We will be flying in from the US on AA and have decided to add a leg to Scotland, now I am trying to decide what time to schedule my 2nd flight. The second flight will be on BA, but since they are booked separately that seems to complicate things. The two flights I am looking at depart at 2:15pm or 9pm and we arrive at 11:05 am. I'd really like to catch the 2:15, is that cutting it too close? Would it make a difference if we only do carryons? Otherwise we may just run out to Windsor to kills some time. I hate wasting some of our precious vacation time in an airport.
Thanks in advance!
Nicki
Posted by
92 posts
If this is an unprotected connection, then you have to decide what your level of risk tolerance is, and what your travel insurance will cover, if your incoming flight is changed, delayed, or cancelled. This article might be helpful: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g41707-c207311/Newton:Massachusetts:Connecting.On.Separate.Tickets.html
Another option, if it works in your itinerary, would be to spend time in Scotland at another point in your trip, and take the train from London to Edinburgh.
Or you could see what it would cost you to change your flights, either to go directly to Scotland, or to make your itinerary open jaw/multi city/multiple destination.
Hope you find an itinerary that suits you, and that you enjoy your trip.
Posted by
92 posts
I was just reading a similar thread over on TA and noticed that post number 7 talks about another option, a partially flexible airline ticket from BA: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k10496923-Transfer_time_between_flights_at_Heathrow_w_separate_tickets-London_England.html
I wondered if that might be helpful. Of course you'll need to read the terms and conditions carefully, but on the off chance it could help you or another poster, I thought I'd mention it.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5457 posts
The plus fare is what the 'regular' economy used to be until they started selling hand baggage only tickets.
Edinburgh from Heathrow tends to get a bit pricey, so don't hang about making your mind up though, and it may not help as much as you think since the time shift could require a hefty fare difference.
Doing it without carryons only helps eliminate going to the bag drop as you will still go through immigration, arrivals land side and then re-enter departures and security (including your picture being taken as a domestic passenger).
Posted by
824 posts
I think you could make the 2:15 flight if there were NO delays and you only have carry-on luggage. If it were me, it would think about taking the train.
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2296 posts
Well, we did the two separate reservations last summer -train isn't an option when you're going to Ireland. We made it in a 3 hour window with no problem, but there is no guarantee. The luggage pick-up adds no time as luggage was waiting when we got through immigration. Where time gets cut off is if your flight is late and then your plane taxis forever trying to get a gate. We flew BA over, so I'm not sure if they have more crowding with their gates than American. Also, it helps to hustle towards immigration, if you chose this option.
We've also done flying to LHR and then taking a train to Edinburgh. My husband wasn't wild about the train ride after being on the plane for so long, but it was doable even in the middle of a tube strike. If there is luggage storage at the train station (we took the train from Kings Cross), you could walk around or see a bit of London.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks all. I bought the 9pm tickets. 10 hours should be plenty of time. If we make it for the earlier one I will see if we can get bumped since the fare does allow for changes. If not we will visit Windsor or crash at the airport.