just27

I'm looking for a rough idea of the immigration and terminal "routine" at LHR. We arrive from the US (10:45 AM) on an American Airlines flight; then depart (4:45 PM) on a British Airways flight for Barcelona. This seems like enough time to comfortably meet a friend for a pub lunch (Shepperton, maybe, on the river), but I'm not sure how immigration and terminal changes work. Will we go through customs at LHR, or at BCN? How do I find out which terminal we arrive/depart from?

flanneruk

ASSUMING this is on one ticket:

1. Your bags will go to Barcelona without your having to do anything about them in London
2. You'll have your Barcelona pass from the time you checked in in the US
3. You have a choice. After getting off the plane you can get the inter-terminal bus, without going through Immigration, to T5. Or you can go through Immigration, then meet your chum.
4. You go through Immigration for Spain in Barcelona. In practice, you won't be troubled with Customs, but if you are, it'll happen in Barcelona.
5. With a checked bag and a boarding pass, you'll just need to be back at T5 45 mins before departure
6. Allow an hour for arriving at T3. Though lots of nice pubs are within 30 mins of LHR, most are bastards to get to by public transport. Try to get your chum to meet and drop you

KayF

To find out which terminals you arrive and depart from, check the flight details on each airline website, or you can also check on the Heathrow Airport website.

Kay

Cathinjoetown

I think "back at T5 45 minutes before departure" might be cutting it a bit fine as there is no way to predict how long the Security lines will be to get back to air side. Once air side, some of the departure gates are quite far.

just27

Just the information I was looking for, many thanks. I had no problem finding that the BA flight leaves from T3, but I can't stumble onto where the AA flight lands. I'll call AA, that way the "meet and drop off" will be better organized. (Yes, I definitely wouldn't want to try a meeting using public transportation!) Terminal 5 wasn't built, the last time I was there, and LHR was already pretty darned big! (Also, while I was on the BA website, I was afforded the chance to spend more money and purchase my seat assignments!)

flanneruk, do you have any specific recommendations for "nice pubs within 30 minutes of LHR" ... ? I was hoping for a river bank, but I'd be happy with cozy!

hsv

Within 30 minutes of LHR, directly on the river Thames, cosy inside, terrace overlooking the river outside, decent beers and excellent cider on tap as well as decent food:
The St. George and Dragon in Wargrave.
You should take up your friends on a pick-up and drop-off by car, though.
http://www.stgeorgeanddragon.co.uk/

flanneruk

Sorry: Brain switched off.

BA flights to and from Spain and Australia use terminal 3. So do ALL flights on AA planes.

So your choice is between going through security after you land to the T3 general lounge or going through immigration, meeting your chum, and coming back again.

Unless you've got access to an airline lounge, I'd go through immigration just to stand in the car park myself. T3's general waiting area is just about tolerable if you enjoy lots of third-rate chain shops: six hours there would drive me nuts, and I pay serious money for an annual sub to an organisation with a lounge there precisely to avoid that possibility. Comfortable, quiet, seating is usually almost impossible to find between 0800 and 1900.

alanRow

<<< I think "back at T5 45 minutes before departure" might be cutting it a bit fine as there is no way to predict how long the Security lines will be to get back to air side. >>>

Indeed as at T5 you have to be through security 35 minutes before your flight otherwise you don't fly.

flanneruk

"at T5 you have to be through security 35 minutes before your flight otherwise you don't fly."

Ehhh?

Aside from the fact that the poster's not using T5, last time I used the place, you had to be AT the security line 35 mins prior. The time-sensitve BP scan is <b>landside</b> of security.

When did this change?

Odin

Approx 12 miles from LHR is Hampton Court, pubs on the river include the Albany and the Swan in Thames Ditton village.

Same approx distance the Prince of Wales in Esher (Weston Green) but this is not on the river but is a very cosy pub and a pretty area plus good menu.

The Boathouse in Kingston upon Thames is also on the river plus others in nearby Richmond or Surbiton (Harts Boatyard) in the other direction.

Allow time for traffic though, distance is not great but the traffic can be heavy.

alanRow

Flanner AFAIK that was the rule when T5 was first opened.

As to the source - "Check in and CLEAR security at least 35 minutes before your flight"

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...s/public/en_gb

You also have to be at the gate 20 minutes before your flight

BigRuss

AA is T3 only. Seems like you can spin your wheels for a few hours in T3 (and you can certainly find enough shopping to do so if you choose).