Dash from UAL to BA
 

Is it possible these days to arrive midweek in LHR at 6:55AM on UAL, and catch a 9:10AM on BA? That's a fast walk from terminal 3 to 1, any thoughts? Thanks for your input.

No problems. It WILL be a pretty long walk as UA often arrives in the worst gates at T3. Will probably be around a 25-30 minute hike so you'll have plenty of time.

It should not be a problem at all as long as you check your luggage through with United when you initially check in for your flights. You will need to show them your receipt for the BA ticket purchase. If you don't check your luggage through and you have to go through passport control at LHR and reclaim your bags then you can be looking at over two hours. I hate passport control at LHR. What a nightmare line it usually requires.

I used to be gold on BA when I lived in the UK. This brings up an interesting problem I often had at LHR. Everytime I flew into LHR on United, I had to connect to a BA flight up to Manchester, where I lived. (BTW, this was a monopoly route, with outrageous prices! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsdown.gif)

I would say that 70% of the time, my luggage did NOT arrive with me, even if there was ample connection time.

BUT, whenever I arrived at LHR on a BA flight, my luggage was properly handled. IMHO, BA intentionally mishandled baggage on connections from some competitive carriers. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsdown.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsdown.gif

So, you may make the connection, but there is a good chance your luggage will not!



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United UGS, 1K, Million Mile Flyer
Hyatt Lifetime Diamond
Starwood Platimun

are you in Biz or First for FastTrack arrivals? if so then you would have plenty of time even if your luggage isn't through-checked. In that case, allow 10-15 minutes to walk from the far gates to immigration, a few minutes for clearing, a few for bags, then another 15 minutes to saunter to T1. That should leave an hour to check in and clear security at T1. If you're in coach and the immigration lines are long it could spell trouble.

if you can check luggage through, you will also have the option of staying airside and taking the bus. the transfer desk lines can be bearable or ludicrous-- make a judgment call when you arrive...

If you are in coach, run - don't walk - to immigration. Lines can be very long around that time, so you'll want to get as far forward as possible.

Don't ever reverse this route ...
I flew BA CDG-LHR and got caught up in immigration hell then had to sprint through the UA terminal in my bare feet (note: never wear sandals when connecting through LHR and note #2: never ever bring 4 bottles of wine back from France when you might have to run with them through LHR).

Of course, the door shut 30 seconds before I got to the gate (Naturally the last one).