Allwe are sending our 19.5 yr old twins sons on a special treat to Europe this summer, Berlin and Amsterdam, British Air. I want to share all the knowledge we can on navigating Heathrow (not that they will listen!). As luck would have it, they are taking essentially the same flights my wife and I took last summer (substitute Prague for Berlin), but I did not take notes.
I specifically recall we landed from US at LHR 5B, took the little subway train to 5A, went through passport control, and then went through security again before going to the departure from 5A. On the return, we landed 5A. But I do not recall at what point we went through the security line again -was it there, or did that happen after we shuttled over to 5B? And more importantly, looking at BAs map of LHR 5 it looks like they may have figured a way to keep you sterile now for these connections. Anyone with recent travel there who can give me the facts? We want to do our best so that if anything gets tight they know what they should be doing (they have 2.5 hours outbound, 2 inbound, plenty for us, but you know kids!)
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17438 posts
We just flew through Heathrow earlier this month. As far as I know, you will always go through security again between flights, even if you stay "airside". I wouldn't worry about where that actually occurs, as it cannot be avoided. Just make sure they know what their departure terminal is for their ongoing flight. Soome BA flights to the continent depart from T3 instead of T5. In either case, you just follow the purpoe "flight connections" signs and pay attention to what terminal they are directing you to. There is a train shuttle between T5A and T5B, but if they have to go to T3 they will take a "dedicated" bus.
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
265 posts
It is also my experience that in Heathrow, all connecting passengers go through security again, regardless of origin or destination.