We have 90 minutes at LHR to transfer from our StL direct flight to LHR to our destination of Glasgow. The StL to LHR flight lands in Terminal 5. The LHR to Glasgow flight takes off from the same terminal. It's been 10 years since we flew into LHR so I can't recall much about it. This is a BA flight. Our original flight was with AA and only allowed a 55 minute transfer time so this new flight arrangement seemed better. We will need to go through passport control, right? Will we have to go through TSA again?
Posted by
Preston UK
1957 posts
Assuming that your two flights are all on one ticket you should be fine. 90 minutes is within the minimum transfer time for T5 to T5.
As you are entering the UK you will go through immigration at Heathrow, although in a different and quieter part than the main border area - make sure that you follow the signs for UK connections. You will technically pass through customs in Glasgow although it's likely that you won't even notice it. TSA is a US process and has nothing to do with the UK.
I assume that you all have your ETAs?
Posted by
Angleterre
2856 posts
You do immigration and security at Heathrow; customs for any goods to declare at Glasgow.
Follow signs for flight connections to UK destinations.
Ninety minutes is fine. If your inbound flight is delayed, you will be put on the next available flight to Glasgow.
Posted by
OP
St. Louis MO
748 posts
Yes, thank you! ETAs complete. We will be sure to follow signs for UK Connections. Same ticket.
On the return flight we fly from Edinburgh to LHR and land at T5 in LHR. Then we fly LHR to Chicago. Both of these flights are AA flights...all on same ticket. My app doesnt say which terminal the Chicago flight takes off from. That flight has a 1 hour 45 min transfer time.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
702 posts
I would not think your first segment EDI to LHR is an AA plane. Is possible but I would check. More likely is operated by BA you land at T5 and then transfer to T3 where an AA plane leaves LHR to Chicago. But same advice to follow the signage for connections it will put you on a bus and take you to the other terminal.
Posted by
Angleterre
2856 posts
AA does not fly from Edinburgh to London; only BA
BA will arrive at Terminal 5
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10361 posts
The transfer from terminal 5 to terminal 3 is not difficult and is done airside. Follow purple flight connections signs to the gate that is for the terminal 3 shuttle. A coach will pull up and transfer you to terminal 3 where you go through security and into the terminal. Takes 10-15 minutes total.
Posted by
OP
St. Louis MO
748 posts
You are correct. I just double checked. Edinburgh to LHR is operated by BA, the LHR to Chicago is AA.
Posted by
Bend, OR
2077 posts
We did this recently from SFO to Glasgow on BA. It’s quite a hike but just follow the signs in Heathrow, you’re going to have to go thru passport control and security (TSA is in the US) so don’t stuff your passport and connecting boarding pass away because you’re going to have to show and scan them multiple times. Passport control was an egate then a boarding pass check. And frankly, it’s easier if you check your bags all the way thru, security at Heathrow is very thorough, they pulled my carryon apart to look at and test the shampoo in a small plastic bottle that was in my liquids bag and left me with trying to stuff it all back together again. If that security area is quieter than the main area as someone mentioned, I hate to think what the main area is like. We checked our bags going home, much easier with just a small backpack. Also, have your boarding pass and passport ready when they call your group number at your gate, an agent wants to check that your name matches on both then we also had to scan our boarding pass and passport before we went down ramp to plane. I’m doing this all the while I was dazed from an 11 hour international flight. Never so happy to step off the plane in Glasgow and listen to a cab driver welcome me to his wonderful city!
Have a great time. Glasgow is full of friendly people. See the murals on the buildings, they are amazing!