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Is 2 hours enough time at LHR

Flying to Rome from US on British Airways. Connecting in London Heathrow. For return, flying to US from Venice through Heathrow. Is 2 hours enough time between flights?

Posted by
824 posts

In my experience, you should be fine. The outbound flight will be the tightest as you will need to process UK Border Control and re-enter the terminal through security. In addition to laptops, ALL electronic must be removed and prepared to be turned on. (Make sure they are all charged!)

You will probably fly out of terminal 5 for your Rome connection. This may also add some time... With 2 hours, you'll make your connection but you probably won't have time for much else (like a meal).

The return connection shouldn't be as tight. I have transferred to a US-bound flight in less than an hour...

Posted by
1060 posts

It is when everything runs on time or near it. On the past several flights to Europe our planes have been 30 minutes to 3 hours late, but that may just be our bad luck. I once heard airport advice put as "you can be stressed or bored; your choice." If there is an option with a 3-4 hour layover on the leg to Rome that's the one I'd choose, but maybe that's just me. Flying back to the US, I care less about being delayed than I do in starting the vacation so the 2 hour layover is what I'd choose.

Posted by
5311 posts

You do NOT need to go through immigration for these connections, only security, as your bags will be checked through if you have any and you can remain airside.

If both flights are in T5 the minimum connection is around an hour. If either flight is at T3 the MCT is 90 minutes. On a through ticket you will put onto the next possible flight if you miss it.

You don't give details of your USA airport so can't advise further.

Posted by
15560 posts

Maybe you don't go through Immigration, but I do remember that passports are checked before security. There are often long lines. If time is short, tell the nearest official. Often they will help you get to the front of the line. Also, do not underestimate the time it may take you to get to your gate once you are through security. There are signs that tell you how long to allow. If it says 20 minutes, believe it.

Posted by
3200 posts

If your flight is relatively on time, you should have time to waste in terminal 5. I fly BA, and although I leave 3 hours between flights at Heathrow, I have never needed it. Two hours is good.

Posted by
693 posts

If it is all on the one ticket then there is nothing to worry about. If there is a delay and you miss the connection then it is the airline's problem to solve; not yours.

Posted by
906 posts

I have to tell you that security in T3 is very slow. It took me an hour to get through and several others who travel through there told me that was to be expected, and maybe longer. It also takes a while to get to T3. So, beware. I hated it.