Newbie travelers questions. Flying from Chicago to Paris on British Air with several hour stop at Heathrow on single BA ticket.
Will British Air check our bag through to Paris from Chicago? If so do we not have to retrieve the bag until customs line at Paris?
Arrival and departure gates at Heathrow are in same terminal. Do we go through passport control at Heathrow none the less?
Thanks much!
BA will check the bag to Paris.
When you checkin the passenger agent will clarify that giving you a claim check showing CDG as the last airport.
You will go through passport control in Paris
That's right, you'll see your bag next at CDG. You will go through a security line at Heathrow and I'm pretty sure they'll want to see your passport there.
Thanks very much to you both for your helpful and reassuring responses!
To be clear about passport control, when you arrive at Heathrow, you just need to proceed to your next gate. You will stay airside and will not go through Immigration, just follow the arrows to connecting flights. It is possible that you will encounter security, and in that case you will likely need to show your passport, but that is not for immigration.
When you arrive in Paris, you will go through immigration to enter the Schengen area.
We have done this number ours times. Even if you connect in the same terminal (T5 or T3 for British Airways flights), you will go through security, but not passport control, to reach your next departure gate. You need to have your boarding pass to do that. I don’t think we have been asked to show passports until we boarded the flight.
Go to this website
Plug in your flight information and get step by step instructions.
The link above should be very helpful for you. When you deplane, look for and follow the purple signs that say “flight connections.” This will bring you to an area where you scan your boarding pass for your next flight. You will then be directed to security. Make sure if you have water or other liquids you picked up from first flight to dispose of them prior to security.
After security, check the flight departures board. Gates are often not assigned far in advance of boarding.. It might say what time gate assignment will be posted or just give a general area such as “B” gates. Always follow information that is posted. For example, If it says “B” gates then start moving in the direction of the “B” gates right away.
You will do great! Enjoy your trip.
When you check in at ORD, check the routing tags on your luggage to make sure they are to CDG. Get your boarding passes for both flights there. Security at LHR can be time-consuming. Be patient, you'll have more than enough time to get through the terminal. You might want to use the loo when you get off the plane, before you get to the lines. If you have empty bottles, you can fill them at drinking fountains with filtered water after security.
Have small bills for any purchases at LHR (snacks, drinks) if you can't use a credit card. You may not get change in US$.
