We are coming into LHR in Terminal 3 from Philadelphia, have a 5-hour layover, then depart from Terminal 5 to Bologna. We have paid for a day pass to the American Airlines lounge in Terminal 3 which is past security, which we'd like to use. Assuming our flight into Terminal 3 is on time, how much time should we budget to do the transfer? The LHR website says to leave 90 minutes using an airport shuttle bus -- is that realistic, including security and passport control? Is the shuttle bus the best option (vs. the London Metro)?
Our check-on suitcase will be transferred automatically, so we'll be only hauling our backpacks and personal bags.
Thank you for any tips or tricks to speed the process!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2816 posts
I think you may have wasted your money.... I am pretty sure that you will not be able to get back to the American Airlines lounge unless you have a flight OUT of Terminal 3 at LHR.
My experience with connecting flights at LHR is that you follow the signs for connections, you go through a security and passport check and then are in an area where you catch a shuttle bus to your next flight, you can't get back to the terminal you flew into. Here's what the PointsGuys says (I find them fairly accurate but... it's not "offical" )
"If you have lounge access you won't be able to access the lounges at the Heathrow terminal at which you land if different from your departure terminal"
They have some good info including a video made by the airport on their website.
https://thepointsguy.com/airline/how-to-connect-between-terminals-at-heathrow-airport/
Posted by
Preston UK
1379 posts
Carol is right. You can only use a lounge in T3 if you are departing from there.
I'm pretty sure that the minimum transfer time between T3 and T5 is 90 minutes. You will be fine but don't hang around. As Carol says, follow the Connections signs in T3, which will lead you to the airside transfer bus to take you to T5. You will then pass through security again so beware of any liquids that you might have picked up on or before the first flight.
Taking the tube would require you to pass through UK immigration.
There are two lounges in T5 that you can pay for, assuming you don't have the right to use one of the BA lounges - Club Aspire and Plaza Premium.
Posted by
Dana Point
1237 posts
I'm assuming your flights are AA/Oneworld. If so, the following thread on FlyerTalk has an extensive discussion about making this connection...
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9127 posts
For future reference you might really benefit from a credit card that offers priority pass as part of its benefits (chase sapphire, capital one). Really help save money on lounge day passes and increases choices.
Posted by
Freedonia
16914 posts
Go to this website, plug in your flights and it will give you step by step instructions on what to do.
For this type of connection you would normally not have to clear UK immigration and customs. Just a security check. You would then be able to use the free airside bus to transfer terminals.
http://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections
AA does have an arrival lounge at Heathrow. However, to reach it you would have to clear customs and immigration.
Instead of taking the airside transfer bus you would have to make your own way via the Underground or Heathrow Express from T3 to T5.
If you decide to do this, don't forget to apply for an ETA to allow you admittance into the UK.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
947 posts
I’m pretty sure you have to be flying in business class or first class to use that arrival lounge. It’s also available if you have status with either AA or British Airlines. Lounge passes are not normally accepted at arrivals lounges.