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Heathrow Layover Advice

So I just booked a family trip to Austria/Italy for next May. I'm flying British Airways from BWI to Vienna with a plane change at Heathrow.

My ticket has me arriving at Heathrow at 9:35 AM on and my connecting flight to Vienna is at 11:35 am. Both are on British Air. Oddly though, when entering my flight in Heathrow's flight connection guide, it lists my flight arriving at 9:50 AM. Not sure why there is a difference.

My concern is, currently my connecting flight is listed as Terminal 3, but I arrive at Heathrow in Terminal 5. Should I be worried about missing my flight with having to switch terminals and only having 1:45-2 hours between flights? Is it possible they could change which Terminal my connecting flight leaves from so maybe it will change to Terminal 5 and I won't have to leave the Terminal?

Unfortunately, the only other 2 flights available out of my airport have a 6 or 9 hour layover at Heathrow which means getting to Vienna late at night. Should I keep what I have?

Posted by
5310 posts

BA do on occasion shuffle flights round terminals, but there is no reason to expect a change.

BA sell itineraries involving T5-T3 transfers with a minimum connection time of 90 minutes, so they think you can make it.

You will need to take the airside connecting bus to T3 from T5. This goes from the main terminal (5A) and 5B but not directly from 5C. where you will need to go to B or A. Follow the Flight Connection signs, not arrivals.

You will then go through security in T3, then enter the departure area.

Posted by
11027 posts

As a single ticket it falls on BA to get you to your destination. I would keep the ticket, knowing if something goes sideways there are 2 later flights to get you to Vienna ( although not at an ideal time)

Posted by
16024 posts

Two hours is fine on a protected connection at Heathrow. If your incoming flight is so late that you miss the connection, they will find you a new flight.

I once timed the connection time from T5 to T3 and it was 45 minutes, gate to gate, including the security screen at T3. The inter-terminal connecting buses run frequently.

As explained above, you will follow the purple "flight connections" sign and stay airside (nompassport control). The first purple signs will be for all connection paths, but eventually you will get to one that says T3.

Posted by
1662 posts

Hi Jason,

Check with BA for confirmation or sign up to be notified with their app and email so you're covered for any information they need to send you. I fly BA from Logan to Heathrow. I usually like a 3.5- to 4-hour layover. So, the flight(s) I choose accommodate that. I got an email from BA awhile ago that my flight changed by 1 hour - leaving later. No biggie to me. I still get to Italy at the time I was originally scheduled. As far as a Terminal change, it could be the day of flight, it changes.

Posted by
3985 posts

If your connection is in fact 90 minutes, you may not want to check a bag. You might make the connection but your bag may not. If you have to check a bag, bring clothing in your carryon for a couple of days -- just in case.