separate tickets Delta baggage transfer at London Heathrow (LHR)
Mar 24, 2019, 9:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: Delta Gold, SPG/MR Platinum P Elite, Hyatt Globalist,
Posts: 5
separate tickets Delta baggage transfer at London Heathrow (LHR)
Hi! I am making a connection via LHR next week: from the U.S. on a Delta ticket, to Paris on an Air France ticket on the same day. Can someone please advise if Delta is going to transfer my luggage all the way through (to Paris)? Or, do I need to go through immigration, reclaim my luggage, go through customs, re-check my bags at the AF counter and then go through immigration and security again?
I would really appreciate any advice...thank you.
I would really appreciate any advice...thank you.
Mar 24, 2019, 3:04 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LHR / BHX / MAN / ATL
Programs: DL DM 2MM - IHG Diamond
Posts: 4,053
FlyerCO is correct. This is def true for partner airlines, but I've also been successful when I've requested my bags be interlined with BA at LHR.
I'm going to answer a question that you haven't asked yet. You need to allow plenty of time for a separate ticket connection at LHR that involves changing terminals. You will be arriving at T3 and departing from T4. These terminals are not physically connected in any way, and are actually quite far apart. If you don't want to go through immigration and want to make an airside connection, there is an airside shuttle bus service at LHR. It isn't very quick. For my last last transfer similar to yours (T4 to T5) at LHR, I had three hours and that was the bare minimum that I would suggest. LHR is notorious for delays in the mornings when the TATL flights arrive. It is not uncommon to circle for a while before being allowed to land. The shuttle itself takes a lot more time than you would think (NOTHING like the JFK T2 to T4 shuttle) and you will need to go through security again when you arrive at T4. All of those things add up, and if something goes awry, neither DL nor AF is obligated to assist you. So leave yourself plenty of time.
BTW, if you are ST Elite+ (DL GM or higher) you will have access to the SkyTeam lounge in T4. If you allow yourself plenty of time for the connection and if you don't need all that time, this is a pretty decent lounge to hang out in. It generally has good food. I'm not sure if there are showers - others can confirm.
I'm going to answer a question that you haven't asked yet. You need to allow plenty of time for a separate ticket connection at LHR that involves changing terminals. You will be arriving at T3 and departing from T4. These terminals are not physically connected in any way, and are actually quite far apart. If you don't want to go through immigration and want to make an airside connection, there is an airside shuttle bus service at LHR. It isn't very quick. For my last last transfer similar to yours (T4 to T5) at LHR, I had three hours and that was the bare minimum that I would suggest. LHR is notorious for delays in the mornings when the TATL flights arrive. It is not uncommon to circle for a while before being allowed to land. The shuttle itself takes a lot more time than you would think (NOTHING like the JFK T2 to T4 shuttle) and you will need to go through security again when you arrive at T4. All of those things add up, and if something goes awry, neither DL nor AF is obligated to assist you. So leave yourself plenty of time.
BTW, if you are ST Elite+ (DL GM or higher) you will have access to the SkyTeam lounge in T4. If you allow yourself plenty of time for the connection and if you don't need all that time, this is a pretty decent lounge to hang out in. It generally has good food. I'm not sure if there are showers - others can confirm.