I am flying to Heathrow from Wash. DC, my sister is flying from Denver to Heathrow. I arrive 2 hours before her. How do I meet up with her? I'm assuming we'll both arrive at Term. 4, can I just walk to her gate and meet her?
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5850 posts
What airline are you flying? Assuming that you are flying direct from IAD, you will either land at T1 (United), T5 (BA), or T3 (Virgin). What airline is your sister flying? If you go to the Heathrow airport website and click on "which terminal", you can find the info.
Regardless, you will need to go through immigration. There are various shops outside of the secure area. If you let us know which airlines/terminals, perhaps someone can suggest something at Heathrow.
Will you be staying in London? If so, I always suggest to people that they meet at the hotel. That way if someone's flight is delayed, the other doesn't have to spend hours in the airport. You can always leave a message at the front desk for the other person.
Posted by
Adelaide, SA, Australia
977 posts
This is a situation where mobile (cell) phones are invaluable. A quick text to each other will solve all your problems.
Posted by
Richardson, TX, USA
153 posts
Agree with Judy. Just hope you and your sister have GSM phones (AT&T or T-Mobile) otherwise you can't use them over there.
Posted by
CA, USA
333 posts
Heathrow won't usually allow you to go the individual gates until your flight is getting ready to depart and when arriving you can't really divert to another gate without going through customs first.
Best to plan to meet up with her in the actual terminal or baggage claim.
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
780 posts
Heathrow is a huge airport. I would just meet her at the hotel. Or find out which terminal she is coming into. If you are both coming into the same terminal, you could always wait at the arrivals gate. At arrivals area for gates 4 and 5 I know they have a Costa coffee shop and thats where I always take a rest and have a cup to wake up a bit after I arrive.