USA to Munich on same ticket with layover at LHR- how much time needed to get to next flight?

Hi,
I recently flew O’hare-Heathrow-Munich via British Airways. Our flight into Heathrow was delayed by 30 minutes so our 2 hour layover turned into about 1.5 hours. We followed the purple signs for arrivals (and had to find our gate #), then went had to place all our liquids in a qt sized bag, went thru security (this took about 30mins) and back down to our gate. We had a about 15 mins to get food before our flight departed for Munich. This was my first international flight so I don’t know what the least available time is (and I only had carryon bags) .

When booking, the airlines shouldn’t book anything that doesn’t allow you time to get through security and find your gate.

If the ticket is booked as one/altogether your bags will be checked all the way to Munich.

Edited to add: we did not have to change terminals (flew in and out of terminal 5 which is British Airways hub)

You're doing the right thing by booking as one ticket, i.e. a USA-Munich ticket with a stop at LHR.

At LHR, you:

• Have to go through a security re-screening, including the 100 ml liquid rules
• Do not have to go through passport control or customs
• Do not have to pick up your bags (if you booked as one ticket of course!)

When you arrive in Munich, you will go through Schengen passport control there and pick up your checked bag.

Ironically carry-on only can be a disadvantage for connections in two ways. First, it's harder to run carrying or dragging a heavy bag. Second, security screening can take longer if you are carrying powders. The new powder rule limits carry-ons to "powder-based substances in carry-on baggage greater than 350mL or 12 oz. may require additional screening at the central checkpoint" When I carry containers of powder compliant to these limits, it still triggers a physical search and testing for residue. This secondary inspection requires pulling your bag, asking you for permission to search, finding the container and doing the residue test. Then closing up your bag before continuing your run.

If the flight to LHR is operated by American, you could land at Terminal 3. If the British Air departs from Terminal 5, add time for the journey between terminals. I use https://flightaware.com/ to get an idea as to arrival and departure terminals then plan accordingly and hope nothing changes.

https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/getting-around-heathrow/travel-between-terminals

Terminal 3 to: Terminal 4 and Terminal 5

Free shuttle trains run between Heathrow Central station (Terminals 2
& 3) and Terminal 4 or Terminal 5. There are four trains an hour.
Please note from 20 May 2018, to travel on the shuttle trains, you can
get a free Inter-Terminal Transfer ticket from the machines in the
station. You can also use an Transport for London Oyster card or a
contactless payment card which will not be charged when travelling
between terminals. Average journey time: 20 minutes

I haven’t transferred at LHR in years but discovered this LHR website when researching a recent itinerary, https://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections, it gives you approximate transfer times between flights. Since I chose a different route I can’t speak to the accuracy of the estimates. I hope it helps.

Linda, what are the connection times offered on the AA or BA website when you look at one-ticket itineraries between your home airport and Munich? Please share that flight info so people here can give you the advice you seek.

the connection times I am seeing are either 2 hours or 4 hours. Thoughts?
Linda

Two hours will be on the minimum with a terminal change. It is regularly doable, otherwise it wouldn't be sold, but if you are only a big late in it might be stressful. Only you can put a value on that risk over possibly 2 hours plus waiting.

All things being equal, I'd choose the 4 hour wait.

I just changed planes in LHR a day ago. Flew BA in from Budapest and BA out to the US. I made it from gate to gate in a mere 1:40. I sure love LHR .... not.

You may be on time landing, maybe not. Arrival time seems to be when the tires it the runway, so 30 min to get off the plane. Then a bus to the next terminal. Wait time and bus time about 40 min in my case. Then security another 30 min at best if your luggage isnt pulled for a search. Those guys were told it could take an hour due to staffing. Then in my case another train to the gate. Miserable airport. Only Chucky D is worse.

If you are fit, don't wait for a train to the satellites at T5 especially if you have just missed one as you can out pace it with a brisk walk on the level lower down

If they are connecting flight to MUC at + 2 hours and + 4 hours, consider the 2 hour flight with the 4 hours flight a potential option if your first flight is significantly delayed. The airline is obligated to get you to Munich.

So now it looks like we may have two separate tickets. One from US to LHR on United or AA points and then another separate ticket from LHR to Munich on Lufthansa. I guess that means in LHR I need to actually go to the ticket counter and check into the second flight and check my luggage and go through all the security again in LHR. Any thoughts on how much time that could take from landing to getting to the new gate? Assume a different terminal
THanks

United and Luftsansa are partners. If your first flight is on United, they may be willing to book bags the entire way. You will need to ask....

How is it that you don't know if you are flying on United or AA on the way over? Is someone else making the flight arrangements?

the connection times I am seeing are either 2 hours or 4 hours. Thoughts?

If this is the 2 separate tickets plan then the 4hr choice is, for me, the 'no brainer' option