Short Layover: Too Dangerous?

Your chances of making a connection are really really slim. Presuming you are checked through on the same airline (or it's partner) with only carry on it can be done but Heathrow is a nightmare. FYI You will clear customs at your final EU destination. That said if you aren't changing carriers (i.e. two separate non-related tickets) when you miss your connection there will (usually) be no charge to book you on the next available flight (whenever that is). If you are checking a bag call the airline and ask for a later (3 hour) connection time. Long and short of it (as an experienced traveler) I'd pay a $100 to fix this to save myself the grief. And yes, 3 hours is a good ballpark for international connections (I know it sucks if everything goes like clock-work but how often does that happen I ask).

Thanks for the advice. I don't want to miss the connection at all. I will call BA and see if an adjustment will be made, but I'm worried because I bought my ticket (cheap at the time) with the terms "NO CHANGES," so I've been assuming they won't let me change anything. Is that just standard language? I read the terms of my ticket again and looked up the flight numbers. It seems the flights are linked somehow. Both are through British Airways. When I type in the first flight number, it says "connects to BA#XX." However, it's a much smaller plane, so not all of us can be connecting. I'm disappointed I didn't notice this before I booked the ticket.

You flight from LHR to AMS also departs from Terminal 5. If you miss that one, BA has three more flights each day.

If you miss your connection due to the lateness of your incoming flight, it's not your fault and you will not be charged. (I'm guessing when you missed your flight in Chicago you were on two different airlines.) Remember BA has contracted to fly you to AMS. You just happen to be changing planes in London as part of your journey.

The change rule is there so you don't make changes prior to your initial flight.

Hi, Rachel. I'd call. The airlines maintain a list for each airport in the world that states what its minimum connection times would be. I seriously doubt that an International-International connection time at Heathrow is an hour. You can call the airline to check, and see if they will re-accommodate you. Most of them are cool about it if there is a later connection to be had.

If they're feisty about it, I'd try googling their "Contract of Carriage", and seeing what it says if anything on the situation. If you'd like help with that, let me know!

I had an hour layover arriving from the States and heading off to Milan aound christmas last year. Both flight via British Airways. Like you traveled without baggage. Security was a breeze. No problems making the connecting flight. I even grabbed a bite. Beautiful new terminal. Very helpful staff everywhere to answer questions, give directions and solve any problems if they arise.

Great! Feeling much better! Thanks all!

Rachel...first...take a deep breath.

Where are you going? Is it somewhere that BA has numerous flights per day or is it somewhere BA only flies to once a day.

Airlines usually will only book a connection on their airline if they feel they can make it. If you fly into Terminal 5 at Heathrow and fly out of Terminal 5 at Heathrow, you don't have to change terminals, go through customs or go through immigration. It should be as simple as walking from one gate to the next. (You'll get both boarding passes when you check in for your flight to London.)

If you have to change terminals, then one hour won't be enough time.

So, tell us where you're connecting to....let'sfind out how many flights BA has to that destination per day, whether or not you'll have to change terminals--and then if it makes you feel better, call BA and explain your concern.

(If worse came to worse, and you missed the connection, BA will automatically book you on the next available flight.)

One other little secret that many business fliers use...know every flight from London to your final destination that day. So, in case you miss your BA flight, and they're trying not to put you on another airline, you can suggest specific flights even if they are from other airports. The more knowledge you have, the more power you have. Sometimes, they'll just want to get rid of you....:) It's worked for me.

If the ticket has already been booked, then the airline has already taken into account the minimum connecting time for the airport. That said, unless the flight schedule changes which causes the MCT to be violated, the airline is not going to let you change the ticket.

Hence, just relax and go with the ticket. It seems like you are connecting at T5 and don't have to change terminals or go through immigration. To be on the safe side, figure out when the next BA flight to your destination is as well as which partners fly there in case you miss your booked connection.

To me it is not worth spending money to book another ticket. And don't expect the airlines to have sympathy and change your ticket just to give you more connecting time.

I say relax but go prepared with a fall back plan in case you miss your connection.

I thought I had plenty of time when I saw I had a 1 1/2 hour layover when I came back from Heathrow into Philly, connecting to Denver. By the time we got off the plane, went on 6, yes 6 moving sidewalks, retrieved checked luggage, went through security again, then passport control, then US customs, then had to find my gate. By the time I got there, they were already in line and boarding. Barely made it.

It is possible to make a connection of 1 hour in Heathrow. Not easy, but possible.

I'd contact BA to find out what happens if you miss your connection. I would probably not change the ticket (unless BA offers to do it at no charge).

I have missed connections on BA flights at Heathrow more than once and they have always put me on the next flight. Although Heathrow may be a zoo, one of its benefits is that there are many flights a day that can potentially take you to your final destination.

Surprisingly, I've had my luggage lost 5 times in Europe, but Heathrow was never involved in any of the delays. On a short connection, make sure you carry what you need to get through the first two days if you plan to check luggage.

One other tip. If you are delayed, tell the flight attendant. At the very least, they can advise you of the closest BA service desk. I have also been on delayed flights where the airline has had someone at the gate to escort passengers to the connecting flight. I don't know if they do this anymore in the tight economic times, but it does not hurt to ask.

My arrival flight comes in through Terminal 5. The connecting flight is LHR-AMS (departing at 13:10). I'll be traveling alone without checked luggage (and am able to run). I have travel insurance covering trip interruptions/delays (but I think they have to be long). My accommodations won't be affected--I'll just miss the time in the city in the late afternoon/early evening. But, if the plane is late, is it unlikely that I will be charged any fees to book another connecting flight? In that case, I guess I could take my chances. I was worried about having to pay for a new connecting flight (which happened to me when I missed a connection in Chicago a few years ago).

Then I seriously would not worry too much. BA has at least half a dozen flights a day to Amsterdam ... and there are other carriers who also fly there. And you are not changing terminals.

As long as your ticket is all on BA, I'd just risk it.

Also, check the Heathrow website and look for the flight connections instructions. It will tell you what to expect.