Connection time needed in LHR?
 

Hi all,

Apologies in advance if there is a more suitable forum for this question. I've been lurking here for a couple of months learning more than I thought there was to know about FF programs, and I guess it's time to start posting/contributing. What a great board!

I could use some help from other FF'ers who are a little more familiar about connecting between terminals in LHR than I am.

Some background: Recent AC*E, avg. 2 flights/week (mostly YYZ-NYC) with the occasional trans-atl (YYZ/NYC-LHR/FRA).

The scenario: I have a 1.5 hour window next weekend to make a connection between the following flights:

23 Jul AF 3042 TLS-LHR Arrive 19:30 T2 (I)
23 Jul AC 3095 LHR-YYZ Depart 21:05 T3 (J)

The question: Is this going to be an overly rushed/tight connection? Any suggestions on making my connection more efficient?

Any and all comments/advice much appreciated. :-)

-Zombie-

One and a half hours should be fine. 19:30 on a weekend is not Heathrow's busiest time so if you do find yourself rushing at least you won't be struggling against tides of people!

I've not done T2 to T3 so can't comment on specifics - I presume it's similar to T1 to T3 which is

5-10 min walk to connection centre
10 mins to check in (if you have to)
5-10 mins wait for bus
5-10 mins on bus
10 mins to gate

Why not post something on the LHR board?


edited because I can't spell!!!

[This message has been edited by matthewuk (edited 07-13-2001).]

You can walk through the tunnel between T1, T2, T3 and avoid the bus -- allow about 10 - 15 minutes for this.

1.5 hours should be plenty

If you walk through the tunnels then you will also need extra time for security.

Due to approach traffic, ATC usually forces the donut pattern East of LHR. I have had few flights arrive on time at LHR. Usually 30-50 minutes late. Once 4 hours late (an extreme exception).

I would have a backup plan just in case of a late arrival into LHR.

Based on past experience, I'm leaving three hours next week in both directions to connect between AA and BA at Heathrow.

I spent 3 hours in line at AA in LHR on Sunday the 15th. I was headed to LAX through JFK. They claimed to have had a "major computer failure" however, the regulars in line said that this was quite normal. To top it off I ended up being so late that they escorted me via transport truck to the gate, then promptly lost my 5 bags and one car seat. I was traveling with my 2 (thank god they are angelic) children who went without all of their things until this morning when the surly AA man in a van brought my bags with various colors of tape holding them shut and and my hardcase samsonites dented.

More than you wanted to know? Sorry, I had to vent.

Jeez... looks like I might be in trouble. Thanks all for your comments. Unfortunately, there is no viable backup plan possible, since I need to be in YYZ on the evening.night of the 23rd in order to make a 7 am YYZ-EWR on the 24th. I doubt if AC will put me on a UA flight from LHR-EWR/JFK if I miss my LHR-YYZ flight, even if I am booked in (paid) J on the LHR-YYZ. The only chance would be to try to make an earlier TLS-LHR flight on the 23rd... which would cut short my mini-vacation.

Guess I'll take my chances... and be prepared to run!

Thanks,
-Zombie-

(edited since I apparently can't say "dam*" on this board)


[This message has been edited by Zombie (edited 07-17-2001).]

I connect regularly to terminal 3 in LHR and, while the lines at security can be a pain, 90 minutes from 2 to 3 should not be a problem. Maybe it's luck, but I have not had the arrival delays that some previous posters refer to.