Connection times at LHR
 

I'm sure this has been answered elsewhere, so apologies for duplication. I did a search and the function doesn't seem to be working properly.

What is the minimum connection time between BA (Terminal 1) and AA (T3) at LHR. I have a flight arriving from Geneva 8.45am and a flight to Chicago at 10.05am. I am a UK citizen so am comfortable that I can easily make it, but my colleagues are US citizens, in which case I assume its quicker for them to take the airside bus.

Second question - will BA in GVA book the checked luggage through to ORD? If not, we will have to collect the checked bags making it even harder to guarantee the connection. Finally, if I buy two separate tickets (AA - ORD-LHR return) and BA (LHR-GVA return), will BA check the luggage straight through.

Thanks in advance

I just had an illegal connection at LHR (65 minutes T4 to T1, legal is 75 minutes) but no checked baggage so the BA agent was able to force issue of both boarding passes. Took the airside bus and had 40 minutes to kill. Presume T1-T3 times are similar, but there may be special security rules for US bound flights (I believe FRA requires minimum 120 minutes connection time for US flights, due to US security requirements). I think you have to check with AA, they may arrange a car transfer for you if you have enough status or have an F ticket. Baggage can be checked, but only if you meet the minimum connection time. If you can't check the baggage through there is almost zero chance to make the connection.

this is about air-side transfer.
(i dont know why landside could be faster, except during early morning -- see below)

the main uncertainty is how punctual your incoming flight will be.

the official rule is 40-45 min gate to gate,
my experience has been 20-25 min.
but it could easily add another 10 minute at security search.
Note also in the early morning (pre-7am) the airside bus may have a queue of 15-20 min (at T4, not sure whether it's true at T3)!


LHR lugguage transfer is a TOTAL mess, esp for BA, it wont make it within 60 min in most times. so be prepared that the lugguage will arrive at the next flight.

My understanding is that the min conneciton time for LHR is 90 minutes. We connected T4 - T3 and it was not too bad. We would have been ok with 65 minutes -- this was also an arrival on 1/1 when there was less traffic.

If you are booked in premium class on AA (business or first) and your BA flight is in the same record locator, AA may meet you at your BA flight and transport you to T3 flight connections.

--Jim

Just did a connection at LHR on Jan 10; LIN-LHR-BOS.
Luggage was checked through so you don't have to touch it in LHR, but surprised to find that BA check-in desks in Europe can no longer issue boarding pass for continuing AA flight, so you have to check in again with AA at LHR. BA say that AA will no longer allow them to do so!
Yet AA are allowed to issue BA boarding passes on reverse itinerary. I thought the point of OW was seamless check-in with all partners?

Still ? ****.. It happened to me on a CDG-LHR-NRT-CNS (BA-BA-QT) a few years ago... CDG flight was delayed for 45 min and had to jump in the NRT flight as they were closing doors...needless to say my bag did not make it and took the next flight

I have a CDG-LHR-CAI with BA on Jan. 15, I have 145min and I DO HOPE that my bags will make it. I have to do T1 -> T4. Can't afford some delays here.

I will have to check with my credit card how much I'm allowed as 'emergency' for delayed lugguage.

at least till a year ago.
i had only check my lugguage 3 times, but it got lost twice.

however, BA does pay for your 'emegency', esp for long-haul premium class.
i remember they gave me $200 right away at BOS. but my lugguage came some 5 days after, when i was out of town again http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

They must throw a gigantic pile of cash if they happen to have 66.7% of delay for lugguage for every transit pax !!!
5 days ?! yay ! how can this be possible ? that's insane :-(

I will be in Cairo at 23:15 and probably will not be out till midnight, don't want to go out naked from the airport http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Crossing my fingers..hoping they won't lost all my diving gear and backpack.

"What is the minimum connection time between BA (Terminal 1) and AA (T3) at LHR."

75 minutes


"I have a flight arriving from Geneva 8.45am and a flight to Chicago at 10.05am. I am a UK citizen so am comfortable that I can easily make it, but my colleagues are US citizens, in which case I assume its quicker for them to take the airside bus."

It is probably quicker for all of you to take the airside bus unless there is an awful queue at the FCC. When you get off the bus, you will have to go to the AA check in desk in the FCC to get your boarding pass since AA in its wonderful spirit of cooperation around its OW partners will not let others issue boarding passes for their flights

"Second question - will BA in GVA book the checked luggage through to ORD? If not, we will have to collect the checked bags making it even harder to guarantee the connection."

Yes

"Finally, if I buy two separate tickets (AA - ORD-LHR return) and BA (LHR-GVA return), will BA check the luggage straight through."

They don't have to, but I have never had any issues with them doing through checking on separate tickets

Dave

I'm going JFK-LHR on AA with an EI connection to DUB. I'ts a mess and a half. All these dumb security rules are gonna make me miss my flight.