bmwe92fan

Yes -- it's not often open -- but on some occasions I've seen it available. I'm quite certain that given the shortages that they have in personnel there is no way to keep it open regularly -- and to be honest it probably wouldn't receive a lot of use anyways (keeping it open to make it easier to get to the UC is not likely enough justification ). I would often connect monthly from UA to GF (during Covid GF used 2B) and never one did I see this open on my early morning arrivals from EWR.

PBAudit

After going down the long elevator, you either go left, Yellow (immigration) or right, Purple (connections). Of course both lanes quickly merge and I always wondered why they initially split. Now I see why as the 2B to 2B special lane is right before both lanes merge. I was surprised as I never noticed this before.
When I tried to use the 2B to 2B entrance, I was denied as I not on their list (I was connecting to LX which was departing from 2A). I didn't push trying to use this lane (i.e. wish to use the United Club).
I saw on the departure board, that in addition to long haul carriers, TP flight to Lisbon was leaving from 2B. I'm not sure if TP flights all leave from 2B but my guess is that carriers are assigned to either 2A or 2B. The short haul flights airlines leave from 2A. This includes LH, EI, LX, etc. While I was waiting at the gate, there were off brand airlines in 2B going to Bergen and Athens.
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ani90

No airline uses exclusively 2A. While the vast majority of short haul use 2A, now and then, albeit infrequently, some short haul flights will depart from a B gate and that can randomly be any airline it seems. The converse, however, is the case that there are some airlines that exclusively used 2B.

StuMcIlwain

It varies a bit, depending on gate availability. TAP usually departs from T2A, but I've occasionally seen it at T2B. I've also seen Lufthansa occasionally at T2B, although their lounge is in T2A. As posted above, the AC flight to Halifax now departs from T2A; all others depart from T2B, which is where their lounge is.

Very generally, long haul is from T2B and short haul is from T2A, but there are exceptions.

PBAudit

Thanks for the clarification.

goodeats21

Interesting. Thanks. And yes, I have done USA->LHR->BKK a couple of times.

econ

I always wondered the same thing as I usually was going to the left and then realizing they ended up at the same place (and being a little annoyed that I was walking a slightly further distance for no obvious reason as well).

So last time I just took the one on the right even though I wasn't connecting. I believe there were some departure screens in that short connections corridor, so I figured that was the reason why (maybe not to hold up traffic by those stopping to look at the screens). Hadn't noticed the 2B-2B lane.

dkc192

There are similar "satellite" connection facilities at 5B and 5C, and I'd expect similar rules to apply in 2B.

According to a guide written by a very knowledgeable member of the BA forum, you can only use those facilities if your onward connection gate has been published as being in 5B/5C. However, it is suggested that the flight information displays near the entrance to the connection facilities show more than an hours' worth of flights, and/or the computers that read your BP and determine your eligibility to use the facility have more info than is shown on the displays.

IADdelayed

UA mixed cabin award ticket (I / X) mid August:

IAD - LHR (UA)
LHR - FRA (LH)

Choice between 2:35 or 3:35 connection time. Miles, cost, equipment all equal.

Never been through LHR, but assume mid August is prime summer travel in UK, just as it is in Germany. In theory, if I booked the 2:35 connection and miss it, would get rebooked on the next one. But with it being prime summer travel, I expect LH's A320s to go out full.

Would appreciate any suggestions on which one to go with.

ani90

2.35 is more than enough time even with a one hour inbound delay.

goodeats21

If all on the same ticket, I would book the 2:35 connection. Plenty of time for LHR transit.

What is the impact of a significant delay getting to MUC? If something time critical / high importance, then maybe the longer layover is worth it.

IADdelayed

Yes, same ticket.

Assume you mean FRA? ;-) Nothing time critical, just inconvenience for relative who would be waiting on me at the airport.

It's the 5:35 pm departure from IAD. We do tend to get some nasty late afternoon / early eve t-storms that time of year, so delayed departure is not unlikely.

VRFast

Granted this was in early September of last year, we had a 2:40 connection in LHR coming from IAH going to OSL. We had more than enough time to scroll on our phones and do shopping. If you were flying out of EWR I wouldn't do that short of a connection....

UAL250

I would be more than comfortable doing this. 1:30 is the minimum for me to consider, 2 hours is when I start to feel comfortable at LHR for connections. 2:30 is fine, even in summer.

IADdelayed

Perfect, 2:35 connection booked. Thanks all!