Heathrow transfer from T4 to T3
 

Planned BA flight is arriving at Terminal 4 at noon time. AA flight departing Chicago at 2:30 from T3.

Is there a problem here? How, and how long does one get from T4 to T3?

Thanks.

Assuming your incoming flight is international (and further assuming BA will check your bags through to the USA) it's not complicated - follow the signs to "flight connections" and you will get to the bus to the Flight Connections Centre (FCC) where you will go through security and be on your way to the plane. The security process at the FCC is the big (and can be very big) source of delay in this.

If BA won't check your bags through, the transfer becomes more complicated and time consuming. 2 1/2 hrs ought to be enough time, but it won't be an enjoyable 2 1/2 hours. Remember the one carryon rule in the UK.

Thanks, Gardyloo.

If you want more information then search for "flight connections centre" on the Heathrow Airport website.

NOTE that the advice only applies of your luggage is checked through. If it isn't then you will have to collect it which may mean passing through UK immigration in order to recheck it. If this is the case then 2h30m isn't enough

By the way, the "one carry-on" rule in the UK really means one per person. Not one + purse, or one + briefcase, or one + shopping ba. They are very strict and will stop you in the Flight Connections section and make you check a bag (which will make you miss your flight) if you've got more than one.

<<< and make you check a bag (which will make you miss your flight) if you've got more than one. >>>

But there aren't any checkin facilities at the FCC therefore you'd have to go back the way you've just come, go through UK immigration, find the checkin desk, queue, then pass through security again.

The alternatives are

a) stuff the smaller bag(s) in the bigger bag
b) get a large plastic bag, put all your bags in that and say that's it's your one bag
c) put one bag in the rubbish bin at the entrance to security - where you'll never see it again

Note that the one bag then must conform to the size standard - see the Heathrow Airport website, that if the bag exceeds any one of those dimensions it must be checked (or dumped) and that the sizes INCLUDE the bits that stick out like wheels and handles

This means that a 22 inch rollaboard is unlikely to meet the rules

Thanks for all the info about the carry-on!

As to "flight connections centre" on the Heathrow Airport website, it really doesn't tell you much...

Based on past experience, though with different airlines, I believe BA will check our bags thru to the USA, even though from London we take AA.

So, does that mean we'll have to go thru a check-in desk, UK Immigration and security again???

<i>Based on past experience, <b>though with different airlines,</b> I believe BA will check our bags thru to the USA, even though from London we take AA.</i>

Aye, there's the rub... BA has become increasingly unwilling to do so unless both legs are on one ticket. If your BA and AA tickets were purchased separately, plan for the worst, but try to cajole and fling yourself on the mercy of the BA people when you check in on your flight to London.

If they won't check them through, then you'll have to go landside through passport and customs, take the HEX train (free) from T4 to the T1/2/3 station, walk a country mile through a tunnel, and then go up to the T3 checkin level, aka chaos. Not a fun time, and while 2.5 hours ought to be enough, it will be a nervous experience.

Combined with the one bag baloney and newly imposed passenger tax extortion, is it any surprise that so many people are trying to avoid Heathrow?

&lt;&lt;&lt; As to &quot;flight connections centre&quot; on the Heathrow Airport website, it really doesn't tell you much... &gt;&gt;&gt;

I suggested you do a SEARCH for FCC - if you look at the 2nd result it says &quot;terminal 1 connections&quot;, the 2nd result says &quot;terminal 2 connections&quot;, the 3rd result says &quot;terminal 4 connections&quot; &amp; the 4th result &quot;terminal 3 connections&quot;.

Cliking on the &quot;terminal 4 connections&quot; link gives

&lt;&lt;&lt; Terminal 4 to Terminal 3
Connecting from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3
Your connection will take approximately 70 minutes, from landing to departure gate. You will be taken by coach direct to Terminal 3. There, you will pass through customs and security and be directed to our airline desks before you head by foot to your departure gate. &gt;&gt;&gt;

Thanks for all the info. Yes, the whole trip is written as one ticket, so we don't anticipate any problem with the luggage....

<b>What's not to love about LHR?</b>

Now, don't be alarmed, and don't watch them if you're easily spooked, but these two YouTube videos explain in ways that words cannot match, how awful it <i>can</i> be at Heathrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4xba_YFHj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwB4G7XxyRI

The second one is at the FCC I believe.

Now, I'm sure it's seldom this bad, but... sheesh.