LHR connections
 

So I've got yet another upcoming trip where I fly into LHR on AA and connect to an outgoing BA flight. The thing that drives me absolutely insane is that extra security check in LHR and the disgustingly long line (most of the time) to get through it. Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions or ideas on expediting that process? Or am I dreaming? :(

Also, can anyone give me some pointers on seating on the BA portion of the trip? I'm Plat, and traveling with a friend who's on a separate PNR. BA won't assign seats in advance, so is there anything I can do to improve our seating and make sure we don't get separated?

1. You're dreaming.
2. Intraeurope on most of their cattle cars the best you can hope for is to get on the 2-side of the 2x3 seating (in biz). Is the no-seat-assignments a newish rule?

1. Are you flying AA in F or J? If so, avoid the Flight Connections Center and just clear Immigration and Customs (if in F or J, you can use the Fast Track immigration line) in Terminal 3 and then head over to the correct terminal for your connecting flight (Terminal 1 or 4, depending on your destination). Since you are traveling in J on BA, you can use Fast Track for clearing security in the correct terminal. You still have to clear security, but you cna avoid the line. If you are leaving from Terminal 1, you can walk there from Terminal 3 using LHR's underground corridors. It is well signed and easy to find, but a bit of a walk. If you are going out of Terminal 4, you can get there landside using the Heathrow Express, which is free between the Terminals. If you have the time, and are in F or J on AA, you cna use AA's Arrivals lounge in Terminal 3 for a shower or BA has showers in its Terraces lounges in Terminal 1 and 4.

2. Definately call BA back and try again for a seat assignment. They most definately do assign seats in Club Europe. As JohnAx said, go for the A and C seats as there are only two on that side and they are a bit wider than the other seats and do not have a shared arm rest. They are not all that great, but better than the D,E and F seats.

Inane the process may be but it seems necessary (you'll run into at in various forms at HKG and NRT among other airports). Remember that incident a few weels back where one pax was found by LHR transfer security to be carrying ammunition, which security at IAD, where he originated, failed to catch.

If both of you have BA EC accounts, you could always try to OLCI in advance.

Let me agree on all counts with PresRDC. I have often resorted to the landside transfer to avoid the mess. Although I understand (don't necessarily agree but do understand) the need for a further security check the problem is with the terrible mismanagement of the security check process as well as the terminal transfer mess. After having sat on a bus outside terminal 1 for nearly half an hour waiting to be let out to stand in a queue for another 45 minutes I decided never, ever to do that again. If your flight gets in before or after the big crush in the morning you can try the air side transfer but during the crush PresRDC's solutions are ever so much more pleasant and frankly the terminal 3 to 1 walk is not so bad and is, in fact, a good way to stretch your legs.

Another alternative but not strictly within oneworld would be to fly to ZRH where you can do an AA codeshare with LX onward. Everything about that experience is many times better than the LHR alternative.

The wait for the security check at the FCC (flight connection center) varies tremendously. Last Monday I was through in 1 minute (T1-T4), while it took 30 minutes earlier the same week. And the 1 min wait was at semi-prime time (10 am). Generally the landside transfer takes longer given normal wait times, but is more predictable as well as giving you more exercise.

Except for missing the BA F lounge access if you are OneWorld Emerald status ;) . That makes up for the mess that is LHR. Or you could use LGW and still get the BA F lounge access.

I am arriving at T4 on BA309 at 1245 from CDG and connecting in T3 to AA47 at 1435. Is that too tight? I have tight connections on that portion of my DONE3 (CDG-LHR-ORD-ANC-ORD-SEA), so I am mulling whether it is worth it to get the ticket reissued just for an earlier flight from CDG.

That should be enough time.

I appreciate the advice from everyone. Unofrtunately I'm probably not going to be able to take the advice. :( My problem is that first off, I'm flying in the back of the plane, because I'm using the Fly-2-Get-1 coupon for my friend's ticket. So, unless I get a complimentary upgrade (yeah, right!) I won't get the FastTrack access. Also, my friend isn't travling with a US passport, so we might have problems with immigration. :)

But this is an intersting thought that I hadn't considered before. I will definitely have to give it a shot next time. Thanks!

Since you're Platinum, if you strike up an acquaintance with a cabin crew member during the flight, you can ask privately (so your question and his/her answer don't become public property) if he/she might be able to get one of AA's more loyal passengers a couple of pink FastTrack landing card jackets as a favor. The worst that can happen is that you'll hear "no."