Minimum connection time LHR after QF9 to BA flights

[Cheesey Mac]

What is the process going from QF9 to BA in Terminal 5 airside? I would have thought it should be fairly simple like a bus or train between terminals, but it has been years since I last transited airside through Heathrow.

I've got a flight (on the same ticket) with a similar connection time going from QF9 to a Germany bound BA flight in early October which is why this thread piqued my interest.

Edit: Looks like it has been answered above

 

[Cognac]

Cognac - do you remember how long it took?

Pretty sure I was through to the other side on T5 within 50-60 minutes of pulling up to the gate, but I can't recall exactly. I don't recall it being painfully slow or excessively quick at any point in the process, but I wasn't paying a super high amount of attention though, having just schlepped through an 18-hour flight.

 

[ChrisMars]

I did T3-T5 QF1->BA last week, was fast because I got the bus 2 min before departure, and could use the fast track security. Was hoping to ask for an earlier flight at T5 service desk, but was declined. So I had to wait 5h for the connection. Good they have sleep pods in T5 lounge now.

 

[ChrisMars]

If transferring TO T5, i always transfer landside, much quicker if you use egates and have access to the First Wing. If youre bags are tagged through or HBO you can do it in less than 30 mins straight into the lounge.

How does it work, and why is F wing access required? Do you take the bus and pass security?

 

[jrfsp]

How does it work, and why is F wing access required? Do you take the bus and pass security?

If you have a passport that you can use e-gates for uk arrival, you can clear the border in minutes, take the free heathrow express between terminals and then clear security again at the First wing in T5. There is never a queue at the first wing and goes straight into the lounge so if you have access it provides much better efficiency over the standard transfer. (noting that security would be required anyhow at LHR as there is no sterile transit)

If you don't have fast track access the difference is probably negligible.

 

[clifford]

take the free heathrow express between terminals and then clear security again at the First wing in T5.

I take the (free) tube, as it's more frequent (you could wait 15 mins for the HEX) and the ride takes pretty much the same time.

 

[Mephisto]

I've done the opposite BA to QF1, in my case I planned a longer 4 hours on one trip and a whole day in London on the other. QF9 is 50/50 early or late, at the end of the day single ticket means you'll be rebooked but at busier times that may not mean the next BA flight.

So, how much time would you need for BA from LIN (T5) to QF10 (T3), especially with the need to go through passport control (departing Schengen; I can't imagine it being done in LIN?). Can it all be done airside? [Checked bags will be on one ticket]

 

[jrfsp]

So, how much time would you need for BA from LIN (T5) to QF10 (T3), especially with the need to go through passport control (departing Schengen; I can't imagine it being done in LIN?). Can it all be done airside? [Checked bags will be on one ticket]

No passport control if you transfer airside in LHR. 90 mins.

 

[Nivsy]

No

It does.

But I was entering the UK, as my connecting flight was to Scotland which is part of the UK i.e. a domestic connection. In that case you cant stay airside, have to enter and then re-clear security which is a pain.

No different to arrival international at SYD then onward to domestic transfer. Need to clear immigration pick up bags re check and transfer terminals. Bigger pain!

 

[BD1959]

No

No different to arrival international at SYD then onward to domestic transfer. Need to clear immigration pick up bags re check and transfer terminals. Bigger pain!

Has this changed? Always used to be that you cleared security & immigration at LHR but bags were through-checked and you cleared customs at the domestic port of arrival; no need to pick-up bags/recheck. LHR website suggests this is still the case ... A guide to connections

Regards,

BD

 

[PERLHR]

Has this changed? Always used to be that you cleared security & immigration at LHR but bags were through-checked and you cleared customs at the domestic port of arrival; no need to pick-up bags/recheck. LHR website suggests this is still the case ... A guide to connections

Regards,

BD

Yes..this is the case as you state on international to domestic one PNR transfer. Bags should go to final destination. Just did it 4 weeks ago no idea or recall what the nature of my 2024 convo earlier in the thread was all.about?

 

[Doddler]

Bumping as my partner and I will be transferring QF9 to BA726 on a Saturday January 2026, which is 1hr45 connection time. We are QF Platinum/OW Emerald and have Aussie passports. What do the wise folks here suggest we do?

Transfer fully airside T3-T5
Take airside bus T3-T5 then exit to landside and re-enter through First Wing
Exit to landside T3, transfer with tube to T5 and re-renter through First Wing

Any thoughts about what to watch out for? Or should I be calling Qantas and putting us on a later BA flight?

 

[ChrisMars]

Bumping as my partner and I will be transferring QF9 to BA726 on a Saturday January 2026, which is 1hr45 connection time. We are QF Platinum/OW Emerald and have Aussie passports. What do the wise folks here suggest we do?

Transfer fully airside T3-T5
Take airside bus T3-T5 then exit to landside and re-enter through First Wing
Exit to landside T3, transfer with tube to T5 and re-renter through First Wing

Any thoughts about what to watch out for? Or should I be calling Qantas and putting us on a later BA flight?

Airside for me.
I would keep the flight as is, and let Qantas BA fix it in case of misconnect. I found the transfer desk to be effective in those cases.

 

[Brettmcg]

Just remember that if you do use the landside transit you will need a valid UK ETA: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK

 

[Doddler]

Airside for me.
I would keep the flight as is, and let Qantas BA fix it in case of misconnect. I found the transfer desk to be effective in those cases.

I've just heard that even the "fast track" security when transiting in T5 just takes you up a separate elevator but then dumps you in the same line as everyone else.

We'll have a bus connection booked in Geneva, so keen to not miss the flight as who know when the next flight with available seats will be?

 

[ChrisMars]

I've just heard that even the "fast track" security when transiting in T5 just takes you up a separate elevator but then dumps you in the same line as everyone else.

We'll have a bus connection booked in Geneva, so keen to not miss the flight as who know when the next flight with available seats will be?

Then call Qantas to be booked on a later flight!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've just heard that even the "fast track" security when transiting in T5 just takes you up a separate elevator but then dumps you in the same line as everyone else.

We'll have a bus connection booked in Geneva, so keen to not miss the flight as who know when the next flight with available seats will be?

Qantas could be early. GVA could be delayed. There will likely be seats on the next BA flight to GVA, which is the one you’d be looking to change to proactively. But not much advantage as you’ll miss the possibility of the earlier flight.

 

[offshore171]

Unwise advice - it only takes delays/one flight cancellation and the next several flights will be full. These issues are ideally sorted before day of travel.

Very good point.

The other issue with such cases, is that even if you do make the connection, your bags may not.

Especially at Heathrow. Then you are left dealing with a luggage separation issue.


Better to get this sorted before travel, as you say.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Very good point.

The other issue with such cases, is that even if you do make the connection, your bags may not.

Especially at Heathrow. Then you are left dealing with a luggage separation issue.


Better to get this sorted before travel, as you say.

Ideally the time to sort it out may be before travel, but that’s simply not practical for many people.

Lots of people are travelling on awards and those can’t be easily changed. Others, by the time they realise the connection is short, would have to pay many hundreds or thousands of dollars to change their tickets.

Yes, if you can find alternative availability, or the change is free, go ahead and do it. But if you are constrained by the above, and everything is on one ticket, the worst that can happen is you have to wait for the next flight.

Could it be full? Sure. But there are usually multiple flights per day, and with jets of 100-220 people, you just need one or two to miss their connections or not show up and you’re on.

Even changing it before travel is no guarantee with flights being delayed.

 

[jamesatfish]

Airside is your best bet, and if the flight gods are on your side then 1:45 is plenty of time.

I made a 1:25 connection from QF1 to a BA flight to FLR in July with enough time to get breakfast at the lounge in T5, but everything had to go perfectly. Booked separate tickets as it was tighter than MCT, hand luggage only, QF1 arrived on time., first off the plane.

That said, it only takes one glitch and you’ve missed your connection, so if your plans in Geneva are important it might be a good idea to give yourself a bit more connection time just to be sure.