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-   -   Gatwick Connection time? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/gatwick-connection-time-662689/)

JEFF_ Dec 5th, 2006 05:10 PM

Gatwick Connection time?
 
Is 80 minutes enough time to transfer from an AA flight arriving from the US to a domestic British Air flight? Both use the Gatwick North Terminal.

W9London Dec 6th, 2006 05:23 AM

If you're connecting to a domestic BA flight, you'll need to go through passport control. If both flights are on the same ticket, you should be able to through-check luggage to the final destination, though.
Assuming your flight lands on time, you should have just enough time to go through, but 80 min seems to be on a tighter side. I definitely won't dilly dally. Passport control queue depends on how many non-EU flights land around the same time as your flight. Lots of transatlantic and long-haul lands early morning (6am-8am) so this time tends to get quite crowded.
If your connection time is really tight--eg flight delayed--just ask BA land agent as soon as you land. Sometimes they can puts you ahead of the queue though I don't want to count on this.

ira Dec 6th, 2006 07:37 AM

Hi J,

I am very leery about any connection less than 90 min, anywhere.

((I))

JEFF_ Dec 6th, 2006 08:47 AM

Thanks W9London and Ira. My AA flight would arrive at 8:05, so guess I should try to find a longer connection. Just thought connecting through LGW would be less of a hassle than LHR. I could also fly to MAN, but that connection is only 65 minutes.

I'm afraid I'd fret about a tight connection for the next 5 months, so it may be worth the prospect of hanging around the airport for an extra hour or so.

tcreath Dec 6th, 2006 09:17 AM

I would probably look for a longer connection as well. We flew BA from Gatwick to Dubrovnik last month and it was a mess. Granted we had to check our bags and check in (we flew in to Heathrow the day before) but the security lines were long and there were people everywhere. It was a confusing mess! I would allow a minimum of 90 minutes, and at least two hours would be best.

Tracy

JEFF_ Dec 6th, 2006 09:26 AM

Would I have to go through security at Gatwick after passport control? Or, would I remain in a secured area?

flanneruk Dec 6th, 2006 09:32 AM

You have to go through security in Britain WHENEVER you get on a plane.

International-to-domestic connections normally have a bit of landside (ie outside the secure area) about them. But even totally airside international-to-internatiuonal connections make you go through security again.

We don't trust anyone. And rightly.

JEFF_ Dec 7th, 2006 09:44 PM

I'm now booked, but not ticketed, on a BA flight that arrives from Edinburgh at 12:45 PM and connects to an AA flight to DFW at 2:15 PM. Does this 90 minute mid-day connection now seem reasonable?

LeighTravelClub Dec 7th, 2006 10:12 PM

I don't want to be negative about this,but I feel you need much more time. I have flown from London Gatwick several times in the last few months. My experience has been loads of delays. Sorry.


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