We're flying from US to Bologna on American Airlines with flight change to British Air in London Heathrow and will have one checked bag. Will we need to go through either customs or immigration at Heathrow or retrieve our checked bag there? Or will bag be checked through to Bologna and we instead do immigration and customs there at final destination? Thx for any info and tips!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7225 posts
Immigration in both UK and Bologna
(UK is not in Schengen)
Checked bag thru depends on airline and of that I am not sure
Customs will be as you exit terminal in Bologna and is no big deal
Posted by
Freedonia
16408 posts
Is this on one ticket or did you buy them separately?
If one ticket, you won't see your bag until Bologna and will go through immigration in Italy as well. You will follow the flight connection signs at Heathrow. You will also have to go through security at Heathrow but no immigration. (Your passport will be checked but that's by the airline.)
Go to this website, fill in the information and you will get step by step instructions.
http://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections.
If this is two separate tickets, then you have to go through immigration at Heathrow, pick up your check bag and go through customs. Then recheck it back in for your flight to Bologna.
Posted by
OP
Tucson AZ
17 posts
Thx Cristine for info!
Posted by
OP
Tucson AZ
17 posts
Thx for info and link, Frank. The flights are all on one ticket. So hopefully bag will just go on through to Bologna automatically when we change planes. Thx!
Posted by
seattle
2144 posts
We transfered at LHR recently for our final Paris destination. The passport check was very quick. We did have to go through another security check that took about 30 minutes. You will probably have to change terminals which is done by bus. There are sighs and LHR staff to help you find your way.
Posted by
Freedonia
16408 posts
Since this is on one ticket, you will not go through immigration at Heathrow. Your passport will be checked by the airline but this is not immigration.
Please use the link I noted above to get step by step instructions.
Your AA flight arrives at terminal 3 and your BA flight departs from terminal 5. When you follow the flight connections signs, you'll be taken by bus airside from T3 to T5.
When you check in for your AA flight, make sure the baggage tag is for Bologna.
Posted by
OP
Tucson AZ
17 posts
Thanks Frank and all for this helpful info!