British Airways Boston (BOS) to Heathrow (LHR) to Milan (MXP) - 60 minute layover at Heathrow

In all honesty, it's doubtful that you will make the connection and BA (like every other airline) does not care one whit. They want to fill seats and if you "miss" the connection and have to wait around 11 hours - no skin off their backs. So, the question is - what's the cost of re booking your flights and what is the time/cost tradeoff worth to you? I wish I could tell you what the "right" decision is - but not knowing your priorities or the cost, I can't. I am more than furious that airlines continue to get away with this practice but.. until the public demands changes it will remain as it is.

Definitely a tight connection. If your flight from Boston is on time then you may make it. Plug in your travel date and flight info to LHR’s connections guide to find out what to expect.

https://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections

In general you will not need to go through immigration as you are not entering the UK and only transiting through LHR. You will probably have a security screening.

If you miss the connection BA should get you on the next flight with an open seat. Pack a change of clothes in your carry on in case your bag doesn’t make the connection. Plan something to occupy your time in case you miss the earlier flight. Maybe head out to Windsor for the day or spring for a lounge pass.

Good luck. Hope you make it!

That does sound like a tight connection, but the next flight to MXP for the random date I checked is at 15:05 which is 7.5 hours later, not 11. Does this flight not exist on the day you fly? In between there are three flights to Linate, which is a bit of a problem with checked luggage, but perhaps they have a way of managing that, since the plane cannot take off with your luggage if you are not also on board.

It sounds like you have already booked this, but if you haven’t, or if there is still time to change it, why not book the 9:20 flight to Linate instead?

i do not know what day you are wanting to LHR to MXP, I see a flight at 15;00 on British AIRWAYS
do not worry. you will get there and if not at the time they said file a claim;

BA (like every other airline) does not care one whit. They want to fill seats and if you "miss" the connection and have to wait around 11 hours - no skin off their backs.

not so you just have to file the claim if your flight is delayed without notice and it is not strike or weather related

It appears both of OP's flights use T-5. That should help

A one hour T5-T5 connection is certainly doable but no slack for dawdling.

If it happens that your inbound flight lands at a satellite (B or C) and your outbound one leaves from a satellite, clear security at the satellite. If either uses the main terminal (A) you have to clear security there.

You need to reach security at a minimum of 35 minutes before your scheduled takeoff time.

Liante is considered in general to be a more convenient airport for Milan than Malpensa, which is why more flights go there from London.

Thank you for the replies.

The 3:00 flight is welcome news. I don't know if that is a change to the schedule, or if I missed it when I looked previously.

MXP is preferable to LIN because our end destination is Lake Como and I gather it is easier to get there from MXP. I am also meant to connect with other family members flying into MXP from other cities.

In reference to filing a claim, do I have any recourse if I am not able to make my connecting flight? I believe my credit card might provide coverage, but I don't know if that is voided if there is an available flight to LIN? Do I have any ability to file a claim with British Airways?

If i miss the flight, I do have access to the Priority Pass lounge. The lounge indicates there is a 3-hour maximum however. I have never been to London. Would it make sense to leave the airport if I end up with 6+ hours to pass?

I have never traveled internationally and am doing so on my own, so I am most appreciative of input from those who are far more experienced travelers!

Thanks again,
Nancy

Hmmmm. Six hours to go to London.

So let’s call it 1 hour for passport control. It can be as little as 15 minutes but it’s higly variable. The roughly an hour each way to get you to and from LHR. So leaves you about 3 hours in town. Probably enough time to do a quick walk around part of town.and or a quick visit to one of the sites.

I’d probably do it but I get antsy sitting around waiting for my flight.

What interests you in London? Art? Parks? Food?

Much less than three hours since you need time to clear security on your return to Heathrow.

Lounge passes are good for three hours but you can buy more time once inside.

If I did my math correctly, OP is thinking about getting back to LHR at 1PM for a 3PM flight. No check in and baggage drop as she would already have been checked in. 2 hours to get through security and get to gate before the door closes. Seems OK to me but please correct me if I’m mistaken. Of course some people like to leave a bigger time buffer.

ETA: probably more like 90 minutes before the door closes.

I am not sure what you mean about 'claiming' against British Airways in the event of a misconnect. You will be covered by EU 261/2004 as you are on an EU-based carrier travelling to the EU. If you misconnect in any event you are entitled meals and refreshments in proportion to the waiting time; two phonecalls / emails; and overnight accommodation (unlikely, but not impossible if everything is fully booked). You are re-routed at the earliest possible opportunity. If this is to Liante then ground transport to Malpensa would be covered. You can choose to take a later flight if available but delay compensation would be counted to the earliest.

If it is considered to be a delay within the airline's responsibility then compensation of €600 would kick in after a 4 hour delay; this is why I think you would be offered the earlier Liante flight to avoid this if space is available.