customs check at heathrow

Thanks again...this will help alot with our planning.

Jane, I agree with Michael's response that you will not need to claim your bag. However, look closely at your ticket. I suspect that you are not actually flying on an Iberia plane from Chicago to London. Instead, you are probably flying either on an American Airlines plane or a British Airways plane. Iberia codeshares with both airlines. This doesn't make any difference for luggage, but it does make a difference about where you arrive at Heathrow. AA uses Terminal 3 and BA uses terminal 5. If AA is operating the flight, you will also need to change terminals at Heathrow.

Thank you for the info it eases your mind.

Assuming the flight to Zurich is part of the same ticket/airline/alliance, your checked luggage will automatically be transferred to your flight to Zurich. Immigration and Customs will be in Zurich, but you will have to go through a security screening at Heathrow before you arrive at your connecting gate.

Thanks...we will be on Iberia from Chicago and on British air after that...Hmmm...will the bags get booked thru?

Iberia and British Airways merged a couple of years ago, and are now owned by the same company...so your bags will be transferred automatically.

How long is the layover at Heathrow? Even though you don't need to claim bags or go through customs there, you will need to go through security. You will also need extra time if you have to change terminals.
I went through Heathrow last month with a two hour layover, thinking that was enough time. Had my connecting flight not been delayed, I would have missed it.

Also, if you are traveling during the Olympics expect more crowds and chaos. I was astounded be the immigration line (not customs) for UK citizens. It took a UK colleague a 45 minutes to clear. The non-UK line was longer. Thankfully, you won't be in that line, but if it is indicative of processes at Heathrow, be prepared for lines.

Came back to the UK through Heathrow yesterday. No lines at all for EU or non-EU - walked right up to the desk. Plenty of bored looking Border Agency officers sitting around with nothing to do, hoping some arriving passengers would actually turn up. Collected checked bags right away and was on the M4 within 25 minutes of landing. Of course it isn't always like this .... but it isn't always long queues either. Good luck to everyone else.