Heathrow Transition Times
 

OK - lots of talk on this site about transition through Heathrow.

We've booked an American flight from Boston to Heathrow (~7:30am on a 777 – terminal 3), . . . and through AA (same ticket), a BA (AA code share) flight from Heathrow to Edinburgh (terminal 1). We have 95 minutes between flights. I didn't even consider transition time - this combination was offered by AA and I took it.

Looking through the Heathrow site, the transition process was not quite clear. It sounds like we catch a bus to the Flight Connection Center (FCC) , then go through immigration and customs (but without luggage). I think we then walk to terminal 1 - and stay within the secured side of the airport at all times. In Edinburgh, it sounds like we will go through customs again w/luggage (although I'm confused how they do this given the BA flight is ‘domestic’). The Heathrow website says to allow ~ 60 minutes to transition.

So, . . . is 95 minutes really enough time for this time of day? How will this process really work? Anything else we should know about ahead of time? I'm sure given we purchased one ticket, any issues would be covered. But - we just want to know in what to expect.

Thanks in advance!

Assuming this is on one ticket, you've understood the website correctly.

On arrival you get a bus from T3 to the FCC, which is practically in T1. There you go through Immigration (but NOT Customs). You also go through security again, and get on the plane.

You collect your bags at Edinburgh. Their tag shows they've not been cleared through Customs. In theory, you can be asked questions by Customs there: in practice it virtually never happens.

Under normal circs, this is easily doable in 60 mins. Sometimes this doesn't go smoothly. So BA put you on the following flight to Edinburgh.

Cool - thanks for the confirmation. And yes, . . . this is all one ticket issued by AA.

I'm doing the same thing in May -- AA to Terminal 3 then BA to MUC out of Terminal 1. They've given me 90 minutes.

I was told a train to transfer terminals. Someone here mentions a bus. Either way, I would be interested in hearing how your transfer actually went. Thanks. ((b))

You should be okay, but problems could arise if your flight is late, or there are a lot of flights landing at the same time.