I just got a message from United that they've changed our departure time by a half hour, putting us into London Heathrow at 1315 (instead of 1245). I had purchased separate tickets on BMI connecting us from LHR up to Edinburgh that depart at 1440. When I bought both tickets, we had almost two hours on the ground, and that seemed plenty of time. With this new change, I'm worried we might not make the connection, what with going through customs, etc... Anyone recently make a similar connection through LHR with thoughts/suggestions....? Also, I'm traveling with an 8-year old - tends to slow things down a bit. Thanks in advance.

Avoid checking luggage.
How much would it cost to change the BMI flight?

Since the tickets are not linked you are stuck -- the cheapest alternative is to try and change the BMI flight.

I recently learned from our fellow Fodorite Beach Boi that you should be able to check your bags all the way through to Edinburgh when you check in for your original flight with United. When Beach Boi posted this I did not believe this was possible if the two airlines are not codeshare partners, so I called Continental and asked if they would also check my bags onto my continuing BA flight. I'll be darned if Beach Boi wasn't right!! Please call United and double check this, but I bet they'll tell you to just to show your BMI ticket to the agent when you check in w/United and they will check it through to Edinburgh for you. This way you do not have to collect your bags, go thru customs, then re-check w/BMI.

The checking through is really a wild shot. For example, I am doing a BA to SW connection coming back from Europe. There is NO way to check through the luggage. Southwest does NOT interline luggage.

If I am not misstake CO and BA are partners on one of the many alliances. That can make a differenc.

However, technically they do NOT have to check you bags through if you are on two tickets and may refuse to. Since you can't skycap for international the "tipping" method for beating the rules is limited.

United will check your luggage through on BMI. They have a partnership, and you can use United miles for BMI rewards.

However, you will have to check-in at Heathrow. United no longer issues boarding passes for your connecting flight. Lines typically are short at that time of day.

Unless your flight is delayed or you meet massive lines in security or for the bus, you should be able to make your flight. Two hours is more comfortable at LHR, but your timeframe is doable.

BMI has huge charges to change flights. They used to be much more flexible, but no longer.

CarolA: I realize that the airlines don't have to do this, but I have learned that they often will. I am also aware that SW does not. Continental and BA are not partners, as BA is in the One World Alliance and Continental is not. But according to Continental they will do this for non-partners as long as I can show a ticket to prove that I am booked on the BA flight. It is true that you have to check in at Heathrow, but that can be done at the gate, so you should not have to go through customs. As I stated before, call United and verify this information.

Especially if you get the bags checked through, you'll be fine. Really you will

Baring delays, you should be OK. UA and BMI are partners so, although you have separate tickets, UA MAY tag your luggage through to final destination.

I recently made it through LHR (arrrive T3 on AC, depart BMI T1 to Dublin) in less than 45 mins from landing to boarding. I was really pleased when my bags made it also.

Be careful to follow the transit signs. The only two places that you might hit problems are the transit security and immigration areas. You go through security as you cross from T3 and, on the other side of the security, you can check in for your BMI flight. If you encounter a big line-up, appeal to the security staff - they have always been helpful to me when I have been running later. Once you are checked in, you are pretty well OK, as they will delay the flight slightly if you are late, rather than unload your bags.

Good luck.

regards ...ger

Thanks to everyone for the help. And just for clarificatoin, since UA and BMI are codeshare partners, I may be able to get the agent in SFO to check my bags all the way through to Edinburgh (even though I purchased my tix separately)? If that happens, we will not have to collect our bags in LHR, but rather go as quickly as possible to our gate?

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Plan "B". Flights are often late! And departing flights are often late. Spend some time organizing information about alternatives.

If possible I would change the 2nd ticket. Recently on a trip from NY to Heathrow, I spent 2 hours going thru security screening (the lines were horrible) and then we had to recheck our luggage and selves back in. This does not count the time it took to walk from one area to the other etc....otherwise give it a shot, as someone mentioned, flights are late alot maybe your 2nd flight will be delayed.

Yes, United should check your bags through in San Francisco. The only thing you will need to do at Heathrow is get a boarding ticket for the flight Scotland. If you are delayed and hit long security lines, go up through the middle aisle at security where they take people with wheelchairs, etc., and explain that you will miss your flight if you have to wait in line.