UK Electronic Travel Authority ATA for transit

[kiwitripper64]

We are going to transit in Heathrow in August on a QF ticket. We arrive on QF1 and depart on Iberia a few hours later to MAD. We are not planning on entering the UK, so I don't think we need to pass UK border control.
We are trying to find out if we actually need an ETA before we leave. And that's where it becomes frustrating.
The QF website is confusing as always. This morning I found a page that said I need an ETA to transit through Heathrow..
I cant find that page now but QF the travel document page

https://www.qantas.com/nz/en/travel-info/travel-advice/travel-documents.html

has the following for the UK

United Kingdom visa requirements​

The United Kingdom is progressively introducing an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) that must be purchased before departure for all travel to or via the United Kingdom, unless you're required to apply for a visa.

I find this ambiguous. We are going to MAD via LHR. I rang QF desk and had someone who had no idea. She said she would check and came back with the advice that its probably good o get the ETA because Qantas said I needed it. I pointed out that there was a discrepancy between QF and the UK govt advice ( see below) She said, Qantas says I need and ETA so go and get one.

The UK govt Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK
state that

When you do not need an ETA​

You do not need an ETA to travel to the UK if:
you’re transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control - check with your airline if you are not sure

I wasnt sure and was less sure after checking with the airline.

I then tried IATA. They say
TRANSIT❮United Kingdom❮LHR
Normal Importance
Visa Requirements
Nationals or New Zealand can transit airside through Manchester (MAN) or London Heathrow (LHR) without the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on the same calendar day.

At this point I thought I would email qantas. Surely someone could sit, read the email and get back with a considered opinion.
Email reply 1 said I need an ETA to travel to London, completey ignoring the TRANSIT question.
Email reply 2 said my ETA depends on passport nationality, not residency of Aus /NZ.
No reply yet to the third email

This would be amusing but I dont want to pay for an ETA if I don't need it. BUT I don't want to be denied boarding if I do. The final piece of the absurd is that it appears the UK govt did require ETA for transit at one time in the past.
Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated

 

[serfty]

There may be some information to help here:

Post in thread 'UK rolling out Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)'

May 24, 2025

So a Question for those LHR regulars: My assumption is in and out of T5 is NOT passing through border control?

You'll need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to pass through UK border control - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

www.gov.uk

You do not need an ETA if you will not pass through UK border control. You should bring evidence of your onward journey, such as a ticket to your destination.

• Cessna 180

 

[FlyingFiona]

Why are you being so insistent on a secondary source giving you information? Always go to the primary source. QF is not the primary source, the UK government is.

 

[kiwitripper64]

Thanks Serfty, I dont think I need it
The team at QF have got back to me with reply 3
We are truly sorry for the inconvenience you experienced about this matter, we appreciate your patience and understanding.

Electronic Travel Authorisation is required as based on our website for your flight booking to London. Please contact your local embassy for more details regarding your travel documents.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experience.

Where is redroo when you need them?

 

[Peter D]

You may find the attached useful. You will arrive at terminal 3 and Iberia use terminal 5.

You will be subject to security of course but follow transfer signs for transfers without technically entering the UK.

Connecting flights

Essential information if you're transferring between flights at London Heathrow – get a step-by-step guide to your Flight Connection.

www.heathrow.com

 

[kiwitripper64]

Why are you being so insistent on a secondary source giving you information? Always go to the primary source. QF is not the primary source, the UK government is.

Im sure it will work, we are just concerned that QF are the people who could decide I need a ETA before allowing boarding. I dont want that conversation.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Im sure it will work, we are just concerned that QF are the people who could decide I need a ETA before allowing boarding. I dont want that conversation.

The only people that are likely to give you a 100% accurate answer are the check-in staff. Call centre staff are not trained in visa issues and will always err on the side of caution.

Check-in staff will use TIMATIC. Whatever that says on the day you fly is what they’ll apply. At the moment TIMATIC includes the exemption for pax transiting the UK and not crossing the border.

Various airlines have links to via their websites, including United. It might be useful to arm yourself with where to find the information in the - very unlikely - event you encounter a problem.

 

[clifford]

If it were me, I wouldn't want to have any arguments (which you may not win) with check in staff at the airport, however remote a possibility.

So I would just get an ETA as insurance. And who knows, there may be some issue requiring you to go landside for some reason.