When we came to Scotland and had a connection at Heathrow to Glasgow, we knew to expect to go through security again at Heathrow. I assumed it was because we flew from outside the UK, but maybe I’m wrong.
When we fly back to the states, we’ll fly from Glasgow to Heathrow and then on to the US. Will we go through security again at Heathrow, or will our departure from Glasgow be our only security since it’s within the UK? Trying to figure out what to expect time wise.
Thanks for any feedback. 🙂
If you follow the connecting route you won't need to go through security again.
Basically any time before you get on a plane, you’re going to go thru security. Doesn’t matter if your second plane is in a different country than your first, or the same country. Unless you’ve picked up a bunch of containers of fluids between flights, or long, sharp objects, the security at Heathrow shouldn’t be any more unpleasant than the one at Glasgow. Shouldn’t, anyway.
I asked at Heathrow a couple of years ago, and was told there wasn’t any “Airside,” connecting path that will bypass security, and was directed to the queue with everybody else, heading to the next security screening.
Even just now, on the www.heathrow.com Website FAQ’s:
How do I find my connecting flights at Heathrow?
Connecting through Heathrow may seem daunting, but the airport is well signposted to make things easier. Just follow the purple connections signs which clearly point you in the direction of the departure lounge or buses if you are travelling from a new terminal. Be warned: everyone who boards a new flight at Heathrow will have to go through security
The answer is.....it depends.
I'm guessing you're flying British Airways between Glasgow and Heathrow. What airline are you flying to the US?
If you are flying British Airways the entire way and don't have to change terminals, there is no security check at Heathrow. However, if you have to change terminals, then you will be on a bus with people connecting from all over the world and will go through security at the new terminal.
Plug in your flight information at this website for step by step instructions:
Talk to your airline. When we flew out of Heathrow two weeks ago there were terminal announcements asking people going to the US to be at departure gates two hours beforehand because of "additional security" requirements for the US.
We were flying from Spain to Australia via London. We went through full security screening in Heathrow as part of the connection process and then had an additional security screening at our departure gate for our flight. It was just an additional X-ray of carry on luggage, confiscation of any liquids that were over size and 'wanding' of passengers. It didn't really slow things down as they did it on the way into the gate lounge area from the terminal area. There were unhappy people though who had bought large bottles of water in the terminal and had to empty them out.
Frank II has the answer. IF (and only if) your fly from Glasgow on BA and connect to a US-bound BA flight, you stay in Terminal 5: and go straight from “domestic”arrivals to your departure area for the US bound flight, without another security check. For all other airlines, even if on one ticket (such as AA), you will change terminals and go through security in the new terminal.
I confirmed this by working through the Connection Planner” on the website Cyn provided, using first a BA to BA connection, and then with a BA to AA and a BA to Delta connection. For the first scenario, the website showed “Welcome to Heathrow—Departure lounge —-Ready to fly”. For the others, there was a “prepare for security” step between the Welcome and the Departure lounge.
Hi, AliB,
Frank II and Lola are correct. If you are flying BA from GLA to LHR, then taking a connecting BA flight back to the US, you only go through security at Glasgow, which I have to say is a hell of a lot easier and more pleasant than going through security at Heathrow.
You should make sure that you have at least 90 minutes between your arrival time in Heathrow and your departure time to the US. If you are making the transAtlantic portion of your journey on a non-BA airline, give yourselves 2 1/2 hours.
Sometimes it doesn't make a difference. Last July, our flight from GLA to LHR was delayed by two hours, resulting in our missing our connecting flight to PHL. Fortunately, we were able to get the last two seats on a later flight to BWI, so at least we were able to get home the same day. But it was a 17 hour day from GLA to BWI, so we were completely knackered by the time we arrived home. :(
Not to worry - BA are really good about getting you to your destination!
Best wishes and good luck!
Mike (Auchterless)
I forgot to mention earlier......I've done this. Sort of.
Manchester--Heathrow--USA. Terminal 5 arrival and departure. No security at Heathrow.
We deplaned in the main terminal and I was able to walk (train) directly to my gate in Satellite B. With stopover in the lounge.
Thank you all for taking time to reply. And, yes, I’m happy to say it’s BA both flights and all in terminal 5. I’ll update afterwards on how it went.
Coming to Scotland our connection at Heathrow was doable, and that was thanks to this forum and other sites. We knew to expect security, so we hurried and made the connecting flight. I did feel bad for those with mobility issues; I doubt the connection time for our flight (1.5 hours) was doable.
This included that short train ride even though it was all in terminal 5.
Some Heathrow security personnel were polite, others weren’t as much. Such a tough job.
Our one checked bag didn’t make the connection. The Glasgow baggage claim people were very helpful. The bag was promptly put on the next flight from Heathrow, and we were delayed at the airport only an hour. A flexible mindset helped keep stress lower.
Thanks again.
No second security at Heathrow. 🙂 When we deplaned from Glasgow, there were two of the purple Flight Connections signs. One was for Terminal 5 departures (us) and the other was for all other connections.
We just had to scan our boarding pass and we were off to find our gate.
A look at the boards said we’d be Terminal 5, C gates, so we took the elevator then the short train to the C gates. We had a few minutes to grab a cold sandwich before our specific C gate was announced, which was about 15 minutes before boarding began.
Thanks again! So happy we didn’t have security the second time.
