I'm flying from Chicago to Rome via Heathrow on British Airways. It looks like from their website I arrive in Terminal 4 and depart for Rome in Terminal 1. On the way there I have a three hour layover so I'm not too concerned. On the way back to Chicago via Heathrow I have a 1 hour 45 min. layover. I'm assuming luggage will be checked all the way through both there and back (correct?). Also when I'm at Heathrow do I need to go through customs or just to my connecting gate. Is it a pain to get from 4 to 1? Thanks for the info.

If you booked your flight with BA as a single ticket (rather than separate tickets US to London and London to Rome and vice versa) your luggage will be checked all the way through in both directions.<BR><BR>For information re Heathrow, see:<BR>http://www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/heathrow/<BR><BR>If you click on &quot;Terminal Information&quot; and then &quot;Flight Connections&quot;, you will then find specific information re each connection. If I remember correctly, I did need to go through customs at Heathrow on my last return trip, but had nothing of any signifcance to declare and the entire process took no more than 5 minutes.

Since the UK isn't a Schengen country I think you will go through immigration in Rome. You will go through security again at Heathrow though. If your first flight is on time there will be no problem.

Absolutely painless...<BR><BR>Just follow the arrows &amp; the rest of the passengers, there is a very clearly marked way to exit Terminal 4, they put you on a free shuttle bus, and send you over to Terminal 1. I've done this a number of times in both directions with a 90 mins. connection.<BR><BR>There is a map of Heathrow in the BA magazine if it would reassure you to see the layout.<BR><BR>My bags have always been checked thru on BA, but check with them in Chicago to be sure.

Thank you all for your feedback. I love Suze's &quot;absolutely painless&quot;!