Changing planes at Heathrow

They shouldn't let you book flights if the connection times aren't within their limits. You'll have to pass thru customs, then thru Security before boarding your connecting flight. Are you at least staying in Terminal 5 for your departure to Edinburgh?

Last summer, we flew to Heathrow on British Airways but had a connecting flight to Edinburgh on Virgin Air, which required a transfer to another terminal, which took some extra time. And this all assumes your flight from the USA will be on-time. You might get some assurance by phoning B.A. at 800-247-9297.

To alleviate any worry I'd book the later flight. I'd also call the travel agent and give him/her an earful, expressing your dissatisfaction and demanding they correct the problem. In all honesty Heathrow can be a breeze or hellish. Never can tell. Nice to hear you are returning to the UK after a 20 year absence.

90 minutes is bang on the MCT for a terminal 3 international arrival transferring to a terminal 5 domestic which is how your TA could sell it to you. This is based on transferring between terminals airside, and doing immigration in T5, followed by security etc.

There isn't much margin against delay somewhere but on a single ticket you will be accommodated on a later connection if necessary.

It's not customs that takes the time. That is a simple "Walk through" of the Green Channel. It is immigration (passport control) which takes time. Anything from 5 minutes to 1 hour+.
You may not need to go through security as you will already be "airside".

Whether 90 Mins. is enough depends on which terminals are involved, and how busy it is on the day. Terminal 1+2+3 are in the same place, Terminal 4 is at the south side of the airport and Terminal 5 the west side. Effectively 3 different airports.
If you have booked this as a through ticket, getting you on the second flight is the airline's problem. If you are delayed on the incoming flight they must re-book you on a later flight. Either way, I would go back to your travel agent and query this, maybe ask for a free transfer to a flight 1 hour later (if there is one).

Oh, and don't use that travel agent again.

Thanks to everyone! I used a travel agent as I was uncomfortable booking an open jaw ticket, especially since I have not been to Europe since '95. I did ask her about the 90 minute window, and she said that was the minimum time permitted. I should have questioned it more. Especially when I deliberately took an earlier from from Cleveland to Charlotte so I had plenty of time to make the flight to London in case of a delay. (and I have a 3 hour layover there!) I'm flying into T3, and having to transfer to T5. I emailed BA, have not heard back yet. I'm one of those people that this will bug me for the next 3 months, and I'll be going crazy the entire flight to London..

If any delay is at the CLT end get the agent to rebook you whilst you are in the air. You could try for fast track immigration etc but as you are on a 'legal' connection US Airways may not see the need. If the ticket is a US one, (prefix 037 or maybe 001 for American with the merger) it needs to be US that speaks with BA if you want a change.

Two years ago we had a very complex flight situation (needing to get from London to Sweden for a family reunion) so I used a travel agent for the first time. She put us on two separate tickets. We also had a 90 minute layover when we returned from Sweden to catch our flight back to the U.S. This was at Heathrow and in two different terminals. Unfortunately our flight coming from Sweden was late - when we arrived we were down to the wire on making our flight. We had to run for it, and just barely made it. We had our two granddaughters with us, so that added to our stress. We will never schedule like this again - that close in timing and on two different tickets. It was a definite lesson. Better to have more time.

Having ample time when checking in at Charlotte is a good thing - International flights now require checking in 3 hours prior to departure.

One thing with Heathrow, they don't use the same gate for the same flight, day after day. Depending on flight movements and timing, they announce the departure gate only a relatively short time prior to departure, so you have to watch the departure monitors and get moving towards the gate once it's finally announced. The BA Flight Connections staff should be able to help once you land, if there are any questions or issues.

Thanks again to everyone!
My travel info just says "US 7197" operated by British Airways.. I'll talk to my travel agent and see what they say; as I also need to go and purchase my rail tickets.

Heathrow's web site has a very comprehensive transfer tool. Put in all your information, and you'll see all the steps involved and the estimated time: http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/flight-connections/connection-guides

You are flying British Air "metal," the US Airways number of "7197" is just a number. Googling shows that the real number is British Airways 1438. So, you are leaving from Terminal 5 from Heathrow to Edinburgh.

And yes, when people ask me why I don't use a travel agent, this kind of story shows why (and as Sharon's story illustrates, it's not a unique occurrence). The kind of "help" you get from a travel agent, I don't need; I can make my own mistakes.

Honestly, if you've already bought your ticket I wouldn't worry about it. If you are on a single ticket, the airline is responsible for getting you to your final destination. If your flight arrives on time, you'll have the benefit of getting to your destination early without spending hours in an airport. If you miss your flight, go immediately to a BA agent to get rebooked.

I've missed connections at Heathrow twice. Both times, my flight from the U.S. was significantly (multiple hours) delayed such that I had already missed the connection when I landed. In both cases, I was put on the next flight. I've also made connections at LHR of under two hours with time to spare. Personally, if I had a choice between a 90 minute connection at LHR and a 3.5 hour connection, I'd risk the shorter connection. I hate waiting in airports.

Thanks to Harold and Laura for their posts!

I am booked directly from CLE to EDI via us air. Since I'm only taking a carry on, I'll just take my chance & let the chips fall. I'm always being yelled at by friends/family about how fast I walk, especially through airports, so hopefully I will be ok. : ) And I know once I hit London, I will be chomping at the bit to get to Edinburgh-I've been saving for this trip for 4 years!

thanks again to everyone, I am just loving this forum. So many great tips!

Cheers