Time for plane change at LHR

BA shouldn't let you book flights that don't have sufficient time to make the transfer, unless you have flights under separate Booking Reference Numbers and they don't necessarily "know" that you have both flights. We have flights booked next summer from France to LHR, then LHR to the USA, with a 2-hours-and-10-minutes stopover, and that's cutting it close. I wouldn't allow any less time.

Heathrow security lines can be long, but they move pretty quickly - as long as you have your travel liquids in a plastic Zip-lock bag. And they usually don't display the departure gate until about 20-40 minutes before departure, so you have just enough time to hoof-it from the main departures hall to your gate. Transferring between terminals would definitely require extra time.

Are those flights on one ticket? Then BA takes care you'll catch your second flight.

If you buy the flights as one ticket, BA will build in the required minimum connection time. But you can check on that here:

http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/airport-information/london-heathrow-airport/lhr-connections

They say to allow a minimum of 60-70 minutes for a connection within T5 from an arriving international flight to a departing flight. Personally I would want a bit more.

Here, plug in your data and the airport will tell you the connection time.
http://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections

BUT, this is that big trip of a lifetime. Every moment counts. What happens if your flight arrives 10% late. 10% could be an hour!!! Now what. You just lost one precious day of vacation trying to arrange another flight.

"Will it be on time or an hour late?" Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement you sort of don't consider such things. But being this is BA, the most powerful Airline in the world and what do you think they will do for you, you've gotta ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya?

Okay if you are my generation you might have recognized that......

It has always taken me 1 hour or slightly less for the change at T5 on BA. However, I plan 2 1/2 to 3 hours for the transition, just in case.

I'm currently looking at a 2 hr 20 min change - all on one ticket on BA. LHR isn't my favorite airport, but at least I'm staying within one terminal. Does anyone feel that this isn't adequate?

As I indicated, that time would be acceptable to me, and I'm fairly conservative. I always have plenty of time to wait at T5.

I don't think you will have any problems making your follow on flight. I personally find Heathrow fairly efficient but that may just be my good luck! From Denver, I fly in and out of T-5 all the time. Connection time of 2 hrs 20 mins should be plenty of time.

Hi Bob, I've made it though there in under an hour in the summer due to delays. They give you a "FastTrack" pass if that's the case. With 2.5hrs you'll even have time to check out the shops or grab meal or a coffee. If you like Asian food, check out Wagamama's. Eating there is my Heathrow tradition. Also know that even though the line is usually long at Starbucks, it moves very quickly. Two more "pro tips:" At 14 days before departure it's often possible to book exit row seats on British Airways for $83ea. I always pay to choose my seat and then pay the difference to upgrade to the exit row if I can at two weeks out. When you arrive in London from N. America you are usually at T-5B or T-5C there's a train to get to T-5A and taking the elevators behind the escalators is generally faster than the escalators. I learned this by following a group of crew members.

Heathrow is a good airport; very organized and efficient with great signage. AA and BA are not among my favorite airlines and they don't inspire trust in their being on time. But I admit that for me its all perception, I have never checked their record. When possible I try and schedule 2 hour + layovers when crossing the Atlantic and 1.5 on the shorter flights on the continent. Just for peace of mind.

Thanks for all of your comments.
I'm good now.

If you have a short connection, do tell staff at every waiting point so they can expedite your passage. I have encountered long waits, especially for security. T-5 is huge and it can take you 15-20 minutes to get to your gate once you're through security. Also keep in mind that if someone says it took them 60 minutes, they usually mean from the time they got into the terminal until they got to their gate. You usually get into the terminal at least several minutes after you land and you usually need to be at your boarding gate 20-30 minutes before scheduled departure time. Once they close that door, you are out of luck, no matter how long that plane sits at the gate.

It's been my experience that there's a direct link between short connections and delayed luggage. If you are checking bags, do put everything you need for your first 24-48 hours in your cabin luggage.

Note that you will need to go through immigration on arrival at LHR as flights to Dublin operate in the same manner as flights to UK destinations so be prepared with your documents. You will then go through immigration again on arrival at Dublin.

Chani is correct. Published arrival times are the time the plane is fully parked. So add ay least 10 minutes to get off it. If you are really unlucky and have a flight that parks on the tarmac then add another 10 minutes for the bus ride. Some departing flights close the doors 15 minutes prior to departure so you could loose 35 minutes before you start running.

As Nordheim says, don't worry about a short connection time if it's all with BA. If you have a short connection thy will give you a "FastTrack" pass to skip all the lines. Yes, it's always possible a delay in your flight might make you miss you connection but that can happen even with a 3 hour layover. In that event BA will just put you on the next available flight.

DJ

Your time frame is good to go. I hve had shorter connection times all 4 trips through Heathrow in the past year and had no problems. As mentioned by others we were "fasttracked" twice and it worked like a charm. BA is pretty good about working with you on short connections. Be sure to show everyone the orange fastrack sheet if you receive one, they respond well!.