The_Bouncer

Is this area only available for transit passengers? I have an AA flight out of LHR next week, but will not be in transit.

rwoman

I would assume so as it's part of the transit/Flight Connections area.

mikeyfly

I can confirm you go leave the departures area of T3 follow signs downstairs to bus transfers and rather than get a bus, exit outside to smoking cage. There’s 2/3 large “smoking area” signs on way. Once you come back inside you will need to reclear security, where queues can vary. If you have Fast Track it’s quite swift.

Saltire74

I arrived at T5 the other week with the purpose of transferring to T3 to go via immigration to get to the CX ticket desk landslide. The Heathrow helper at the bus transfer gate asked what my destination was and I just told her T3 to which she replied ‘oh, going for a smoke’. I would take it from that reply that possibly a few other like minded pax may well do the T5-T3 shuttle run to go for a tab or two if they have a lengthy transit.

I didn’t check out the logistics of it but sure it may be possible to shuttle between the two if that desperate although you would have to re-clear security at T5. Not sure what the route would be from the smoking cage to get the bus back to T5.

S

The_Bouncer

I'm doing a T3-T5 transit next week. I'll report back.

mikeyfly

mwp1

can anybody clarify the procedure, I was informed by an airport member of staff that you can smoke through the door (pictured) I had a look through but you have to close the first door to be able to open the 2nd and only had maybe an hour before departure, didn't want to take the chance, as the first door cannot be reopened from the inside. It is located near all the lounges. Just for future reference anybody know what happens if you decide to go for a smoke ????

madfish

That looks like the exit from landside, but may be wrong. I have used an exit before when leaving having ‘decided’ not to travel and wanted to leave T3. Much easier that T5.

I believe there may be a smoking area airside at T3, but never had need to find it, and suspectbthe staff member was playing a joke.

January87

Yes, you can go through this door but you have to go back through security on the way back in.

My husband did it back in January, our flight was delayed though so it wasn't too bad. He was about 15 minutes each time he went, security wasn't busy.

mwp1

January87

Ah yes! I was able to mind his bag for him while he went so we had no problems like that!

mikeyfly

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mikeyfly

Not too good on the photo front! But yes you can smoke at T3 cage and return back through security.

I’d advise leaving all belongings other than passport and boarding pass in lounge.

corporate-wage-slave

Just to amplify on the link since that in the context of arrivals: On the other side of the door you end up in a corridor running parallel to the corridor you start from. Turning right takes you to the UK Border, but going left, somewhat against the flow of traffic, is a route back to T5 Flight Connections, which is a bus waiting area. There is a path from there to the smokers cage, clearly signed by this stage, with 2 areas. When finished with your wizard pipes you return following the signs for Flight Connections T3, through security (best bring your boarding pass) then you end up airside in T3 not far from where you started.

Short answer: Flight Connections to T5, in the bus waiting area, follow signs to the Smoking Area. When done, follow signs for T3, through security (and the AA hawkers) and then back to airside again. You can do something similar in T4 (by the WH Smith near the Qatar lounge) but not T2 or T5.

Here is a not very good photo of the smoking area.

mwp1