Connection through Heathrow - Possible?

[GOFASTR]

Using the Lufthansa 241 they have me connecting through Heathrow on my return flight, Arrive Terminal 2 and Depart Terminal 3. The connection time is 1:30. I'm not familiar with LHR, so I'd like to know from those of you who may be more familiar, is this reasonable, no problem, doable but tight, or not at all likely to occur. This is our returning flight and it's not absolute that I get back on time, but I'd like to know before I purchase the ticket. Thanks in advance.

[aferyus]

You should have no problem connecting in 90 minutes. My suggestion would be to follow the signs in Terminal 2 for the Undergound/Heathrow Express. When you get to the entrance for this, then follow the signs for Terminal 3. This should take less than 30 minutes. My guess is that you are on a United flight back which is a Lufthansa code share.

[X3 Skier]

If it were me, this would definitely not be acceptable. This thread http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198577 has a lot of comments on London airports.

I (as I did in the thread) recommend taking a day in London on the return.:beerchug:

Cheers

[mapezzul]

DO NOT DO IT!!! It is not worth the savings... pay the hundred bucks and save yourself some aggravation!
Also on a UNITED flight you do not get the same service as on a Lufthansa flight.
Best of luck!:thumbup:

[JSpira]

You should have no problem connecting in 90 minutes. My suggestion would be to follow the signs in Terminal 2 for the Undergound/Heathrow Express. When you get to the entrance for this, then follow the signs for Terminal 3. This should take less than 30 minutes. My guess is that you are on a United flight back which is a Lufthansa code share.The pax would be in transit and would not necessarily clear U.K. immigration.

Normally, the pax would go via the in transit buses.

Depending on the lines, 90 minutes might not be enough. In a good day, it should be.

To the OP, why not take a direct flight from wherever and skip this part?

[Skiddy]

I'd be carefull about that timeframe. The problem MAY be that that you are forced to go through the "flight connections" area which serves as bottleneck for EVERYONE connecting through LHR regardless of where they are coming from or going to. Depending on the time of day/number of flights the wait to go through security there can be painful.

Aferyus' suggestion of exiting Terminal 2 completely and making your way to Terminal 3 may not be an option for you as you would need to through Customs clearance and then come back "in". My understanding is that the flight connections route avoids that.

[snohman]

DO NOT DO IT!!! It is not worth the savings... pay the hundred bucks and save yourself some aggravation!

Would it be ok if I'm saving over $500? :D

[GOFASTR]

DO NOT DO IT!!! It is not worth the savings... pay the hundred bucks and save yourself some aggravation!
Also on a UNITED flight you do not get the same service as on a Lufthansa flight.
Best of luck!:thumbup:

Unfortunately the difference is much more than $100. The total fare for the LH 2-4-1 is $2050 (for both passengers). The cheapest I've found elsewhere (priceline, kayak, travelocity, orbitz, yadda, yadda, yadda) is around $1450 each. This is about $900 - $1000 more total. I don't fly frequently and don't have any miles, so I am somewhat limited.

The pax would be in transit and would not necessarily clear U.K. immigration.

Normally, the pax would go via the in transit buses.

Depending on the lines, 90 minutes might not be enough. In a good day, it should be.

To the OP, why not take a direct flight from wherever and skip this part?

Jonathan, if I could, I would, but the only flight LH has available on that return date (7/29) is this one. Otherwise I'm forced to return on Friday 7/27 and shorten my trip by 2 days. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I'm not sure if I have to FULLY exit and then re-enter (which WOULD run my time short), or would this be a transfer through a separate area in Terminal 3 (since coming in from an EU country).

Thanks for your responses everyone. I have only "reserved" this flight, not confirmed it yet. I may call them back and see if they have anything else.

[ger3sf]

Connecting through LHR is a crapshoot...90 min may or may not be sufficient. The lines for the terminal buses and the transfer desks can get long. Personally, I would book a 2-hr min connection, and if lines are short, then there's more time to relax at the airport lounge.

But, if you're an uber-elite flyer, maybe an airline rep can meet you at the gate and escort you past the lines.

[JSpira]

The following may not be for everyone because it depends on circumstances and passports.

First, I still believe it is best to skip LHR.

If you can't, then it may very well be faster to clear immigration and walk to another terminal. You will go thru security regardless.

This option is best if some or all apply:
1.) You are travelling in business or first and can use Fast Track
2.) You have an EU Passport
3.) You are a fast walker
4.) If 2.) does not apply you can answer the question "Where are you staying in the U.K." and "What is the purpose of your trip?"

[GOFASTR]

OK, I called LH back and they have an alternate that I'd like to get opinions on. Munich to Frankfurt, then a 1:30 connection to leave Frankfurt to Chicago. Looks like either way I'll have 90 minutes to connect. So, if you only had 90 minutes to connect, would you rather go through Heathrow or Frankfurt. I have no preference, and I appreciate the advice of those with experience.

EDIT: In Frankfurt, both incoming and outbound are LH flights (975 and 432, respectively). In Heathrow, incoming is LH 4756, but outbound is United 9356. Wondering if the Frankfurt would be quicker since both flights are with same carrier (and perhaps no terminal change?).

[Skiddy]

GOFASTR... this link from the British Airways site may help you (Doesn't matter if you're not flying BA as the process is the same). You will have to go through the Flight Connections Center though, and as I said, that can get VERY busy so the times suggested on this link may be a little err... optimistic!

http://www.britishairways.com/cms/global/images/content/main/150by120/lhr_int2_int3_cnx.gif

[X3 Skier]

Last time I went through Frankfurt, it was MUCH better than Heathrow. In fact, you could make a better arrangement by dropping your car in Frankfurt and flying direct from there, if Lufthansa can offer a good price.

I did that on my last ED and even checked the bags the night before the flight.

Cheers

[Bombay Jay]

OK, I called LH back and they have an alternate that I'd like to get opinions on. Munich to Frankfurt, then a 1:30 connection to leave Frankfurt to Chicago. Looks like either way I'll have 90 minutes to connect. So, if you only had 90 minutes to connect, would you rather go through Heathrow or Frankfurt. I have no preference, and I appreciate the advice of those with experience.

EDIT: In Frankfurt, both incoming and outbound are LH flights (975 and 432, respectively). In Heathrow, incoming is LH 4756, but outbound is United 9356. Wondering if the Frankfurt would be quicker since both flights are with same carrier (and perhaps no terminal change?).

Frankfort! Much more efficient!

[jl5555]

OK, I called LH back and they have an alternate that I'd like to get opinions on. Munich to Frankfurt, then a 1:30 connection to leave Frankfurt to Chicago. Looks like either way I'll have 90 minutes to connect. So, if you only had 90 minutes to connect, would you rather go through Heathrow or Frankfurt. I have no preference, and I appreciate the advice of those with experience.

EDIT: In Frankfurt, both incoming and outbound are LH flights (975 and 432, respectively). In Heathrow, incoming is LH 4756, but outbound is United 9356. Wondering if the Frankfurt would be quicker since both flights are with same carrier (and perhaps no terminal change?).

Definately Frankfurt. No question about it. Avoid LHR at all costs.

[JSpira]

Frankfurt.

[Gran Turismo]

Definitely Frankfurt! Both flights with LH means same terminal, and your checked through luggage will make it as well!
FRA Terminal 1 is huge though, but you're still likely to spend more time at the US bound security checkpoint than for walking between the gates.

[jl5555]

I'll put in my 2cents for those here looking for summer fare deals to pick up a car in Munich. Currently, the cheapest trans Atlantic fare to anywhere in Germany I'm seeing for mid summer is on Continental through Newark to Cologne (CGN). From Cologne you can connect to Munich via air or rail.

As an example for GOFASTR the fare including taxes for BNA-EWR-CGN on CO is $968 roundtrip for 22-29 July. That's really not so bad. The roundtrip CGN-MUC is ~$130 on Air Berlin or Lufthansa. I think the rail would be a bit more. The best would be just to fly oneway to Munich for $35 and then plan the trip to dropoff somewhere closer to Cologne.

Newark to Colgne runs $880 in July including all taxes and fees.

The other alternative is to Dublin where July 22-29 is running $705 including all taxes.

[jl5555]

As an addendum to the above, if you're willing to cobble together a trip and don't mind flying from Newark to Luton you can fly business class across the Atlantic for $899 you can do it on Silverjet. An all business class airline flying from Newark to Luton airport near London. http://www.flysilverjet.com/ They are having a promotion right now with a free return from the UK when you buy the one way from Newark. Should come out to around $900 total to Luton then an add on from there.

[GOFASTR]

Wow, BIG thanks to everyone above. I think I'll definitely go through Frankfurt (and may just do drop-off in Frankfurt and avoid the connection altogether). Appreciate everyone on this Forum for making my first ED and first BMW purchase a pleasant and exciting experience!

[GOFASTR]

UPDATE: After calling back Lufthansa 2-4-1 to change my returning flight to connect through Frankfurt instead of Heathrow, they informed me that there were no seats available. HOWEVER - they conveniently found a direct return from Munich to Chicago that wasn't available last time I called them. SO - all of the above discussion is moot, as I now have a direct return. Oh, and the fare was $150 cheaper.

Lesson learned: I called back around 6 times total and was told something different each time, so this may work for others as well.

Again, thanks to all for your help. Can't wait until July!

[Jalli]

Lufthansa never really has their act together...

[mapezzul]

UPDATE: After calling back Lufthansa 2-4-1 to change my returning flight to connect through Frankfurt instead of Heathrow, they informed me that there were no seats available. HOWEVER - they conveniently found a direct return from Munich to Chicago that wasn't available last time I called them. SO - all of the above discussion is moot, as I now have a direct return. Oh, and the fare was $150 cheaper.

Lesson learned: I called back around 6 times total and was told something different each time, so this may work for others as well.

Again, thanks to all for your help. Can't wait until July!

Glad to hear.... my experience has always shown that the direct flight is the best way to go. The last 3 trips over the pond layovers only saved an average of a hundred bucks! :thumbup: Direct flights can be cheaper because of the lack of taxes and fees associated with each airport.

[GOFASTR]

Glad to hear.... my experience has always shown that the direct flight is the best way to go. The last 3 trips over the pond layovers only saved an average of a hundred bucks! :thumbup: Direct flights can be cheaper because of the lack of taxes and fees associated with each airport.

:thumbup: Yep, that's what the agent said. The Q-fare was cheaper by $100 and the taxes on the free fare were $50 less. And it's DIRECT, so that's even better.

[bmw949]

That's awesome. I love direct flights, I try to fly no other way.

[Steve_O]

LOL Never never go thru Heathrow if you ever decide to plan another trip to europe just for vacation, it's possibly the worst airport i have ever been too. Flight was late & had lost 8 luggages that were shipped on different planes. Luckily i got them all back.