Heathrow Terminal 5

[acampbel]

Couldn't see a thread about this so let me be the first (?) to start.

I'm booked to go through Heathrow next year on the way to Scotland, and as usual it was a poop-fight to get 2 award flights and 2 fares coordinated. I had almost got the flights out sorted when there was a problem with the HKG - LHR leg for the kiddies. No cheap seats available on BA26 and then the later arrival into LHR on BA28 meant a wait for award seats to Edinburgh and so we would be stuck in Terminal 5 for nearly 5 hours. Yuck!

Hmm.... Terminal 5 is that building site at Heathrow and according to the itinerary it will be both the arriving and departing terminal (assuming it opens in time). After ringing Qantas back they agreed that the official MCT for a 5 to 5 connection was 1 hour, and so I was allowed to book seats to EDI with a 75-minute connection.

The questions I should ponder for the next 10 months are :-

What happens if there is any terminal change?
What will BA do if it goes awry? [The award flights of the parents are all linked but the kids may be on 2 itineraries.]
Realistically even if everything is on time, what are the chances of luggage making it through LHR with that sort of turnaround?


There may be trouble ahead ......



Cheers,

Andrew

 

[simongr]

Umm what is your issue with T5? It has been designed to be a major improvement over T1 - T4 at LHR. Most (ok a lot of) people are looking forward to it as a great opportunity - I am thinking of scheduling flights to fly out of T5 just to see it. Not sure I understand the reasoning that because it is/was a building site it will be bad. All building start as a building site - it is kind of a requirement.

 

[stryker]

Umm what is your issue with T5? It has been designed to be a major improvement over T1 - T4 at LHR. Most (ok a lot of) people are looking forward to it as a great opportunity - I am thinking of scheduling flights to fly out of T5 just to see it. Not sure I understand the reasoning that because it is/was a building site it will be bad. All building start as a building site - it is kind of a requirement.

Never heard of Wembly stadium, Simon?

A little caution might be warranted...

 

[straitman]

Personally I'd keep an eye on things and only worry if things aren't looking good as the dates loom closer. You have got to have faith and trust in someone at some time.

 

[NM]

Umm what is your issue with T5? It has been designed to be a major improvement over T1 - T4 at LHR. Most (ok a lot of) people are looking forward to it as a great opportunity - I am thinking of scheduling flights to fly out of T5 just to see it. Not sure I understand the reasoning that because it is/was a building site it will be bad. All building start as a building site - it is kind of a requirement.

I don't think the concern is around the functionality of the building, but whether it will still be a building site at the time he travels through and hence what was planned to be a legal T5->T5 connection becomes an illegal T4->T1 connection.

 

[acampbel]

Never heard of Wembly stadium, Simon?

A little caution might be warranted...

I was thinking more of Suvarnabhumi .... but you're on the right track.

OK - T5 is unlikely to slip 6 months, but it is also unikely to be staffed by Singaporean baggage handlers.

I think I will be checking BA26 nightly for O-class fares. Anyone know an easier way than ringing up Qantas?


Cheers,

Andrew

.

 

[simongr]

I think T5 is already later than planned but has just been through testing - I should track down those threads on FT. On the assumption that it will be up and running by the time you pass through it will be a a better experience than T1-T4 I think. Not convinced by zero queue check in due to extensive use of check in terminals - I like a little chap to deal with all that stuff for me.

I think the key difference to BKK are that T5 is at the same physical location as T1-T4 so no issues with longer journeys into the city and the lounges will be open when you pass through.

 

[acampbel]

... I think the key difference to BKK are that T5 is at the same physical location as T1-T4 so no issues with longer journeys into the city and the lounges will be open when you pass through.

Yes ... lounges. Part of the reason that I prefer to risk a 75-minute connection over a 5 hour one is BA's strict adherence to the 1 guest policy. Even a 2-year old is not immune to the BA dragons, so now that the kids will be 7 and 9 I have buckley's of getting them in. The trouble is that its just not worth enrolling the wife in the QC for the one time a year that the family fly together.

I just hope that Qantas continue to be lenient on the way out of Sydney, 'coz the missus insists on getting to the airport 3 hours before departure.


Cheers,


Andrew

.

 

[coldoll]

I can't see that it will be a problem. I must warn you however, that we went through Heathrow to transfer to another airline and they have the most awful system in place, which our plane's staff didn't inform us about. When we arrived at the Customs it looked like a sight from Hell!!! We soon realized why. All hand luggage, including handbags, had to be stuffed into one, yes, 1, bag. Fortunately there were four us in our group and we were able to distribute our bits and pieces into the one bag each, but we did think we'd miss our flight. I always take enough clothing for one change, just in case luggage is mislaid and would advise everyone to do this.

Coldoll

 

[Maca44]

I always take enough clothing for one change, just in case luggage is mislaid and would advise everyone to do this. Coldoll

That's nothing..we have some people who post on this forum that live out of carry on for weeks on end so one change is nothing.

 

[NM]

When we arrived at the Customs it looked like a sight from Hell!!! We soon realized why. All hand luggage, including handbags, had to be stuffed into one, yes, 1, bag.

Sounds like you were at Heathrow's Flight Connections Centre (FCC) and not at Customs. I have never seen any customs delays at London - you just walk straight through and out to the waiting masses. FCC is where the 1-bag policy was being enforced. You will be pleased to know that it has recently been relaxed and you can now take two bags through the FCC security screening point.

 

[simongr]

Never heard of Wembly stadium, Simon?

A little caution might be warranted...

But that was built by Australians

That's nothing..we have some people who post on this forum that live out of carry on for weeks on end so one change is nothing.

Hmm - I resemble that remark