Heathrow: How long a layover needed?
 

I know this has been discussed many times, but with the search function still down, I can't find the old posts. And I'd like to book a ticket ASAP, so I'm hoping someone with some experience can guide me.<BR><BR>Is 1 hour and 55 minutes a long enough gap between arriving at Heathrow from the United States on BA and switching to a BA flight to Edinburgh? I know I'll have to go through customs, and I recall that some travelers have had to switch terminals in a complex fashion.<BR><BR>I would appreciate advice from anyone who has flown BA from the U.S. to Heathrow in the past year (since Sept. 11, 2001). How long did it take you to get from incoming to outgoing gates, or just to clear customs?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Since both are BA flights, your best bet is to just ask BA. They have a good idea of which terminals are involved and how much time you realistically need. I recently wanted to do something similar (different destinations, bt same issue) and the BA rep told me not to risk it.

Hi,<BR><BR>The minimum connecting time from Terminal 4( where your BA flight from the US lands) to Terminal 1 ( where the Edinburgh flight leaves from is 75mins)<BR><BR>At check in in the US ask for your bags to be checked through to Edinburgh.They should do this. You will have to clear Immmigration at Heathrow and Security at the flight connections centre but not customs.<BR>Once you arrive at Edinburgh there is a separate baggage claim belt ( no 6) for those like yourself that have started thier journeys from outside the EU. ( I have never seen a customs offical at Edinburgh so once you get your bags at EDI your all set.<BR> 1 hour 55 is plenty ( I have done the connection in less thn 30 mins)<BR>The olny problem is if your US-LHR flight is severely delayed but BA will book you on the next available flight.<BR><BR>Have a good flight

They wouldn't post it as a possible itierary if they thought there was a problem. Two hours should be fine. I flew from Boston to Heathrow a month ago, with 1.5 hrs to connect to a flight heading to Zurich. Heathrow was a joy (although large) at 5:30am! It was really quiet and I had absolutely no problem getting from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 (although it involved a bit of a walk, but there are no crowds to slow you down). I also didn't check any luggage. I don't even remember going through customs! I was also worried about the connection, but mostly I was worried about my flight from the States being late. I realized that they fly these routes every night and they are usually on time (we arrived early). Plus I am sure there are many flights leaving for Edinburgh that they could put you on without too much delay (to other parts of Europe you might have to wait until the next day).

I flew thru Heathrow 4 times on my last trip this summer. Each with 1-1/2 to 2 hours layover & all BA flights. It was just fine.<BR><BR>My luggage was checked thru and marked "express transfer" or some such by the BA agents at my point of origin.<BR><BR>Some times I switched from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 and sometimes continued on out from 4. It really isn't complex, just know which terminal you need to be in & follow the signs (taking the airport shuttle around if needed). Lots of walking but a "no-brainer".<BR><BR>Most frustrating was that they did not post actual GATE NO. until about 1/2 hour before flight time and Terminal 4 is BIG (long). So after waiting around for a time, you then had to BOOK it to the gate once it was posted (if you'd wandered too far off).