LHR Tight Connection
Aug 22, 2019, 5:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,659
LHR Tight Connection
Never flown with Virgin before, but got a good deal for my sister and nephews to fly JFK-LHR-DEL in Premium economy. Connection at LHR on the way out seems tight but legal at 1:16. Any experiences making this type of connection at LHR? Any suggestions? I have considered booking them a VIP transfer service for $400, but not sure this will expedite the transfer or if it'll be a waste. Also, we are bidding on an upgrade to Business on all 4 flights, will be interesting to see how this turns out. Thanks!
Aug 22, 2019, 9:34 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,197
Shouldn’t be any problem. VS wouldn’t offer this routing if lots of passengers didn’t routinely make it. In fact many people get from gate to gate well within the MCT timescale.
On arrival just follow the purple flight connections signs and be security ready. On the LHR website use the connections planner and it will explain the process step by step once you enter your arriving and departing flights.
I see no need to pay for something you can manage on your on.
On arrival just follow the purple flight connections signs and be security ready. On the LHR website use the connections planner and it will explain the process step by step once you enter your arriving and departing flights.
I see no need to pay for something you can manage on your on.
Aug 22, 2019, 10:25 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Bear in mind that MCT represents VS' willingness to accept the risk of a misconnect, it is in the carrier's interest for the passengers to make the connection. If they misconnect, it falls to VS to reroute, to provide meals and hotels as appropriate, and possibly to pay significant compensation if there are significant delays at DEL.
The question of whether this is within SCT (Sensible Connection Time) is subjective to the passengers. If they require greater than normal time to make the physical transfer or are simply uncomfortable with 1:16, then they ought not to attempt this. It goes without saying that nobody can predict delays and, if they occur, there will be a misconnect.
My last caution is simply that this is a transit across a third country. For some nationalities, being stuck at LHR due to a misconnect can create immigration issues for some. That may figure into the calculus, but ignore this is they are US nationals.
The question of whether this is within SCT (Sensible Connection Time) is subjective to the passengers. If they require greater than normal time to make the physical transfer or are simply uncomfortable with 1:16, then they ought not to attempt this. It goes without saying that nobody can predict delays and, if they occur, there will be a misconnect.
My last caution is simply that this is a transit across a third country. For some nationalities, being stuck at LHR due to a misconnect can create immigration issues for some. That may figure into the calculus, but ignore this is they are US nationals.
Aug 22, 2019, 5:22 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,659
Thanks for the replies, myself sister is in her 40s and my nephews are teenagers so they should be ok making the connection. They are allowed entry into the UK with no visa, so that should be an issue in case of a delay or cancelation. I'll make sure they are aware of what to do in case of IRROPS.
Nov 22, 2019, 6:25 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: AA, Delta, UA
Posts: 66
I am curious if you actually made this connection without trouble, as I have the same exact question. JFK-LHR-DEL on Virgin with a 1:15 connection time, it was 1:30 when I booked but now its been changed. Also in Premium Economy so I should be able to exit quickly. I'm also concerned as my trip is in February (potential for snow delays out of JFK!)
Nov 28, 2019, 9:22 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,659
I am curious if you actually made this connection without trouble, as I have the same exact question. JFK-LHR-DEL on Virgin with a 1:15 connection time, it was 1:30 when I booked but now its been changed. Also in Premium Economy so I should be able to exit quickly. I'm also concerned as my trip is in February (potential for snow delays out of JFK!)
Nov 28, 2019, 9:23 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,659
I am curious if you actually made this connection without trouble, as I have the same exact question. JFK-LHR-DEL on Virgin with a 1:15 connection time, it was 1:30 when I booked but now its been changed. Also in Premium Economy so I should be able to exit quickly. I'm also concerned as my trip is in February (potential for snow delays out of JFK!)
Nov 29, 2019, 3:36 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: AA, Delta, UA
Posts: 66
Thanks for the update...its good to know they made it without difficulty. Of course I have to pray that the JFK-LHR leg is on time (or early...!) There's not much I can do about it at this point, anyway, so just have to hope for the best and try not to obsess over it 