MCT LHR T5 to T3

[BVT]

Hello All,

I need to travel from Edinburgh to LHR on a Friday in December, connecting to a flight to BCN, all on BA.

Is an 0835 scheduled arrival at T5 from Edinburgh for a 1010 T3 departure for BCN, enough time? I will have HLO. The flights are on separate tickets and not linked.

My previous experiences at LHR Oct/Nov 2014 have been very good.

I would be most grateful for the advice and views of those of you who travel through LHR more frequently, especially at that time of year.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[docjames]

There is no way known I would book that on non-linked tickets (same pnr).

Sure, you may make it, but what's your backup plan?

Full fare to BCN (provided there are seats)?

 

[slc767338]

Perhaps give BA a call and ask them to link the PNRs.

FWIW if it were with checked baggage on BA I would allow at least 30 years for connection time. Even then your bags still might not arrive

 

[anat0l]

The 'official' MCT according to ExpertFlyer is 1h 30m. Your timing just fits this mark, but since you have non-connected itineraries, that's a considerable risk if things get delayed.

December - well, that depends on when during that month as to how mad cap it will be, but in general I would expect it will be sort of busy all month and mayhem during Christmas.

The real dilemma is that on an average day, I would likely take the chance you are because connecting that is quite possible (though you would need to make sure you are checked in at EDI for both flights; if you need to check in for the onward at LHR, you are really pushing it!). But because no one likes to take a chance at London, on a non-connected itinerary you either need a backup plan, more time, or a prayer (or all of the above).

In theory, if your ex-EDI flight is heavily delayed and you completely miss the onward to BCN, depending on the length of the delay, you might get EU 261 compensation which will help offset a new ticket to BCN. If you are somewhat lucky and slip it past BA, they may even rebook and cover you for the non-connected flight to BCN. But this is no guarantee.

The transfer process itself, assuming you shoot off the aircraft posthaste and to the transfer bus, will take about 15 minutes. You then have to be rescreened before you get to the new gate area, and this can take another 15 - 30 minutes. The gate will usually close at around 5 - 10 minutes before departure. Add that all up and now you have some idea as to what kind of delay leeway you have available to you.

Perhaps give BA a call and ask them to link the PNRs.

This might be worth a shot, though sometimes only a "logical" notation/link is made, which doesn't really offer true protection (though it might engender more sympathy from the agents if you get caught out).

FWIW if it were with checked baggage on BA I would allow at least 30 years for connection time. Even then your bags still might not arrive

That's a little harsh

 

[defurax]

FWIW if it were with checked baggage on BA I would allow at least 30 years for connection time. Even then your bags still might not arrive

I almost died laughing, this is so true!

 

[serfty]

I would allow no less than 2½ hours ...

... walk from plane to flight connection centre: 10 - 10 minutes
... Flight connection centre and wait for bus: 10 - 20 minutes
... bus to T5: 20 minutes
... walk to 'conformance': 5-10 minutes
... 'conformance' (where they recheck credentials): 5-20 minutes (depending on queues)
... security at T5: 5 - 25 minutes (depending on queues)
... Walk/train to gate (T5A to T5B or T5C): 5 - 15 minutes
... flight commences boarding 30 minutes before scheduled departure

So, that adds up to between 90 and 150 minutes ... how lucky do you feel?

 

[anat0l]

without checked luggage I would allow no less than 2½ hours ...

... walk from plane to flight connection centre: 10 - 15 minutes
... Flight connection centre and wait for bus: 10 - 20 minutes
... bus to T5: 20 minutes
... walk to 'conformance': 5-10 minutes
... 'conformance' (where they recheck credentials): 5-30 minutes (depending on queues)
... security at T5: 5-15 minutes
... Walk/train to gate (T5A to T5B or T5C): 0 - 20 minutes
... flight commences boarding 30 minutes before scheduled departure

OP is actually going the other way around, viz. T5 to T3, but your timing is pretty adaptable anyway.

 

[dajop]

With that sort of timing wouldn't it be just about quicker to avoid flight connection centre and take the tube or rail! Not quite I guess.

 

[anat0l]

With that sort of timing wouldn't it be just about quicker to avoid flight connection centre and take the tube or rail! Not quite I guess.

Let's see - enter the UK border, run to the tube or HEX station, then have to pass through the security to get back into the gate anyway.

At the border, justify to the officer why you are entering the country to change terminals when Flight Connections gives you the same thing, wasting time.

My bets are on "no".

 

[serfty]

OP is actually going the other way around, viz. T5 to T3, but your timing is pretty adaptable anyway.

Time for me to go to bed...

Good to know, although I have not experienced the other way in the morning ...

 

[dajop]

Let's see - enter the UK border.

Isn't EDI-LHR domestic? How do these flights work at T5?

 

[anat0l]

Isn't EDI-LHR domestic? How do these flights work at T5?

OK I am an idiot. And I don't have the "time to go to bed" excuse that serfty has

That all said, the transit path between the UK domestic gates and Flight Connections area should be shorter than most other flights, so I still wouldn't bet on a difference in times. Do the domestics land at piers B or C? I think they are mostly only from the A pier (main).

 

[BVT]

It seems that you are all in violent agreement.

You have all kindly confirmed what I really suspected. Many thanks for all your help; much appreciated.

I will just have to spring for an airport hotel for one night.

Once again, many thanks.

 

[amaroo]

FWIW T3>T5 three weeks ago took ~2hours ... conditions were perfect as the incoming flight was F meaning we were at the front of every queue for our A380 load.

 

[Peter D]

At the border, justify to the officer why you are entering the country to change terminals when Flight Connections gives you the same thing, wasting time.

There is no border control between Scotland and England as confirmed in last years referendum.

EDIT Sorry point already made. I should have read further on.

 

[Sdtravel]

FWIW T3>T5 three weeks ago took ~2hours ... conditions were perfect as the incoming flight was F meaning we were at the front of every queue for our A380 load.

You just made me worried again.
I have a T5 to T3 QF to BA flight with exactly 2h transit. Was 2h 10m but QF rescheduled QF1 by 10m.
I was so hoping to get some lounge time in. But it appears not.

 

[Mal]

Isn't EDI-LHR domestic? How do these flights work at T5?

If arriving on a domestic, you are basically given a different route out of the airport. Personally If I was domestic, I'd skip flight connections and walk into arrivals, then catch the HEX/tube to T3 and re-enter security there.