yotel as an arrivals lounge, I am not sure the VS Clubhouse would let you in on that BP.
They offered me 2 hrs at the Yotel instead of the usual 1 hr. I asked if this was a change and the receptionist said they sometimes do this on an unbusy Sunday but that policy may have changed, too. Anyway, it was a nice surprise that I didn't ask for.

Transiting to T3 using the link train was a breeze and security lines short in T3. Must travel sundays more often.
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Old Sep 23, 2013, 8:39 pm
  #833  
 
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FAQ: Flying to London on DL

I was given two hours at the Yotel on a recent Saturday and that was presented as the normal amount of time.
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Old Sep 23, 2013, 9:17 pm
  #834  
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Originally Posted by Yahtzee
I was given two hours at the Yotel on a recent Saturday and that was presented as the normal amount of time.
Last year when I used Yotel I was only given an hour as a PM flying in coach (not sure if status or cabin matters). I took a shower and laid down for a few and they called at exactly an hour to the "room" to tell me the hour was up.
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Old Sep 23, 2013, 9:33 pm
  #835  
 
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Originally Posted by realjd
I flew VS a few weeks ago in coach and had no issues. And I had no issues getting an advanced seat assignment on the VS segment. And unlike Delta, they gave me a fast track immigration card when I politely asked and mentioned I'm DL PM.
Whom did you ask for the fast track card? I'm flying VS JFK-LHR in Premium Economy on October 8, returning on October 23.

Was there any sort of arrival lounge or Yotel for use by medallions?

Does anyone know anything about the possibilities for OpUps for Delta medallions? Would we even be eligible if economy and PE were overbooked?

I'll report back on my experiences.
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Old Sep 24, 2013, 1:05 pm
  #836  
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Originally Posted by jamesteroh
Last year when I used Yotel I was only given an hour as a PM flying in coach (not sure if status or cabin matters). I took a shower and laid down for a few and they called at exactly an hour to the "room" to tell me the hour was up.
I've always been J and was DM til this year, and 1 hour was the normal maximum time. This really is a change, actually, because looking back at my tickets, this isn't the first time I've arrived on a Sunday. I didn't quite stay the 2 hours, but it was very nice to have the extra time.
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Old Sep 24, 2013, 1:08 pm
  #837  
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Originally Posted by jamesteroh
Last year when I used Yotel I was only given an hour as a PM flying in coach (not sure if status or cabin matters). I took a shower and laid down for a few and they called at exactly an hour to the "room" to tell me the hour was up.
Originally Posted by NotHamSarnie
I've always been J and was DM til this year, and 1 hour was the normal maximum time. This really is a change, actually, because looking back at my tickets, this isn't the first time I've arrived on a Sunday. I didn't quite stay the 2 hours, but it was very nice to have the extra time.
IME, the use of the Yotel as an arrivals lounge has always been an hour.
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Old Sep 24, 2013, 1:43 pm
  #838  
 
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I was once offered two hours, on a weekday. The other half dozen visits were the standard offer of one hour.
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Old Sep 24, 2013, 3:30 pm
  #839  
 
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Originally Posted by CarmenOM
Whom did you ask for the fast track card? I'm flying VS JFK-LHR in Premium Economy on October 8, returning on October 23.

Was there any sort of arrival lounge or Yotel for use by medallions?

Does anyone know anything about the possibilities for OpUps for Delta medallions? Would we even be eligible if economy and PE were overbooked?

I'll report back on my experiences.
Toward the end of the flight, I flagged down a passing flight attendant and politely asked if I could get a fast track pass as a Delta platinum. She grabbed me one without hesitation. This was in regular Y.

Virgin has the Revivals Lounge in T3. I don't know about access because I was in a hurry when I landed and it wasn't open in the evening anyway (I was on VS018, the daytime EWR-LHR flight).

I don't know about op-ups. The flight I was on wasn't full.

I will say that Virgin's soft product was excellent but their hard product in Y was disappointing. The legroom was terrible and the plane felt worn and dirty. Flying DL in EC on the way home was much more pleasant. I would like to try the other cabins to compare though.
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Old Sep 25, 2013, 1:02 pm
  #840  
 
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Originally Posted by realjd
Toward the end of the flight, I flagged down a passing flight attendant and politely asked if I could get a fast track pass as a Delta platinum. She grabbed me one without hesitation. This was in regular Y.

Virgin has the Revivals Lounge in T3. I don't know about access because I was in a hurry when I landed and it wasn't open in the evening anyway (I was on VS018, the daytime EWR-LHR flight).

I don't know about op-ups. The flight I was on wasn't full.

I will say that Virgin's soft product was excellent but their hard product in Y was disappointing. The legroom was terrible and the plane felt worn and dirty. Flying DL in EC on the way home was much more pleasant. I would like to try the other cabins to compare though.
Thanks, realjd, it's helpful to be prepared with the fast track info.

I hope the PE is better than Y on VS. At least I'll get 150% MQM, whatever it's like!
CarmenOM is offline  


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