Experienced travelers - Arriving at Heathrow Terminal 2 via Icelandair at 11:45 am on a Tuesday in late August with checked luggage. Have an out-bound flight on Aer Lingus at 15:50 (3:50pm) from Terminal 2 and plan to check bags on that flight as well. Will we have to go through immigration & customs between these flights?
As the UK is your entry point into the Common Travel Area you will have to go through immigration both in London and Dublin.
You will have to go through customs as well (not as that will make much difference) but whether you collect your bags or not will depend on whether it is a single through itinerary or not and Icelandair has an interlining agreement with Aer Lingus.
Thanks for the information. Our flights were booked separately due to a change in plans. Will have to collect luggage and check it at the Aer Lingus counter. Is luggage collected before or after customs?
Is luggage collected before or after customs?
Before. You trundle through with it to arrivals and make your way to departures. Check bags, have photo taken, go through security. Photo is matched to you as you board Aer Lingus.
Having to recheck bags would need this route to be taken even if you had an onward international flight (in UK border terms),'
Thanks Marco. It's nice to know what to expect. Trying to avoid being what Rick calls a "creative worrier."