LHR Connection ??

[Puppies x 2]

We are flying from NCE to LHR ...LHR to YYZ...via B.A. We arrive at terminal 1 at 1pm and depart from terminal 4 at 3pm. When we arrive at T1 do we pick-up our luggage and take it to T4 ? I have no idea since I have never flown before. It was suggested allow at least 30 minutes for transfer between terminals{don't know if that is by bus or taxi} and be at check-in minimum 40 minutes before departure. That only leaves us a 50 minute window for errors. {finding luggage, if that's what we do?,traffic delays between terminals,and possibly long lines at check-in, and heaven forbid we get lost:eek: }. Yes, the air was booked through the cruise line. Do you think we should try to change the departure time for the final flight? Spending a couple extra hours at LHR would be another adventure to this holiday. And give us time to shop at duty free. Any suggestions???????

[vivian02]

Don't panic it sounds alright. LHR is big but not as confusing as CDG. First of all once you check in your luggage in NCE ask if the luggage will automaticly transfer to your flight to Vancouver. I would think this would be the case but you never know. Getting to Terminal 4 from Terminal 1 really isn't a problem. Just follow the signs to the "Heathrow Express" for the transfer its free of any charge. Once you get off at Terminal 4 follow the signs to the gate area. You will have to go through security but once there you will find a nice shopping area and duty free area. Remember things are done different in London than the US or Canada. Your gate number will not appear until 30 to 40 minutes before your flight. This is normal for the UK, but drives some Americans and Canadians nuts. Its the British way. Have a good trip. Tim

[Globaliser]

We are flying from NCE to LHR ...LHR to YYZ...via B.A. We arrive at terminal 1 at 1pm and depart from terminal 4 at 3pm. When we arrive at T1 do we pick-up our luggage and take it to T4 ?

Your luggage will be through-checked from NCE to YYZ, so it will be automatically transferred at LHR. When you check-in at NCE, ask the agent to make sure that the bags eacg have a "Short connection T4" tag on it, as that will improve the chances of the bags making it to your LHR-YYZ flight. You should also have boarding passes for both flights issued at NCE.

 

When you arrive at T1, follow the signs for "Flight Connections Terminal 4". To start off with, there may be several terminals all lumped together in the same sign, but just make sure that you keep following the route for T4. This will take you to the Flight Connections Centre, which is part of the T1 building. You will clear security here. Then the signs will lead you past check-in desks (which is where you can pick up a boarding pass for LHR-YYZ if for some reason NCE can't issue it) and then downstairs to the bus stop for the bus to T4. When you get there, you will be taken upstairs straight into the main departure lounge/shopping area.

 

For a newcomer to LHR, this is the best way of doing the transfer, especially as you can readily get help if for some reason time begins to run short.

 

Two hours should be plenty of time for the transfer, but you won't have a great deal of extra leeway so don't dawdle en route. You can relax once you get to T4. Not knowing the gate number in advance shouldn't bother you, because there's plenty of time to get there, and there's nothing to entertain or refresh you at most of the gates but plenty in the central area. Normally, it isn't even necessary to go to the gate when the sign says "Will board gate xx" or "Go to gate xx". Unless you're a particularly slow walker, going to the gate when the sign changes to "Boarding gate xx" is plenty of time.

 

For more information, try this page on the British Airways website, or this page on Heathrow Airport's website.

[Puppies x 2]

Thanks,,,,,,,,I have printed out your directions. Such a positive and confident attitude. You have erased one more worry. Many thanks again.