Heathrow Connection T3 to T5

[PeterA]

Realistically, would I make an 8.15am BA to GVA from T5 after arriving on QF1 into T3 (6.35 scheduled arrival time)? Heathrow says I should allow 90 mins, but is this realistic, let alone Qantas arriving on time. I've done this connection before but am sure BA had a slightly later flight, around 9am.

 

[docjames]

Yes, I have made a sub 2hr connection T3 —> T5 (and vv) but it’s stressful/painful. Slightest holdup and you can be stuck - remembers the departing gate will close ahead of the listed departure time too. Often short hauls are at the A gates at either end (below the lounges), but not always so that adds time - and you wont know that until arrival (although you may be able to look at historic/daily gates to look for a trend).

When’s the next option to GVA? May pay to build a buffer, noting if it’s on one ticket, they’ll move you forward if you dont make it, but that assumes there are seats available.

If there’s a eg. 4hr connection, i’d take that.

FWIW i have ex-BCN arrival at 910 connecting to QF10 (1155) upcoming (ie. T5 —> T3) - would have liked more but it’s the only ex-BCN option that day otherwise I’d have to go to LHR the night before.


Edit: class of travel probably makes a difference here too - If you are in J/F and.or have fast track that may help, although by all reports at the current time fast track is very poorly named…… but it worked well for us with a fast arrival ex-STR (first off the aircraft and straight through immigration). Not convinced it works as well on connections (Past experiences also).

 

[PeterA]

Yes, I have made a sub 2hr connection T3 —> T5 (and vv) but it’s stressful/painful. Slightest holdup and you can be stuck - remembers the departing gate will close ahead of the listed departure time too. Often short hauls are at the A gates at either end (below the lounges), but not always so that adds time - and you wont know that until arrival (although you may be able to look at historic/daily gates to look for a trend).

When’s the next option to GVA? May pay to build a buffer, noting if it’s on one ticket, they’ll move you forward if you dont make it, but that assumes there are seats available.

If there’s a eg. 4hr connection, i’d take that.

FWIW i have ex-BCN arrival at 910 connecting to QF9 (1155) upcoming (ie. T5 —> T3) - would have liked more but it’s the only ex-BCN option that day otherwise I’d have to go to LHR the night before.

The next BA flight out to GVA is at 11.35am

 

[docjames]

To be honest, I’d probably think long and hard about the 815 then book the 1135 and plan to have a leisurely shower, something to eat, catch up on what’s going on in the world after 24hrs on QF1 and hopefully feel a little fresher. On arrival into GVA…… also possibly depends on what’s scheduled in GVA that day/evening too.

 

[AIRwin]

connecting to QF9

QF10?

 

[PeterA]

To be honest, I’d probably think long and hard about the 815 then book the 1135 and plan to have a leisurely shower, something to eat, catch up on what’s going on in the world after 24hrs on QF1 and hopefully feel a little fresher. On arrival into GVA…… also possibly depends on what’s scheduled in GVA that day/evening too.

Thanks very much for your input, I thought as much. I looked at the arrival times for QF1 over the last week or so and was a little concerned with those late arrivals every so often.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

T5 has conformance at security - this is the time you must join the security queue by or you will be directed to transfers desk to rebook. I'm not sure exactly how long before departure this is, but given QF's atrocious OTP for QF1 personally I would be booking the later flight.

 

[jrfsp]

If on one ticket id book it.

Otherwise would allow half a day or even more based on the QF OTP

 

[PeterA]

If on one ticket id book it.

Otherwise would allow half a day or even more based on the QF OTP

The BA flight is a separate booking, so it looks like the 11.35 am to GVA it is.

 

[PeterA]

Do I assume that Oneworld Emeralds are allowed to use the BA Galleries South First Lounge? It's not really totally clear on the BA or Oneworld site. It's the only one with shower facilities.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Yes. Just Concorde Room that requires F.

 

[jrfsp]

Do I assume that Oneworld Emeralds are allowed to use the BA Galleries South First Lounge? It's not really totally clear on the BA or Oneworld site. It's the only one with shower facilities.

Yes use the First Wing to clear security its best thing about T5, unfortunately the galleries lounge is nothing special.

 

[PeterA]

Yes use the First Wing to clear security its best thing about T5, unfortunately the galleries lounge is nothing special.

Sorry, forgive my ignorance , but what do you mean exactly by 'use the First Wing to clear security...'?

 

[jrfsp]

Sorry, forgive my ignorance , but what do you mean exactly by 'use the First Wing to clear security...'?

If youre arriving landside, you can check in / clear security at the "First Wing" which is at the very far end of T5 check in hall. Its a dedicated check in and security point for First and Emeralds only leading directly into the lounge (a bit like the premium entry at BNE domestic)

 

[docjames]

QF10?

LOL, yes. Will fix.

 

[docjames]

100% no brainer with separate tickets to book the later flight.

The BA flight is a separate booking, so it looks like the 11.35 am to GVA it is.

 

[RichardMEL]

oh if on separate tickets I'd definitely go for the later flight for sure.

 

[PeterA]

If youre arriving landside, you can check in / clear security at the "First Wing" which is at the very far end of T5 check in hall. Its a dedicated check in and security point for First and Emeralds only leading directly into the lounge (a bit like the premium entry at BNE domestic)

arriving airside, connecting from T3 to T5

 

[jrfsp]

arriving airside, connecting from T3 to T5

But i thought you're on a separate booking, ie You'll have to collect your bag / recheck in going to T5 landside?

Either way It can often be faster to transfer landside if you have emerald status to reclear security at the first wing in T5.

 

[PeterA]

I've been keeping a track of the 'on-time' performance of QF1 into London. I've never seen a flight so consistently late in arriving and sometimes by fairly large margins. I'm very happy I booked a later BA flight to Geneva.