UK domestic connecting to international

[doctork]

Hi all

I'm making a booking to fly MAN-SYD connecting through LHR (to stick with OW carriers for the SCs). I'd like to get QF3407 (BA1407, dep MAN at 1945 arr LHR 2025), connecting to QF2 dep 2215. Flying J (Int), full-fare economy/club europe in UK.

Could anyone advise me:

(1) Is luggage usually checked through to SYD?
(2) What's the on-time running usually like? How likely am I to miss the connection?
(2) Is 1h30m enough time to get from T5 to T3, clear immigration, print new boarding pass (if needed)?
(4) What's the best check-in time in MAN? Is it the 3 hours as for an international flight, or shorter? How much shorter?

Otherwise, might have to stay one more night in MAN and get QF32 out of LHR at midday next day.

Regards

K.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Your luggage will be checked through to SYD you will also get your QF boarding pass at MAN.
IMHO I would be v. uncomfortable with 1 1/2 hrs to connect. I have had the BA call centre in India try to put me on a flight from GLA -LHR with a similar timing and I refused. If you are early it is always extra time in the Lounge .
Check in time at MAN is for domestic , the BA website is very vague on this and other things ,45 minutes would be standard to clear security etc
Happy travels !

 

[docjames]

+1 to personally allowing more than 1.5hr at LHR connecting anything to anything. Adding in the transit between T5 and T3 doesnt allow much margin for error.

/gambler mode/
If it's booked on the one ticket (PNR), through QF, you're "protected" (ie. they'll most likely help you re-route) but weigh that up against how much of a PITA it would be to miss QF2.

 

[alieninperth]

On my last dom/int transfer at LHR I allowed over 4 hrs to transit. I was transferring from a LCC to QF/BA so I needed to collect my bags and re-check in.

I arrived at T3 (I think) about 6pm, collected my things and made my way to the check in desk (T1 maybe, it was 5 yrs ago). I was in the check in line at 6.30. by 9pm I still hadnt managed to check in. There were a very large number of flights leaving around the same time. Tel Aviv, Cairo, Sydney, Melbourne, Sing, Hong Kong (and the obvious connections to Syd/Mel/Per etc) to name a few.

They started calling passengers for each of the flights forward and checking them through. I finally got my BP about 9.30 with the flight due to depart at 10pm or so. Not much time to enjoy the dep lounge at LHR but I least I got on the flight.

Pretty much the sole reason why I refuse to go through LHR now. I did FRA last time and that was seamless.

 

[flychrisfly]

I'd be quite happy with a 90 minute connection at LHR especially since your bags would be checked through and you'd have your boarding pass to SYD issued at MAN.

Here is the Heathrow Airport flight connection diagram, and they recommend 90 minutes.

The transfer is via the airside Flight Connections Process so no wwaiting for trains, etc just jump on the frequest buses at T5 to take you direct to T3, clear security and you're set.

 

[doctork]

Thanks for the advice, all.

What I've done is to book MAN-LHR on QF 3407 (=BA1407), arr LHR 2025, connect to QF30 dep 2230 - 2h5m connect time. Hopefully it's enough, but if not, I'm heading home so can do without my checked bag for 24 hours, and if I don't make it, there's always QF32 at 1205 the next day.

Things may be a little more squeezed inbound to Manchester. I've /gambled/, as you say, and booked with SC-hunting in mind, QF319 (=BA16) and *changing planes* to QF9 with no good reason (other than I like the A380 & want to get to LHR earlier than QF31). The side effect is a 1h20min connection for me (and my checked bag) at SIN, and then a 2h5m connect at LHR.

But it's all on one booking reference (is that the passenger name record you're talking about?) and one ticket, and Changi's good for baggage transfer, isn't it?

I guess I might be spending quality time in the MAN baggage hall if LHR can't get my bag from QF9 (arr 0540) to QF3537 (=BA1384, dep 0745) in time.

Another couple of quick Q's:
- the "one PNR" rule - does this mean one six-digit booking reference eg, 3ZY2X1
- when flying SYD-SIN-LHR-MAN-LHR-HKG-SYD, does having all segments with different flight numbers mean I get the maxxed SC rather than the point-to-point LHR-SYD earn?

Thanks - you people are all very helpful and gosh do you know lots!

 

[flychrisfly]

But it's all on one booking reference (is that the passenger name record you're talking about?) and one ticket, and Changi's good for baggage transfer, isn't it?

Another couple of quick Q's:
- the "one PNR" rule - does this mean one six-digit booking reference eg, 3ZY2X1
- when flying SYD-SIN-LHR-MAN-LHR-HKG-SYD, does having all segments with different flight numbers mean I get the maxxed SC rather than the point-to-point LHR-SYD earn?

Changi is absolutely fine for baggage transfers. They park all the BA and QF planes near each other so it's quick and easy for pax and luggage to transfer.

Yes, one PNR = 1 booking reference for the whole trip.

Yes, changing planes mid way means you get 10 extra SCs (from memory) for each SYD-LHR trip or vice-versa