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LHR transit between terminals

BA just switched our flight from the US from arriving at Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 but our onward flight is from Terminal 5. We have exactly two hours between flights. Questions:

  1. Assume the transit is all airside since we canNOT go to our final destination after a landside transit in the UK. Assume the luggage will be transferred. True?

  2. Can we walk or do we need to take some sort of shuttle?

    1. Is 2 hours enough time with going through security again?
Posted by
5651 posts

I think there's a bus between these terminals. As I remember , they are quite a distance.
We are also BA in Sept. Is this your first or second change.?We have been canceled once, waiting for the next surprise. Where is your origin city? Did you get moved to an American flight?
Much luck to all of us navigating these times!

Posted by
11614 posts

Buses, trains( Heathrow Express which is free between terminal) go between terminals. Or take a taxi. We have done all of the above. It may be different now with COVID , however.
Yes to luggage transfer.

Posted by
16421 posts

If your flight is on one ticket, just follow the signs for "Flight Connections" and you can stay airside. Suki's way makes you go through customs and immigration. The website Joe listed is also about connecting after immigration and customs. However, there is a small link that is for you:

https://www.heathrow.com/connecting-fligh

When is your flight? AA is currently operating at Terminal 5.

Posted by
1191 posts

We have had to do that before as well but it's been a couple of years ago. There was a bus that transferred you between terminals 5 to 3, then you go back through security. Not really walkable. If your trip is all on one ticket, they should transfer your luggage. Where is your final destination? If it's Italy you will be required to quarantine for 5 days. You should be ok with 2-hrs. but it's tight. Be sure and get straight to your transfer bus to Terminal 3 and through security before taking that break!

Posted by
497 posts

Just got the change notice this morning. I did a YouTube and it is all airside transit, BUT we have to make sure that AA here in California will provide the boarding pass for the last transit through LHR because you can’t do the airside transit without it. That’s my next research. And yes we were switched from a BA flight originally to AA from CA to DFW to LHR and then BA to GVA. AA now lands at Terminal 3 instead of 5 so we have to do the hustle from 3 to 5, but have to have the BA boarding pass on the last leg. Honestly if it weren’t so expensive I would just pay the money and do the Swiss air flight direct from LA to Zurich. This ticket is all on miles though so trying to go with the stressful flow because it’s free.