Cyanna

We arrive at Heathrow T3 at 7 am (godwilling) and depart T5 at 3 pm on unlinked tickets (FF award on AA, cash on BA) so we will have to navigate customs and then re-enter through security. We had hoped to nap at the Hilton in T4 in between. Would you guess we have time for that nap? What would you consider a safe estimate of transfer time - gate to gate?

alanRow

Going from T3 to T4 then to T5 isn't a pleasant experience and would mean you end up with about 3 hours of sleep.

Personally I'd see if you can get your luggage checked through (even if it means pleading at the check-in desk - yes it can be done even on non-connecting tickets) and just stay airside (also avoids UK immigration). Then use the Flight Connections Centre to go direct to T5 and have a nap there.

yk

Since AA & BA are OneWorld partners, upon check-in, AA should be able to tag your luggage all the way to your destination on BA.

T4 is miles away from T3 and T5; PITA to get there for a nap, IMO.

Do you have Platium status (or above) on AA or BA; or are you flying premium class on BA? If either answer is a YES, then you can use one of the many BA lounges in T5. There are showers in the lounge.

Cyanna

DH is "only" Gold on AA, belongs to Adm. Club (but they don't have beds); I am flying Bus/First/Prem. on BA but DH is not (don't ask... complicated).

Where can you nap in T5?

alanRow, we'd do that, but have carry-on only on AA flight, may check one bag each on BA flight.

Cyanna

(I forgot to say thank you: thank you.)

I guess one question is whether there's a serious benefit to NOT checking in any bags, both arriving on AA and departing on BA, or if it won't make much difference. We will be traveling Bus. Class on AA from US - can fast-track it, I believe.

yk

If you're doing carryon only, then you definitely have no need to exit to landside. Just stay airside and do the T3 -> T5 transfer.

Check BA's lounge admit policy. The fact that you're flying premium class on BA *should* get you (and possibly a guest) into the BA lounges in T5. You can always nap on the sofas at the lounge (at least I can).

You can also look into day rate at the Sofitel, which is attached to T5, if you want a real bed for your nap.

Cyanna

YK - THANK you for the heads-up re: Sofitel - only knew about the Hilton and the Yotel. Can you give me an estimate of how much time I would save by staying at the Sofitel rather than the Hilton (i.e., eliminating the middle step in the T3->T4 -> T5 go-round)? The day rate is about $25+ more expensive there than at the Hilton, but it might be worth it.

Cyanna

Correction, the difference is more like $66.!

yk

If you're serious about staying at the Sofitel, you need to clear immigration & customs because the Sofitel is landside. So, I think what you'd have to do is go thru immigration/customs at T3; then do a landside transfer from T3 to T5 (free train connection); and get to Sofitel. I can't tell you how much time you'll save doing this instead of going to T4, but you definitely will save *some* time.

If you want to stay airside for the entire duration (ie, no need to clear immigration/customs), your only option is to hang out at the BA lounges in T5.

Cyanna

I think I get what you're saying, but just so I'm clear: even though we're ticketed separately for the two trips, we do have the option to stay within security - by taking some shuttle from T3 to T5 -- if we don't want to stay at a hotel (and all hotels are outside security), correct?

yk

Yes. FWIW, I haven't done this myself, but once you arrive at T5 and gone thru security, you should arrive in an area where there is a BA transfer desk and you can check-in and get your BP there.

BTW, can you do online check-in for BA? If you can, perhaps you can check-in for your flight at home prior to your AA flight. Then you will have your BA BP in hand.

janisj

You've received all sorts of good advice -- but to give you more of idea about the logistics . . . The Hilton at T-4 is farther from T-3 than the off-airport hotels (Marriott, Sheratons, Premier Travel Inn, etc.)

Now - I wouldn't recommend you traveling off airport for your nap either. But I can't think of a situation where T-3 > T-4 > T-5 makes a whole lot of sense.

Cyanna

Thanks again, yk. And janisj, you've put things in much clearer perspective - appreciate it very much. Thanks for the info.

suze

There are nice enough public shower facilities at Heathrow. I'm not savvy enough to say how this would fit into your particular trip. But they worked really well for me after a long flight (in lieu of a nap).

maile

I'm having the same problem with an early United flight arrival and a seven hour later BA flight. Since I'm flying economy, there's not much to offer in the way of BA lounge facilities. Does anyone know about the day rates at the Sofitel at T5 and how can I reserve a room there as their web site doesn't seem to indicate a day rate?

soccr

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