Making a Connection at Heathrow

The last two times I arrived in Heathrow at 7 am it took over an hour to pass thru passport control. We actually got off the plane and into the airport at 7:30 am, moved through an organized line-up of hundreds of people, and finally exited passport control after 8:30. It doesn't seem to take long to pick up luggage (mine is all carry-on), but you're not going to be available for another flight from a different terminal until about 10 am at the earliest IMO. So my estimate is that 3 hours is the least time I would allow for a layover between flights using different terminals at Heathrow. If you are flying to Italy, you may not have to pass thru passport control at Heathrow and that would save you that aggravating hour there. You would probably do the passport control in Italy, which is probably quicker.

Why would you need to collect your bags and have it rechecked. If you are continuing on you will not need to go through passport control. You should be able to go to the transfer desk and get your boarding passes for your next flight.

Also, even if flying different airlines, you should be able to interline your bags - i.e. no need to pick them up in London. The originating airline should be able to check it all the way through to your final destination (obviously, they will want to see the confirmation/tkt for your connecting flight).

Unless I'm missing something, such as you are planning on leaving from Gatwick or Luton or City airport, you shouldn't have much of a problem. If that is the case, allow at least 2 hrs for a connection at LHR.

Thanks Arnold!

I have never flown into Europe, nevermind picking up a separate flight so I wasn't sure how it worked. I couldn't figure out from the Heathrow website whether I had to deal with my baggage or not. Sounds like I don't need to worry about that part - thanks!

You should have no problem interlining your bags at Heathrow. Since its so busy and costly to fly to (relative to other London airports), only major airlines (not the low-cost ones) fly there and almost all major airlines can transfer bags from one to the other. You may even be able to get your boarding passes if the airlines you are flying on are part of the same alliance (e.g. United to Lufthansa would be all on Star Alliance or American to BA would be Skyteam, I think). Just make sure both airline itineraries are linked, if possible.

That being said, 2 to 3 hours is about the right time to connect at LHR.

If you are booked on one ticket on either the same airline or codeshare partner airlines, then your baggage will be checked through and you'll be able to stay airside.

If you have separate tickets, you'll have to claim your luggage, check in for your second flight, and re-check your luggage.

If yours will be the second scenario, then you'll need a minimum of three hours to make the connection.

You really should check with your originating airline as to whether you can check the bags through or not. It will depend, in part, on what other airline you are going with. Some are more accomodating than others. If you have to change terminals to catch your ongoing flight you will have to go through passport control, which could take some time. The last time I was through Heathrow I was changing airports, too, so I had to collect my bag anyway, but some airports require you to do so no matter what your ongoing plans are. For instance, at O'Hare in Chicago you have to claim your bags from any international flight and then recheck them if you are continuing on.

I have traveled many times through Heathrow and have not had to go through passport control unless I was entering the UK. When changing terminals (i.e. 3 to 1) I have just gone through the transfer desk and did not have to go through passport control.

As mentioned in another post, just check with the originating airline if they interline to the next airline. If the airlines are part of the same alliance (i.e. either Star (UA, LH, SK, OS, BD) or Oneworld (AA, BA, IB) or SkyTeam (DL, AF, NW, CO, etc.) you should be fine.

Also, not sure whether you bought your tickets to LHR already, if not, note that the taxes are very high if starting or terminating a flight in the UK - whereas the taxes are much less if you are just connecting. Hence, in your case it will save you a lot of money not to have 2 separate tkts

Wanted to add a correction to what a previous poster said, you do not have to claim bags even if holding separate tickets provided the originating airline 'interlines' your bag to the connecting airline.

Thanks to all who have replied - appreciate it!

I'm flying Virgin and likely either British Airways or Czech Airlines (leaning toward Prague over Milan) for my connection. Neither are codeshare partners with Virgin. We already have our tickets with Virgin.

It sounds like we probably don't have to collect baggage and we would just need to get a boarding pass (I'd probably print one before leaving the US) and make our way to the other terminal. Also, sounds like I should find out from the airline if I need to get my baggage prior to leaving Boston. Either way I should allow at least 3 hours in between.

Virgin Atlantic and British Airways hate each other and won't handle the others checked baggage. But most all of the other national carrier type airlines will transfer luggage between them.

I'll emphasize what Michael said. You WILL need to claim your luggage, and re-check it when you check in for your ongoing flight. As I said in my previous note, allow three hours between flights.

Tom: I don't think you are right on this. If the bags are interlined you do not need to claim them till your final destination. Are you mixing this up with entry into the US where you have to claim them at 1st point of entry. If the OP is not entering the UK, just transiting, then there is no need to claim bags or go through passport control.