Trans Atlantic via LHR

aaronm13

Looking at flights to Chicago at the end of September/early October and BA and Virgin are about 150 euro per person cheaper than Aer Lingus and the American carriers. I 've never flown to the states through London and just looking for some clarification from the knowledgeable people on here as I have been told conflicting things from friends and family, so.

If I book via BA are your bags checked all the way through to Chicago or do we need to collect in Hethrow as the connection times I'm looking at vary between 90-120 minutes. If I need to collect cases these flights will be a no no.

Again if booked through BA do we have to pay for our suitcases on the DUB-LHR leg. Some people have told me you do so this would wipe out any savings if we have to pay for this. I get options of Aer Lingus or BA for this flight so would it be best to keep it all BA?

If booking through Virgin Atlantic you get redirected through ebookers to book the DUB-LHR-DUB as the Virgin site only deals with their own flights. I take it this would mean two separate bookings and would definitely have to pay for our suitcases on this leg. Thanks in advance. Just want to make sure I have everything 100% before I book as I 'll be in trouble with herself.

LXFlyer

If you book with BA, there are no charges with EI or BA on the DUB-LHR leg. To be honest the easiest option is keep it all BA - no baggage charges that way at all, and full service too for free.

Either way if you fly EI or BA to LHR you can check the bag right through to Chicago and you don't need to pick it up at LHR.

I would err on the side of caution and allow 2 hours connecting time minimum at Heathrow. It just leaves enough time to transfer from T1 to T5, and time for unforeseen delays.

Tenger

As above, 90 mins is too short to connect in LHR.
Keeping the booking all BA is easier for checked in bags. I'm not sure which terminal BA arrive into at LHR, T2 has opened there last week. I would guess that your LHR-ORD flight leaves from T5.
Also allow for the fact that you will have to queue and be processed through US Immigration and Customs after arrival in Chicago. If going direct from DUB you would do this before boarding there.

LXFlyer

Tenger wrote: »

As above, 90 mins is too short to connect in LHR.
Keeping the booking all BA is easier for checked in bags. I'm not sure which terminal BA arrive into at LHR, T2 has opened there last week. I would guess that your LHR-ORD flight leaves from T5.
Also allow for the fact that you will have to queue and be processed through US Immigration and Customs after arrival in Chicago. If going direct from DUB you would do this before boarding there.

BA are not moving from T1 to T5 at Heathrow until the end of October for Dublin flights.


Aer Lingus move from T1 to T2 at Heathrow on the 9th of July.

aaronm13

Tenger wrote: »

As above, 90 mins is too short to connect in LHR.
Keeping the booking all BA is easier for checked in bags. I'm not sure which terminal BA arrive into at LHR, T2 has opened there last week. I would guess that your LHR-ORD flight leaves from T5.
Also allow for the fact that you will have to queue and be processed through US Immigration and Customs after arrival in Chicago. If going direct from DUB you would do this before boarding there.

Thanks for all that guys. Had a feeling 90 mins was a bit tight. Not to bothered about the pre clearence, it's dead handy but it's not worth over 300 euro handy. Did the customs in Chicago for years before the pre clearance came in here and never found it that big of a deal. It's a nice bonus doing it here but I can think of a lot better things to spend 300 quid on when I get there.

Idbatterim

if you miss the connecting flight through no fault of your own they put you on the next one out dont they? if the bags are checked through and you dont have to go through security again, surely 1.5 hours is enough assuming the plane gets into Heathrow roughly on time...

circular flexing

Idbatterim wrote: »

if you miss the connecting flight through no fault of your own they put you on the next one out dont they? if the bags are checked through and you dont have to go through security again, surely 1.5 hours is enough assuming the plane gets into Heathrow roughly on time...

You do have to go through security again when transferring from T1 to T5. Not sure will this be the case when BA transfers DUB flights to T5.

circular flexing

lxflyer wrote: »

- no baggage charges that way at all, and full service too for free.

Where "full service" means a cup of tea and a couple of cookies (for the average passenger).

LXFlyer

circular flexing wrote: »

Where "full service" means a cup of tea and a couple of cookies (for the average passenger).

Well it beats paying for it on Aer Lingus when the fares may be the same or cheaper keeping it BA all the way.

tricky D

BA DUB > LHR and back was T1 last autumn.

circular flexing wrote: »

Where "full service" means a cup of tea and a couple of cookies (for the average passenger).

Sandwich whenever I used that route and carrier.

circular flexing

tricky D wrote: »

BA DUB > LHR and back was T1 last autumn.



Sandwich whenever I used that route and carrier.

I used it twice this year (February and March) and both times it was a choice of biscuits or crisps. The time before that was August 2011 and I think it was a sandwich alright.

LXFlyer

tricky D wrote: »

BA DUB > LHR and back was T1 last autumn.

Sandwich whenever I used that route and carrier.

As I posted above BA DUB/LHR is staying in T1 until the October schedule change.


Service these days is tea/coffee/bar and crisps/cookies.

dubdaymo

The BA DUB-LHR flights always have a large number of people connecting onwards at LHR so you will not be on your own. At the moment all ex-DUB BA flights go to T1. They told me a few weeks ago that they will not be using the rebuilt T2 at LHR but 99% certain T5 by Autumn of this year. As you disembark at LHR, halfway up the airbridge a BA rep will be waiting to direct you down steps to buses that will transfer you to where you need to be so you will not have to walk down that long tubeway to baggage reclaim.

I have been on flights that were delayed due to weather and caused missed connections but I was very impressed with BA's handling of pax and reassurances of being on the next flight so I wouldn't worry on that score.

The "full service" is not really for free . You don't pay on the day but it's included in the fare. It varies depending on the time of your flight. In the early morning you get a filled with something croissant, tea/coffee and orange juice. On later flights you get a choice of a couple of biscuits or a packet of fancy crisps plus tea/coffee. Caveat: If you are asleep when they arrive at your row the CC will not waken you, LOL.

LXFlyer

Again, BA DUB/LHR flights are moving from T1 to T5 but not until the October schedule change.

This was confirmed earlier this year.

A Dub in Glasgo

Do BA do a cooked breakfast on their early Dublin to Heathrow flights? I flew BA Glasgow to Gatwick this morning and had a lovely cooked breakfast. During the day, I always ask for a vodka and coke and the Lily O'Briens

Patrickheg

Worth looking beyond the €150 as sometimes it's worth it to pay a bit extra and fly direct especially if you are travelling solo. Think of the less hassle from
-clearing customs in Dublin and arrive into a domestic terminal in the US(huge time and stress saving and I find dublin emigration that bit friendlier),
-no chance of missed connections,
-no arriving into London on your home bound flight tired and having to go through the hassle of a terminal change in London and then the long walk to the aer lingus stand at t1 heathrow,
-less chance of your bag going missing,
-option of landing in the US as early as 11.30am,
-avoid the usual trap where you end up spending a few quid (water / snack) at your stopover airports.

All in all you could potentially save 3 or 4 hours each way.

On the other hand I wouldn't book aer lingus due to their strike threats.

LXFlyer

BA often use gate 8 for their Dublin bound flights at Terminal 1 in Heathrow negating the walk which is worth keeping in mind.

circular flexing

lxflyer wrote: »

BA often use gate 8 for their Dublin bound flights at Terminal 1 in Heathrow negating the walk which is worth keeping in mind.

Gate 8 also has the advantage of being a really great place to watch planes taxi and take off.

basill

It never ceases to amaze me how little people value their time and the inconvenience they would put a family through in order to save a few quid. I have a few golden rules for travel.

1. Don't head east if I want to go west and vice versa
2. Avoid British security and taxes at all costs
3. Limiting the number of connections limits the chances of bags going astray and missing flights

markpb

basill wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze me how little people value their time and the inconvenience they would put a family through in order to save a few quid. I have a few golden rules for travel.

A few quid maybe but the difference can be several hundred euro which is valuable to some people.