American airlines to British Airway to Heathrow

[Kkon]

I'm flying on American Airlines to Philadelphia from there on British Airways to London Heathrow with a 10 hour layover in Heathrow and then on to South Africa on British Airways again.
Has anyone had recent experience on American Airlines transferring to BA and then going through Heathrow.
Many Thanks,
Kkon

 

[LivingTheDream]

Kkon,

I have done a transfer in Healthrow and it wasn't the funniest experience. They are partner airlines so that should not be a big deal and with a 10 hour layover you should be fine as well.

My question is are you bringing a rifle with you? The Brits if I recall from other members stories can get a little antsy when someone brings a rifle.

 

[Kkon]

Yes I am, that's my only concern. I have been adamantly warned that my rifle will not make it out of Heathrow. That they have a big safe they keep the guns in and that they return your weapon to you on your roundtrip back to the United States. With a 10 hour layover the gun is sure to sit somewhere in the airport before making it onto the flight to Jo'berg.
Thank you for the input.
Kkon

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

@Kkon

Unless things have changed in the last couple of years, your last post does not make sense to me. It is true that flying through Heathrow with firearms is not something to be glossed over. Had you been making a transfer from American Airlines to British Airways in London, I'd be more concerned. But you're making that transfer here in the USA and I think you may just need to claim your firearms in Philadelphia and other luggage and then recheck with British Airways.

I flew on BA from Phoenix to London, London to Johannesburg in May, 2015. I started on BA and never transferred. I had to inform BA that I was traveling with firearms no less than I think it was 3 days before I departed. Once I was at the airport there was a bit of a paperwork process to go through. A little hassle but not a huge deal either. There was also a charge for BA to handle the firearms. They have specific people to do just this, i.e., it's also a hassle for them with the UK gov't. But they how to get it done.

So many hours later I landed at Tambo and in short order my firearms were brought to the SAPS office. When I flew back home to Phoenix, my rifle case arrived there too with no problems.

I think the best thing you can do is follow the same process I did, but handle it as if your trip was starting in Philadelphia. In the end I'm certain you can get this done. I have to get off to work now, but will revisit this later today.

 

[wesheltonj]

I have transferred from a BA to BA flight in Heathrow with a firearm. Not a problem. The problems arise with a AA to BA transfer. I thinks its AA policy that that will NOT transfer a firearm from AA to BA.

You must call BA 72 hours before traveling, and then call back 24 to confirm you have authority to carry your gun. At the airport they will give you a form to complete for the carriage. Make sure you get a photocopy of the form and carry it with you. You might need it for the return flight from JNB home, I did. BA hires some company to do your check-in in JNB, that's where you may have a problem. They could not find gun in the record. Thankfully I had a photocopy of the carriage from the USA to JNB and problem was solved after an hour.

 

[Kkon]

I have transferred from a BA to BA flight in Heathrow with a firearm. Not a problem. The problems arise with a AA to BA transfer. I thinks its AA policy that that will NOT transfer a firearm from AA to BA.

You must call BA 72 hours before traveling, and then call back 24 to confirm you have authority to carry your gun. At the airport they will give you a form to complete for the carriage. Make sure you get a photocopy of the form and carry it with you. You might need it for the return flight from JNB home, I did. BA hires some company to do your check-in in JNB, that's where you may have a problem. They could not find gun in the record. Thankfully I had a photocopy of the carriage from the USA to JNB and problem was solved after an hour.

Thank you for your replies. The flight I'm worried about is Detroit to Philadelphia on AA, and then the 10 hour layover in Heathrow. This is where I've been told the gun may end up in a safe.

 

[wesheltonj]

I would call AA and ask them if they will transfer the gun to BA in Philadelphia. I suspect NO. I have had a 10 hour layover at Heathrow, your gun will make your flight to JNB. BA will confirm your gun on the jetway while boarding.

 

[Hank2211]

I have transmitted Heathrow more than 6 times in the last few years with a firearm. Most recently was last April. In each case I have changed airlines in London.

I have never had a problem. My guns have been checked straight through to Africa. Never a question raised.

Heathrow and the UK are not the problem, and I believe we need to be careful about assigning the blame for problems. If you are switching airports you will have some challenges, but they will be surmountable. If you are checked through to Zimbabwe you will definitely have a problem.

Otherwise, it's the airlines that are making your life difficult, not the Brits.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I will go with whatever @Hank2211 says.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

@Kkon,

Click here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-u...-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions#firearms

Once on that webpage scroll down till you see "Prohibited items" After you get to that point click on the "+" sign to the right of where you see "Firearms and ammunition" which is the first line item under "Prohibited items"

Please take time to read this section. You'll see that you must declare to BA at LEAST 72 hours in advance of your trip. I personally would do that as soon as you know which rifles you're taking with you. Just get that taken care of well before your trip. You'll also notice some verbage regarding a charge "to cover the cost of our specialist firearms and ammunition handling partner."

As far as I can tell no one at BA or a rep in the UK has any intention of locking up your firearms in a safe for an indefinite period of time. From what I understand, persons who are traveling with firearms will have their gun case as well as their other checked baggage held in a "special" locked area, with access limited to only a few individuals, on the plane as well as at Heathrow airport while waiting transfer to the next connecting flight. You have a 10 hour layover, I think it's safe to say they will need to hold your stuff until the plane is at the gate and ready to be loaded.

If you think about it, wouldn't you prefer to have your luggage including your firearms in a more secure area than just sitting on a cart out in the open where any Tom, Dick or Harry would have access to your case?

Is this all a bit of a hassle in the end, yes it is. But after 4 trips to South Africa all on different airlines, including Delta who is the most hassle free when traveling with guns, I've come to the conclusion that the extra hassle is actually worth it as the airline is indeed treating my luggage and rifle case with extra care versus just another piece that could end up somewhere else than where it was headed to.

How long is your layover in Philadelphia?

 

[Lrntolive]

Does anyone know if bows will be any issue in Heathrow? My large black bow case is being checked-in in Denver on BA. I fly all the way through to Windhoek.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Does anyone know if bows will be any issue in Heathrow? My large black bow case is being checked-in in Denver on BA. I fly all the way through to Windhoek.

No issue at all according to BA's website.

 

[BWH]

I have ran into this personally..... it's an AA issue. If BA carries the firearm into London, you're ok. If AA does, then BA won't take it out. Really depends on where AA starts/ends & where BA does.

 

[Kkon]

Thank You BWH, my flight originates on AA in Detroit, from there I go to Philadelphia. In Philadelphia I transfer to BA, will that be a problem?
Kkon

 

[BWH]

You bet @Kkon! It sounds like you are probably in good shape. My point of origin is DFW, and damn near to get out of here, especially internationally is on an AA flight. Even though they codeshare with BA, it's a London issue. They won't transfer guns between carriers is basically the simplest way to say it. I've had several friends go to Africa from here.... naturally they all want to use miles on AA to fly for free.... none of them take firearms.... they just rent because of this asswhipping. I'd call both airlines, just to confirm.

 

[Kkon]

Thank You Sir! My PH warned me profusely about Heathrow, so I'm very torn about taking my own rifle and possibly have it spend two weeks in a safe at Heathrow.
Kkon

 

[BRICKBURN]

Does anyone know if bows will be any issue in Heathrow? ...........

None. By Bow and Rifle in the same case were never any issue, either direction.

 

[Philip Glass]

Good luck is all I can say. I do not know any travel agent that will send you through London with guns. I have heard too many horror stories to attempt it even though it is THE cheapest for me typically when I search flights. My big disaster in 2015 involved AA and BA and a weather delay. So blame the weather if you want but between AA and BA my guns were out of my possession for 16 days and at NO POINT could any person tell me where exactly they were! You know some of these morons say they won't fly the gun with out you...but that is exactly what they did initially then they never would let the gun catch up with me!
I am glad @Hank2211 and others have had no issues because some folks really need to go through London as a practical matter but not me not with a gun not ever!
Regards,
Philip

 

[Hank2211]

Good luck is all I can say. I do not know any travel agent that will send you through London with guns. I have heard too many horror stories to attempt it even though it is THE cheapest for me typically when I search flights. My big disaster in 2015 involved AA and BA and a weather delay. So blame the weather if you want but between AA and BA my guns were out of my possession for 16 days and at NO POINT could any person tell me where exactly they were! You know some of these morons say they won't fly the gun with out you...but that is exactly what they did initially then they never would let the gun catch up with me!
I am glad @Hank2211 and others have had no issues because some folks really need to go through London as a practical matter but not me not with a gun not ever!
Regards,
Philip

Phillip, I hear these stories, but as noted, have never had a problem myself. I will be going through LHR again this summer with firearms, and expect it will be the same as always.

As I noted in my earlier post, I really do think this is airline specific. There are no peculiar UK rules or regulations which would or should impact on a transit, other than the UN embargo on Zimbabwe. But Zimbabwe aside, I've never met anyone who's had trouble who wasn't on a US airline (AA seems to be the main culprit). I have no idea why that should be.

 

[BRICKBURN]

................My big disaster in 2015 involved AA and BA and a weather delay. So blame the weather if you want but between AA and BA my guns were out of my possession for 16 days and at NO POINT could any person tell me where exactly they were! .................

Did you ever get an explanation as to what transpired?