Heathrow Transfer

[OhSusannah!]

Hi everyone, I have 2 separate bookings QF1 arriving LHR 6.15, then BA to Rome departing 9.20 from Terminal 5. Both Business. I was hoping to check luggage through but it seems that could be a problem with separate bookings. I hope I have allowed enough time to transfer etc plus grab a coffee and a shower in the lounge! Any thoughts? Thank you.

 

[Leapin-leprechaun]

Susan
You should be ok
It’s tight as delays on way in can cause a tough if anxiety but that’s plenty of time
Follow the transfer protocol at Heathrow and you will be fine. How much lounge time you get, we’ll thats dependent as sometimes early in Heathrow the customs processing unit the greatest
But I’d be happy with those times

 

[defurax]

You should be fine. After collecting your bag take the Heathrow Express from Terminal 3 to 5. You can get a free transfer ticket at the station.
If you don't have Emerald status I recommend you check in for your BA flight online, this way you can go directly to bag drop at T5. If you are OWE then proceed to First class check in and security.
If QF1 is on time you might want to take a shower and have a quick breakfast in the AA arrival lounge at T3. They have 30 shower suites, I never had to wait.

 

[vetrade]

You won't be able to check your bags through - you will need to collect them from the Arrivals Hall and go through immigration control before re-checking them and going through security screening for your flight to FCO.
On arrival follow the purple signs for flight connections and then the yellow signs once you get to T5
As you are travelling J, ask one of the airport ambassadors dressed in purple to help you with Fast Track.
Even though you would think that a 3 hr transit time would give you a reasonable time in the lounge, that never seems to be the case for us. You will be lucky to have enough spare time to relax in the lounge much less have a shower to freshen up.

Suggest you have a look at the LHR website - there's also some good YouTube videos about using the trains between terminals

 

[VPS]

Is there any way you can link the PNR - I am super cautious and although you should have time what if the arriving plane is very late

 

[vetrade]

Is there any way you can link the PNR - I am super cautious and although you should have time what if the arriving plane is very late

I don't think that's a possible solution. We flew JNB - LHR - LIN on different PNRs last October - arriving LHR at about 7am with a 3hr transit time and even though both flights were in J with BA we still had to collect our bags at LHR and re-check them. Even using Fast Track connection we ran short of time and didn't even get to the lounge. We enquired about checking our bags through and the reply was a definite "No".

 

[Himeno]

Is one ticket a reward flight?
If one of a reward, QF should check through, if not, they won't (though JL and CX would).

You'll likely need to go through immigration, collect bags, pass through customs, use the train to get to T5, then recheck with BA.
The main issue would be that you the BA baggage check in/bag drop off cut off and the LHR conformance requiring you to have entered security at least 45 minutes before the scheduled flight departure.

 

[OhSusannah!]

Thank you everyone, yes I’m OWE, but I might just travel light and take cabin only to save some time!!

 

[defurax]

With no checked bag it can be quicker to take the transfer bus, go through automated passport control at T5 and make your way to the BA First class check in upstairs. It is always quieter than the transit security point and you get straight to the First lounge.

 

[mrsterryn]

Hope you don't mind OP but now have a similar issues
Husband arrives in LHR at 15.10 and his non linked flight to Denmark is 18.30
Arrival terminal is 3 Cathay
Departure terminal is 5 BA
Contemplating not having checked luggage but if has items to bring home it means a heavy duffle bag (slight issue for husband with mobility )
Is he likely to make the connection if he has checked baggage.
He is platinum

 

[vetrade]

3hrs 20 min will be plenty even with checked luggage

 

[mrsterryn]

3hrs 20 min will be plenty even with checked luggage

Brilliant thank you

 

[Himeno]

Hope you don't mind OP but now have a similar issues
Husband arrives in LHR at 15.10 and his non linked flight to Denmark is 18.30
Arrival terminal is 3 Cathay
Departure terminal is 5 BA
Contemplating not having checked luggage but if has items to bring home it means a heavy duffle bag (slight issue for husband with mobility )
Is he likely to make the connection if he has checked baggage.
He is platinum

The inbound flight is on Cathay. CX will still check across tickets to other oneworld carriers.
BA, QF and AA won't (though limited exceptions for QF and AA).

 

[mrsterryn]

The inbound flight is on Cathay. CX will still check across tickets to other oneworld carriers.
BA, QF and AA won't (though limited exceptions for QF and AA).

Does he mention it to Cathay ?

 

[equus]

Of course - present them with both tickets so that they can through check the baggage (and issue boarding passes).