International transfer at LHR during covid
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: HHonorsGold, MarriottPlat, BAEC Gold, FlyingBlue Silver
Posts: 111
International transfer at LHR during covid
I’ve tried to check with BA on Twitter, but got a fairly confusing response.
Has anyone experience with an international transfer from a country that doesn’t belong to their corridor? If staying airside, can this be done without limitations or is there anything to keep in mind with regard to covid limitations?
I would assume overnight transfer in an airport hotel won’t be possible, but from what I’m reading there’s nothing specified for airside transfers. Interested to hear experiences.
Has anyone experience with an international transfer from a country that doesn’t belong to their corridor? If staying airside, can this be done without limitations or is there anything to keep in mind with regard to covid limitations?
I would assume overnight transfer in an airport hotel won’t be possible, but from what I’m reading there’s nothing specified for airside transfers. Interested to hear experiences.
#2
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Newquay
Programs: BA Silver, TAP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 99
From the UK’s border point of view, it doesn’t matter. You can use the connections corridor and stay arisde or leave the airport and go straight to your hotel and back, as long as you don’t go anywhere else (no shopping, sightseeing etc), leaving the country is permitted under the self-quarantine regulations. In both cases you will need to complete the PLF on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-c...fore-travel-uk). Except from the self-quarantine, UK does not have any specific entry requirements (testing, temp checks etc), so Heathrow is pretty much business as usual.
Your destination country may have specific rules around this. Most will only treat it as an entry to the UK if you go landside, but you would have to double check it. If you enter the UK, your destination country may impose extra measures like Covid testing, self-quarantine etc.
Your destination country may have specific rules around this. Most will only treat it as an entry to the UK if you go landside, but you would have to double check it. If you enter the UK, your destination country may impose extra measures like Covid testing, self-quarantine etc.
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,771
Unless there are some specific issues involved, transfer both airside and landside is fine and operating well at T5. If you need to stay overnight - or several nights - then so long as you self isolate (or are exempt) then that's fine too. Clearly UK immigration rules continue to apply, the PLF is on top, but the PLF process doesn't greatly inhibit the travel side, LHR is open for business. Other countries are taking different approaches but at least for the UK it's fine to transfer.
#5
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
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As noted by c-w-s the UK coronavirus restrictions do not in and of themselves restrict transits. Also see this thread (and the linked threads within):
Transfer LHR>LGW if not on "travel corridor" list
Transfer LHR>LGW if not on "travel corridor" list