Connections at London Heathrow on British Air

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm sure this topic was already broached before but couldn't find the thread. I'm planning on booking a trip soon with British Airways between Toronto and Western Europe (connecting at Heathrow). I'm curious how such connections work. Specifically, will bags be checked through to their final destination? What about when I arrive at Heathrow, will I need to go through security? What about terminal transfers? Is there anything I should be looking out for when booking (I'm QFF Gold and hope to make this trip, booked in business earn me enough status credits to keep status).

-RooFlyer88

 

[Mikeact1]

I'm sure this topic was already broached before but couldn't find the thread. I'm planning on booking a trip soon with British Airways between Toronto and Western Europe (connecting at Heathrow). I'm curious how such connections work. Specifically, will bags be checked through to their final destination? What about when I arrive at Heathrow, will I need to go through security? What about terminal transfers? Is there anything I should be looking out for when booking (I'm QFF Gold and hope to make this trip, booked in business earn me enough status credits to keep status).

-RooFlyer88

My suggestion, go on the UK's largest and free site for information. You could be swamped with answers. Headforpoints.com

 

[jbmarshall90]

I'm sure this topic was already broached before but couldn't find the thread. I'm planning on booking a trip soon with British Airways between Toronto and Western Europe (connecting at Heathrow). I'm curious how such connections work. Specifically, will bags be checked through to their final destination? What about when I arrive at Heathrow, will I need to go through security? What about terminal transfers? Is there anything I should be looking out for when booking (I'm QFF Gold and hope to make this trip, booked in business earn me enough status credits to keep status).

-RooFlyer88

I’ve done transit through Heathrow many times.

Bassuming you’re booking flights on one ticket, bags will be checked through. BA don’t check through bags on seperate bookings so I would ensure you book acccordingly.

Terminal transfers are straight forward in terms of signage and process. You’ll follow signs to your terminal which require you to go on a bus. When you arrive at the terminal you need for your next flight, you’ll do a security check there (ie after the bus trip, not before).

If departing from Terminal 5 you’ll have access to two lounges in the main concourse - a north and south lounge. If one is busy you can try and head for the other.

Happy Heathrow transit!

 

[ChrisMars]

Can you simulate your booking and let us know which terminals? Probably T5 to T5, but T3 is also used on some route.
Even T5 to T5 requires security.

Aparently you don't need to buy this new ETA for airside only transfer (from memory it was originally discussed to be mendatory).

Now, about the bad news. Assuming T5 and the BA lounges you are likely going to have to queue for the shower. From memory this is done via a lounge dedicated web app those days.

If you are lucky and your short haul flight is from T3, well, yes you probably need an airside bus transfer, but you will have a wider selection of lounges and shower. Qantas (check opening hours) and Cathay are probably the one to aim for.

Oh I forget, when you get of the plane and walk in those long corridors, sometime ther is already a queue in those corridors. That's very likely for arrivals passengers. Connecting passengers can typically continue to walk (on one of the side of the corridor), until the split between connection and arrival occurs.