Will be on tour in late September and will return to the states flying from Edinburgh in the morning on a Thursday to Heathrow for a connecting early afternoon flight. Since British Airways is the only choice to LHR, and you need to check luggage, what can you expect after arriving at LHR? Baggage pick up at gate or go to claim? Have read where you'll need 20-25 minutes to get from terminal 3 to 5. When getting to terminal 5 do you need to go back through security? Exactly where do you need to provide documents for US reentry? Ticket counter, gate? Trying to figure out how much time to leave between flights to cover as many contingencies as possible. (Much like everyone else.) Thanks. Have flown into/out of Heathrow a few times but never had to make connections.
Posted by
Freedonia
14944 posts
Use this link for transfer information: https://www.heathrow.com/connecting-flights
Humor us... give us the following information so we can help you....
1) Is this on one ticket?
2) Will both of your flights be on British Airways?
3) Where are you going in the US?
British Airways flights from EDI to LHR arrive at Terminal 5.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Sorry, tried to list as much info as possible.
1. No. We already have a Delta flight (Virgin Atlantic) from LHR to JFK with a 2:40 departure.
2. No. See above.
3. JFK.
4. Got terminals switched. Return flight from LHR to US leaves from terminal 3.
Also, we will be doing only "carry on" on the Delta leg.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1802 posts
Sorry but this reads like you will check bag at EDI but reclaim at LHR to carry on to your Virgin flight?
If you are doing carry on only then the link to Heathrow’s connection site will describe the process. I believe there is an airside bus between terminals that will keep you in the secure area so no additional security screening needed. The hitch may be getting your boarding pass for the VA flight. If you can check in online and get it then no issues. I couldn’t get the website to upload my test results when I tried last week. In that case you will need to stop at one of the airline’s customer service desk or perhaps at the gate.
If you are checking a bag you need to reclaim it at LHR. Then exit and transit between terminals landslide. Use either the tube or the Heathrow express. The later requires a free transit ticket that you get from the ticket machine. Then go through security screening at T3. When I was there the screening was taking longer than usual. Many people had their bags pulled aside for additional screening and hand searching.
I would leave plenty of time to do such a self connect. Especially this year as BA has been canceling many flights. In fact I would fly in the day before and just stay at an airport hotel.
Posted by
Sweden
6334 posts
My advice is to head south the day before and spend the last night in London. Heathrow is not spared from the problems that many airports suffer from. https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/heathrow-airport-advises-passengers-arrive-24157379
So for a 14:40 departure you should be at Terminal 3 11:40, add time to collect your bag and travel between the terminals you should land no sooner than 10:30, hence need a flight that departs no later than 9. And with queues at Edinburgh airport that means you probably need to be there at 7. And that is assuming there are no delays. Of course we can't know what the situation at the airports is in September, but since it is your flight home, it would be expensive if you miss it.