Well that was the most painful transfer at LHR ever. What was meant to be a quick 20 transfer turned into a 60 minute affair thanks to a catalogue of errors.
- First up, a 40 minute delay due to high winds. Not ideal, but I’ll live with it.
- The bus that was meant to connect with the plane T1 didn’t make it – so it was transfer via Flight Connection Centre. For those of you who don’t know what this means on a UK & Ireland connection, it means you have to leave the sterile zone completely, re-clear security and THEN fight your way through T1 to Flight Connections Centre – which is a challenge itself (I’ll give you a hint: it’s near the Star Alliance Lounge in Zone R). After discussing with an agent, I was finally let through to the FCC.
- There was the usual wait for the bus.
- Then after a 10 minute ride around LHR, we finally dock at T5 to the biggest mess I have ever seen
- Was Fastrack signposted? Only if you had eagle eyes…
- And security took time as well.
So calm you’ll flow through was the catchphrase to T5… Well – that’s a load of old cobblers isn’t it?
And now to top it all off, I have the joy of Gate A10 to deal with – or in other words – the Bussing Gate.
To say I’m not trying to explode is an understatement as a good connection has been thrown into bits.
British Airways and Heathrow Airport – I’m not impressed.
Next time you might be better off clearing landside, getting the Heathrow Express to T5 and then clearing regular security. Inter-terminal connections at LHR are still a bit of a disaster area.
Connections at T5 have become a zoo recently with the queue in the corridor shown in your picture being pretty typical. I was talking to one regular connector the other day who leave three hours between flights when he has to go through T5. And what’s the supposed Minimum Connecting Time?
Normally, I HATE and I do mean HATE flying into LHR but the last time was not so bad (last month). We were going to MIA with a layover in LHR and for the first time ever the waits in security were not that bad. Normally, it’s one of the worst airports and I normally dread going thru it because I know the waits and often VERY long and staff there are just plain rude!
I do try to avoid that airport if able and hopefully next time you will too.
next time try FRA MUC ZRH or AMS … you’ll breathe a lot better
there’s a reason why it’s called London Deathrow
Well shortsighted infrastructure planning has left BA in 3 terminals once again post-BMI acquisition. BA have tried their best to put the O&D flights in the other terminals.
If you do a T5-T5 connection its actually quite pleasant, save for the extremely rude British security.
Until then, if you want a hassle free connection fly the flag carrier of the UK: KLM.
Don’t even get me started on A10. Two flights to manchester within 30 mins of each other in the evening. Same gates? No. Opposite ends of the terminal? hell yes! catches out approx 15 passengers every evening, according to BA staff