Happy New Year! We are flying from JFK to Rome with a connection in London Heathrow on British Airways in late April. Both flights (JFK-LHR, LHR-FCO) are in Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Will we go through passport control in London or just a security screen? Looking at the BA website, it looks like we just go through a security screening but I wanted to verify that. Also, assuming we go through immigration in Rome, how long does that usually take for a flight coming from London around 2 PM? I've always landed in Rome in the early morning with several other planes so I am wondering how traffic is in the afternoon. TIA!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33821 posts
2 flights on 2 tickets or 2 flights on 1 ticket?
Posted by
OP
Charleston, SC, USA
925 posts
One ticket
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2597 posts
no immigration at LHR just security to board your flight to Rome
immigration at Rome
Posted by
OP
Charleston, SC, USA
925 posts
Thanks for the info!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Heathrow's website has a wonderful connection tool. Put in all the specifics of your flights, and you'll see all the steps involved and the estimated time it will take for the transfer: https://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections
Posted by
OP
Charleston, SC, USA
925 posts
Thanks Harold!
Posted by
Washington, the State
107 posts
We just came through Heathrow last week. We are so impressed with the level of signage and the number of helpful employees who will direct you clearly and cheerfully. Although I can't answer your question directly, Stephen, I can assure you there will be plenty of folks at LHR who can help you. Happy travels! - Polly
Posted by
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
503 posts
You will go through passport control and security. Depending upon how many flights are arriving at the time will influence how long it will take you to clear both. The Heathrow planner assumes everything runs on schedule - real life however is a different matter. Since I tend to fly BA when going to Europe, I allow three hours between flights - sometimes that means I have time for a sandwich and a bathroom break - and sometimes not. As I mentioned, it all depends upon how many flights land at the same time as yours does.
Aside from booking flights, I've found trying to estimate how long it will take from landing to ground transportation to be a useless exercise - there are simply too many variables to consider.
Posted by
Queens, NYC
571 posts
You will go through passport control and security.
This isn't correct: no passport control will be required at LHR. (A security check is though.) Heathrow, unlike US airports, doesn't require those passengers who are in transit between two non-British/Irish destinations on a single ticket to clear passport control. A check of Heathrow's official website reveals the same: the steps for a same-terminal transfer require just a hand baggage check and security screening.