Changing planes at Heathrow

[Bearkat]

Were planning on flying British Airways (no firearms) next summer to Joburg. There is a return flight that has a two hour layover at Heathrow, before departing for Houston. For those that have flown through London, is this enough time?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

You'll have to pass thru passport control and security again, but it should be long enough to get to your connecting flight. However my last experience in London is now getting to be a bit far back, 2015 if I remember correctly. As I recall it was about an hour for us to get back into the air side of the terminal. I definitely would not go any less than 2 hours.

 

[wesheltonj]

Yes, it's enough time, that's a T5 to T5 transfer. You just have to re-clear security in T5. That really will not give you much lounge or shopping time. T5 has some great shopping. One shop "The World of Whisky" might be worth a stop. There are also Hermes, Rolex, LV shops along with many others.

For others that might be reading: a T5 to T3 or reverse, a 1 1/2 layover is a legal layover. But it's not enough. You don't have time to stop and pee to make that connection. T5 to T5 or T3 to T3, it's enough time.

 

[jomw10]

I did that connection this year. The flight from Johannesburg was late and the 2 hours became 30 min!. I manage to run from the gate back to security and back again to terminal 5. I was the last one to board!. A side note my flight was actually delay by 2 days due to a break problem! But that’sa sorry for another day

 

[robertb4wd]

How difficult is it traveling thru Heathrow with a rifle (Houston to Johannesburg)? Looks like the flights connect in T5 with a 6 hour layover.

 

[Sika98k]

How difficult is it traveling thru Heathrow with a rifle (Houston to Johannesburg)? Looks like the flights connect in T5 with a 6 hour layover.

If your baggage is checked all the way through you are good. If you have to collect your luggage and check in again at Heathrow you are in a world of pain.
I recommend Apple AirTag in your luggage. I believe there is now similar for Android.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

You'll have to pass thru passport control and security again, but it should be long enough to get to your connecting flight. However my last experience in London is now getting to be a bit far back, 2015 if I remember correctly. As I recall it was about an hour for us to get back into the air side of the terminal. I definitely would not go any less than 2 hours.

Would you need to pass through passport control, even just for transit? Flying this route in two days, just staying for a couple of days both ways, so have more than enough time.

 

[spike.t]

Would you need to pass through passport control, even just for transit? Flying this route in two days, just staying for a couple of days both ways, so have more than enough time.

You follow transfer signs and have to clear a sort of check, but it involves scanning your onwards boarding pass...and security again but not the main landside to airside ones ......pretty easy....but I know the government is implementing a transit type visa you will need ...its in place already for some middle east countries ....its being started for other countries..but no sure exactly when...but think its fairly imminent...its electronic and done online

 

[Philip Glass]

How difficult is it traveling thru Heathrow with a rifle (Houston to Johannesburg)? Looks like the flights connect in T5 with a 6 hour layover.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you try this you need to be certain you are in BA metal all the way. Not AA to BA or vice versa. Most TA's are not recommending this route but it is certainly possible.
You have so many options from Houston I would choose another one.

 

[robertb4wd]

If your baggage is checked all the way through you are good. If you have to collect your luggage and check in again at Heathrow you are in a world of pain.
I recommend Apple AirTag in your luggage. I believe there is now similar for Android.

Thanks. Seems simple enough.

 

[matt vejar]

I made that same transfer type in 30 minutes this year T3-T3 on Virgin Air because of a 7 hour delay in Jo’berg. Had to Hustle the whole way!!! Security transit is quick. “World of Whisky” is awesome!

 

[wesheltonj]

How difficult is it traveling thru Heathrow with a rifle (Houston to Johannesburg)? Looks like the flights connect in T5 with a 6 hour layover.

Not difficult at all. With that kind of time you could even leave the airport and head to Windsor.

I am afraid with that kind of layover time at Heathrow staying in the airport, I would be either broke from shopping or too drunk from staying in a lounge too long and not being able to fly, or maybe both.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Would you need to pass through passport control, even just for transit? Flying this route in two days, just staying for a couple of days both ways, so have more than enough time.

Deferring to @spike.t and his post above. He’d know better.

 

[wesheltonj]

Would you need to pass through passport control, even just for transit? Flying this route in two days, just staying for a couple of days both ways, so have more than enough time.

No, unless you are leaving the airport. Otherwise, its just Boarding Pass check and security.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Seems the biggest issue has always been for UK folks flying into and out of Heathrow. Domestic flights come in at one terminal while overseas arrive and depart at another. A bonded courier was required to move guns from one terminal to the other.

The other issue has become British Airways gun handling fee. Seems it's gone up everywhere but BA is absurdly high. Lufthansa is very expensive as well. Avoid Air France!!! Pride themselves on being assholes. Swiss Air is the best. Very gun friendly. I like the Zurich airport.