Flying into LHR on United, then on BMI to Scotland (EDI). Segments booked and ticketed seperately. Do I have to go through customs at LHR, then check in on BMI...OR can I check luggage from PDX to EDI? United and BMI are Star Alliance partners, but as I said, tickets booked seperately. Thanks!
Also, can I use BMI lounge, if I am a Premeir Exec?
Thanks!
If both airlines are partners, you can usually have your bags checked all the way to your final destination; even if you have separate tickets. If so, you won't have to reclaim your bags at Heathrow. You will have to specifically request this at the check-in desk at the airport. Be sure to have either your printed itinerary or boarding pass for your flight to EDI.
I make the United-BMI LHR connection quite often. They are both in Terminal 1 which helps. United will check your luggage through. BMI is a Star Alliance member so you should be able to use the lounge assuming your level is high enough. They stopped announcing flights in the lounge so make sure you pay attention to the monitors
You will have to go through customs at LHR. Make sure you get into the 'Connecting Flights to UK/Ireland' queue (to the left side and around the corner) and not the general arrival in UK immigration line.
You will have to answer the standard immigration questions (make sure you have the address where you will be staying. Not having an address is a red flag) you then have your picture taken and will be given a card. Then you will go through another security scan/carry-on check. They will not allow ANY liquids through.
Finally, you will come out into the main terminal. I usually stop by the BMI desk (or lounge)to see if my bags made it through (have your luggage tags out) and check to see if there is a gate assigned for the flight yet. Once the gate is assigned (40 minutes before the flight) you'll have to go through another security check where they will check your picture/passports and then a (potentially very long) walk to the BMI gate.
In January we did it with an 1:45 and a 1 hour layover. We actually had plenty of time to spare but a single delay could cause a major problem so I would suggest at least 1:30 to 2 hours.
It is the tickets booked seperately that troubles me. I did that in 2002, so I allowed a long layover (I think 4 hours) just in case our American Airlines flight was delayed. ( I have heard that if you miss the second flight, you are out of luck, versus when you are booked on American all the way through (even if it involves another airline) they will get you on a later flight if it is their fault you are late) As it turns out, we were on time and had to kill a lot of time at Heathrow, but I think it was still a good idea. I know anytime I use Easy jet or anything (to get around Europe) I always allow a lot of time to connect up to my flight home. (sometimes overnight)
I am like you, afraid that we will miss the flight "if" United will not book us all the way through. They have noted the files, but it will be up to the United ticket agent at PDX to follow thru. That's what makes me nervous. IF the ticket agent does not check thru our luggage, will a 2 hour layover be enough to go thru customs and then re-enter and check our bags and ticket back thru BMI? I can book a later flight, but that puts it at LHR for 4 1/2 hours.
Thanks for all your answers!
A bigger concern Kaye is that BMI is under no obligation to honor your flights if United is late when purchased separately.
You'll lose the entire value of your tickets. And be looking at purchasing day of travel prices, if they're available, or train/bus. You could see a $100 ticket become a $600 ticket pretty easy.
If you have a 4.5hr layover,option, and have to purchase separately, I would go for 4.5hr layover for peace of mind. Can you do it in 2hrs? Yeah - if all goes without a hitch, but an extra 2.5hrs to me personally is worth not stressing over a late flight into a busy,busy airport like Heathrow.
