Please tell me if there is or is NOT a fee for leaving Heathrow for Rome? I've read that you need to pay a fee before boarding the flight out of the country? Yes or No?
Also since we can only obtain our seat assignment on British Airway 24 hr ahead of our departure from the USA and I assume from Italy, I've had the bulkhead and the last couple rows on a 747 suggested. What are your thoughts? Since we have only 2 hours in Heathrow going to Italy, we would choose the front of the plane for quicker deplaning. If you have traveled recently did you fly into Terminal 1 and out of Terminal 1. Again I've been reading British Airways site and can't determine if they really did change the arrival terminal from 4 to 1. When you check-in, do you also get your seat assignment for the connecting flight out of Heathrow. Can't get a "live" person on the 800 number to ask these questions. Thanks for your input. b
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
All taxes and fees of any kind will have been included in the price of your ticket(s). When you check in for your flight to Heathrow, ask for a boarding pass for your flight to Rome.
According to the Heathrow Web site, BA flights to Rome leave from Terminal 1.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I've never heard of any fee required for leaving the UK. I flew through there on my way to Spain in May. Your airport fees and taxes are, as the above poster said, included in your ticket price. Bulkhead seats are usually snapped up quickly because of their increased leg room, so I am not sure you'll be able to get those. Be sure to check in as soon as that 24-hr-ahead period opens before your flight so you have the most choice.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5515 posts
I've flown to and from Heathrow many times and have never paid a fee there. However, I vaguely recall reading that earlier this year (in Jan or Feb) the fees at Heathrow (which you pay when you buy your ticket) were raised. Some of the airlines were notifying passengers who bought tickets before the fee increase that they would need to pay the difference.
You might have to change terminals at Heathrow if you are coming from the U.S. and flying on to Rome or vice-versa. I believe that BA flights from the U.S. land at terminal 4. The BA website should show what terminals are used for flights to and from various cities. Your itinerary should show the terminals. Ask when you check-in if you will have to change terminals. If you do, just follow the transfer signs at Heathrow.
Usually you can get your boarding passes (including seat assignment) for your connecting flight when you first check-in.
As far as looking for good seats, try seatguru.com
Posted by
OP
525 posts
Laura, When we check in online how do we get the seat assignment for the connecting flight out of Rome? We're on British Airway. We can request our seat assignment only 24 hr. in advance of our departure. We've never flown BA before and can't get to a "live" person. Just another "adventure" in travel.
Thanks for the info.
Posted by
OP
525 posts
Laura, I forgot to say I have been on www.seatguru to see what seats are good, bad and maybe okay. It shows where the mechanical equipment is so you don't have as much leg space. I think I'll choose the front of the plane and not the two seats in the back as we only have 2 hour layover in Heathrow and if we have to go from Terminal 4 to 1, I don't know where we go to transfer and if we go through any security again. Does anyone have the answer? We are carrying our backpacks.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5515 posts
Hi Miss B,
I haven't done online check-in so I'm not exactly sure how that works when you have a connection.
When you arrive in London and get off the plane, there will be signs that say something like "flight connections" with arrows. Follow those signs to the right terminal. To get from terminal 4 to terminal 1 there will be short shuttle bus ride. Once you get into terminal 1, you will go through a security line again with x-ray machines. Everything is well marked; you should have no problem.
If for any reason your flight is delayed, ask the flight attendant for help. While Heathrow is a big and crowded airport, 2 hours should be plenty of time to get to your departure gate.
One thing important to know about Heathrow is that you can only carry on one bag (not a purse and a carry-on bag like in the U.S.). You can put your purse inside your carry-on and take it out later, but when you go through security you can only have one item.
Have fun in Rome!
Posted by
OP
525 posts
Suzann,Thank you for your reply on the arrival at Heathrow and getting my seat assignment for the connecting flight out of London to Rome. I "like" having the seat assignments when I book my flights like most other airlines but BA makes you wait until 24 hr in advance. I have it in RED on my calendar at the exact time I can sign in to choose my seat. I've never flown a 747 so it's difficult to see what I should choose but I have been on www.seatguru to get an idea. Thanks again. I need all the help I can get for directions.
Posted by
Orangevale, CA, USA
125 posts
Miss B~
I had the same questions when I landed at Heathrow to go on to Munich. Like the previous poster just follow the direction and people to your terminal. Also, when you do your initial check-in they usually give you a map type thing on how to get where you need to be. It does take about an hour to get through but if you don't think you have enough time tell a BA agent who will take you to the express check-in and you will save about 30 minutes. Also, when we did our 24 hour check-in we were able to select our seats for both flights, US to London and London to Munich.