Making a Flight Connection at Heathrow
 

I am traveling from the US to Germany in December. I am making a connection in Heathrow to fly on to Dusseldorf. Flying United Airlines from DC to London then transferring to German/Eurowings to Dusseldorf. Have 2 hours between flights. 1) Is that enough time? 2) Do I have to get my bags and go through customs in London or will airline check them through from DC to Dusseldorf, then go through customs in Dusseldorf? I am an American citizen. Trying to decide if doing carry on would be better, time wise. I do have Global Entry which I assume will help at customs, but some in our party do not.

One ticket or two - ie one ticket for DC-Dusseldorf or one ticket for DC-London and a separate one for London-Dusseldorf.

If the former then luggage is checked through, you follow the signs to flight connections and let them deal with you.

If the latter then you would have to go through immigration, collect luggage, go through customs, check in again, go through security. Two hours is about two hours too little for that option

Just a quick comment . .

>>I do have Global Entry which I assume will help at customs, <<

Has absolutely no bearing on anything. Global Entry is a US program.

I am guessing this is all one ticket - right? UA and Eurowings are partners so they will check your bag through. And both use T-2 so assuming you land on time you will be OK. You just follow the signs for connections. You will go though security but no immigration or customs.

If you are late (and again assuming all one ticket) they will put you on the next available flight.

Yes, Global Entry only helps you coming back into the US.

Do you know which terminal at Heathrow you fly into and which terminal the flight to Dusseldorf leaves from? If it's the same terminal (and any checked bags are checked through), then you stay airside. Different terminals mean going through security. Having retrieved your bags if they're not checked through.

Both flights were purchased through United but they are telling me that we have to get our luggage in London, go through customs then re-check it. But they are telling me it is enough time. I have heard from other people that it will not be.

Who is 'They'? If you have <u>one booking</u> you will get both of your boarding passes in DC and your bags should be tagged through no problem.

If they are not, you do not have enough time unless everything runs perfectly including you sitting at the very front of the cabin to get off quicker.

But again -- who is this 'they' that told you the bags would not be checked through?

The United agent.

Unless you have an appointment on arrival in Dusseldorf, I wouldn't worry. Should the worst happen and you're delayed, you'll be accommodated, as mentioned, on a later flight. I'd stick with the current plan.

>>The United agent.<<

Ask a different one. Not kidding -- often they just say things to get you off the phone.

janisj, you are absolutely right. I called back and talked to another agent. At first, she said the bags would not be checked through because German Wings is not part of Star Alliance. Then she said they would be because both flights are on the same confirmation. Now I don't know who or what to believe. Normally, I would take my chances except that we are flying on 12/17 so flights will most likely be full due to the holidays and we have 5 in our party.

How did you book them? Through the United website? Through a travel agent?

Through United.

It seems to be bothering you and with the new information, that there are 5 of you, investigate changing to a later flight. It may cost you, or it may not, depending on circumstances, but it doesn't cost anything to ask. Once you have all the facts, from the entity with whom you booked, not us, you can make an informed decision.

That's the problem, the entity with which I booked has given me two different answers. I appreciate everyone's input. I'll figure it out.

I refer also to the cost of changing, not just the time & baggage issue. Ask to speak to a supervisor. It may get you better information. Or if you're near your departure airport, ask there, particularly about the baggage-checked-through issue.