Connecting BA-VS at LHR

I'm flying NCL->SFO on jul 16th, via LHR.

usually we'd fly BA all the way there, but we're flying virgin because it's half the price and BA's entertainment system is boring (well that's my reason).

however as virgin don't have a domestic service (yet), and my mam doesn't fancy the drive to Teeside at 6 in the morning for a BMI flight, we're flying from Newcastle.

When we get to heathrow, normally we'd get on the transfer bus to terminal 4, as our baggage would be through checked.

as we're flying VS though, I know we need to check in, but I'm not sure of whether we do this at the flight connections center or at the check in desks at terminal 3 (all pretty vauge, very little information on the VS website as far as I can see)

also, do we need to collect our baggage at the baggage reclaim at T1, if so do we go to the FCC or what?

Or can the baggage get passed from BA to Virgin themselves?

quote:Originally posted by Blythy
as we're flying VS though, I know we need to check in, but I'm not sure of whether we do this at the flight connections center or at the check in desks at terminal 3 (all pretty vauge, very little information on the VS website as far as I can see)

also, do we need to collect our baggage at the baggage reclaim at T1, if so do we go to the FCC or what?

Or can the baggage get passed from BA to Virgin themselves?

Are you on a single ticket, or multiple tickets?

I've not done this through Heathrow, so I'm not 100% sure, but the norm is to have your bags through-checked by the airline at point of departure, but you will usually need to check-in with your new airline at the transfer point (in this case, with Virgin at the FCC).

From talking to friends, inter-line bag transfer from BA to other airlines at LHR can be a bit hit-and-miss though (they have had luggage delayed), so make sure you have packed one or two essentials in your carry-on for peace of mind.

Cheers,
Mike

we got the tickets from the VS and BA websites.

Blythy

I *love* that signature - thanks for the chuckle before I slope off to sleep [8D]

Cheers

Michael

quote:Originally posted by Blythy
we got the tickets from the VS and BA websites.

OK, so two seperate tickets. You will definitely have to check in again with Virgin at Heathrow.

I still think that BA will be OK through checking your bags, but you may want to check that on BA.com or by giving them a call. Likewise, you may want to do the same with VS for the return journey.

I try to avoid inter-line transfers (unless codeshare) if I can.

Cheers!
Mike

k, thanks. I'll check with BA at check in.

glad ya liked it michael

Hi,

I flew that route only a couple of weeks ago and was informed at check in NCL that BA do not check through bags bound for VS flights[:(!]

We had to collect them when we landed at Heathrow and check them in again....

Regards

UCS_lover

I have Flown NCL LHR...LHR - MIA and NCL - LGW...LGW - MIA a number of times with BA/Virgin and have been able to check the bags right through from NCl to MIA and MIA to NCL. I would agree with Mike's post make sure if you do this that you have spare clothes in your carry on as there seems to be a high % of bags going missing when switching airlines.

Nev

We have flown MAN-LHR-LAX and return for 11 years, at least twice a year, with BA MAN-LHR & VS LHR-LAX. We usually book the tickets through both BA and VS websites. Until last September we have always checked the bags through MAN-LAX and the same on return.

Last September the BA person at check-in told us the rules had changed in April and BA could no longer check bags through if using a different carrier (unless it was part of their 'one world', or whatever they call it, partnership thingy) Brassed me off no end since landside there is no transport between terminals (there is a shuttle airside) and hauling my cases again is not my idea of fun! (plus wasting precious clubhouse time!)

On our return VS checked us through to MAN with no problem at all?!?! Hmmm BA's rules then?? We only had to check ourselves in for boarding passes.

As I have said in another post, our bags have always made it to LAX (touch wood) one of our friends bags didn't make it once, until 3 days later. However the bags rarely made it from LHR to MAN on return. BA always say that VS don't get the bags to them on time to be loaded. (I neither know nor care who is to blame since BA have to then deliver my bags directly to my home and have always got them there for the next morning)

We used BMI last time so there were no problems there.

I get the feeling it all depends on who is checking you in on the day, so good luck and I hope you enjoy your flight.

Shaz