Heathrow connection time

Hi folks,

We are due to arrive in to LHR off vs24 @ 1530 on 19 May. Traveling will be Mrs BIGJOCK & our 8 week old (at the time) baby. We're traveling from NZ with the new born to Glasgow & it's not a very good arrival time into LHR as far as connections to sunny GLA are concerned.

I'm toying with the idea of booking us on the BA1492 to GLA departing LHR @ 1730 (if not then 2020 to GLA). That would only give us 2hrs to make the ba flight gate to gate. I would do OLCI from LAX before the VS24 flight, so all i would need to do is a bag drop @ LHR.

I'm aware that i can't interline with Virgin & BA too.

So, my question is, is it possible to get from T3 to T1 with an 8 week old in time for the bag drop & to make the flight?

Waiting in LHR for 5 hrs with the new born ain't floating my boat, we've got 6 hrs with him @ LAX after we arrive from AKL.

Your advice will be much appreciated.

[Neil]

Hi,

If you take a look at thisthread from a little while ago it gives some good tips/info on making connections at LHR - also I would suggest you take a look at the link in that thread that I gave, which is from the BAA website and gives some good info and advice about connections at LHR.

Hope it helps a bit
Neil

Thanks Altitude23. Saw that thread earlier.

However, i would still apreciate some input/experiences you may have had & what you would do in my situation, would you book the earlier or later flight?

I would book the 17.30. 2 hours should be enough time to get through immigration, collect baggage and get to T1. As you say, 5 hours at LHR is a long time! (Unless you're in a certain CH at T3[}:)])

VS24 normally picks up some nice tail winds over the winter and usually arrives before 15.30 - Don't take this for granted but that normally is the case....

[Neil]

Originally posted by BIGJOCK
Thanks Altitude23. Saw that thread earlier.

However, i would still apreciate some input/experiences you may have had & what you would do in my situation, would you book the earlier or later flight?

Ok - I would def agree with Rob and book the 17:30 flight, at worst you will miss that flight and then get moved onto the later one (hopefully free of charge although there could be a small fee) but you will kick yourself if yuou book the later one and could of made the earlier one.

When I have transferred through terminals at LHR before it has been easy and as long as you follow the signs then you should be fine, immigration is your only possible hold up but tbh, LHR immigration is usually pretty good.

Neil:)

[mitchja]

As already mentioned 2 hours will be fine for this connection especially in the afternoon after the VS24 arrives.

The walk from T3 arrivals to T1 domestic check-in is 20-30 mins. Just follow the signs for T1.

If at all possible use either online check-in or the self service machines for your domestic BA flight, this will speed things up and make life easier. There are lots of self service machines dotted around the BA domestic check-in area of T1 at LHR.

Regards

Originally posted by mitchja
If at all possible use either online check-in or the self service machines for your domestic BA flight, this will speed things up and make life easier.

Apparently, you now have to use online or self-service check-in for domestic BA flights. I don't think they have check-in counters anymore, just bag drops.

Cheers,
Mike

I recently did this connection. landed at lhr at 0830 for an 1130 flight to gla. spent 30 minutes in revivals and still had to wait a good 30 mins in T1. you should be able to make it.

I've often seen the T3 to T1/T2 lines for security screening very busy with some long lines.

As long as there are no delays in getting off the plane, e.g waiting to cross the runway or find a stand, you could be OK.

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by ukcobra
I've often seen the T3 to T1/T2 lines for security screening very busy with some long lines.

As long as there are no delays in getting off the plane, e.g waiting to cross the runway or find a stand, you could be OK.

Is that through the Flight Connection Centre? That won't be possible in this instance as the family will have to collect their luggage and schlep it over to T1 which is as James has said is about 20-30 minutes. The 1730 is do-able.

Have a good trip