Fast Track at London Heathrow
May 19, 2021, 8:29 am
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,227
There are no reliable times to arrive as the system keeps on changing so that it's impossible to discern patterns before it changes again. My guess is that you will probably be ok, unless there is a new system in place which causes chaos. Top tip is to ensure you have print outs of your PLF, your pre-departure test result and your pre-booked Day 2 and Day 8 tests.
And, no, Fast Track is not operating and the e-gates, if operating at all, are behind the COVID checks.
And, no, Fast Track is not operating and the e-gates, if operating at all, are behind the COVID checks.
May 19, 2021, 11:14 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 128
I flew in last month from EWR with a 7am arrival and it took about 45 minutes to get through immigration/covid checks and grab my bags. The line was about 50% full when I walked up and filled up pretty quickly once I was in line. I agree that having printouts of all your documents is best. The total experience wasn't as bad as I was expecting.
There was no fast track and the e-gates are behind the checkpoints. They will check all your docs at the checkpoints and then allow you to pass through to the gates.
There was no fast track and the e-gates are behind the checkpoints. They will check all your docs at the checkpoints and then allow you to pass through to the gates.
May 21, 2021, 10:33 am
#93
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: IAH and ORD
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Titanium and LTT
Posts: 163
We are booked to fly into LHR early July. While still over a month away, I am wondering what the immigration queues are like at LHR for early morning arrivals (we land at 7.30 am). Also, we will be in Polaris cabin - any chance fast pass is still operating? I have found online horror stories about >5 hr waits at LHR but no reliable info re. how that changes with landing time. We have two small kids with us so a >5hr wait will likely kill me!
May 21, 2021, 10:26 pm
#94
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: If only I knew
Programs: Several of my own making in which I was recently fast-tracked to super-duper-über-elite status
Posts: 1,074
We are booked to fly into LHR early July. While still over a month away, I am wondering what the immigration queues are like at LHR for early morning arrivals (we land at 7.30 am). Also, we will be in Polaris cabin - any chance fast pass is still operating? I have found online horror stories about >5 hr waits at LHR but no reliable info re. how that changes with landing time. We have two small kids with us so a >5hr wait will likely kill me!
The PLF check was quick and easy—it helps to have hardcopies of the required documents rather than fumbling with the phone. I was expecting the worst, but got through in less than 10 minutes. All a crapshoot. Good luck!