jyv29

Hello, I am traveling from Athens to Heathrow in July and arriving at 11:15am on Aegean. I have a flight to catch at 2:30pm on American Airlines to Los Angeles. Is this enough time? What is the fastest way to get to American Airlines? Do I have to go through customs again? Please help!

HappyTrvlr

Are you checking baggage? Or carrying on? Big difference.

travelgourmet

<i>Are you checking baggage? Or carrying on? Big difference.</i>

Agreed.

If you are checking bags, I am about 95% sure that AA will not allow you to through-check the bags. Accordingly, you will have to go through immigration, claim your bags, make your way from T2 to T3 (you can walk), recheck your bag, and clear security. If immigration is backed up (and it often is for non-EU passport holders), then this itinerary is very tight and potentially impossible.

If you are not checking bags, follow the signs for flight connections for T3 and take a bus. You should be able to get a boarding pass at the transfer desk at T3 (I think). You should have plenty of time if you are carrying on.

jyv29

Will attempt carry on only but not sure how strict Aegean is with the personal item. Their site says economy can bring one carry on plus one personal item up to the size of a medium backpack but not sure what their definition of a medium backpack is. Is there a reason for flight connections I should take a bus rather than walk? Thank you for your help! Very informative!

travelgourmet

<i>Is there a reason for flight connections I should take a bus rather than walk?</i>

Because you can't walk unless you go through immigration, which is your biggest potential bottleneck.

jyv29

Thank you!

RoamsAround

If you go here: https://www.heathrow.com/flight-connections

Put in your planned dates of travel and flight info you'll get step by step directions on making your connection.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

"If you are checking bags, I am about 95% sure that AA will not allow you to through-check the bags."

You can be 100% certain. Aegean and American will not check each other's bags through on separate tickets.

janisj

With hand luggage only this is a moderately doable connection. With checked bags - I'd say your odds are very slim.

Don't 'attempt' to do carry-on only. Downsize enough so it is a sure thing.



••• why do people always ask this <i>after</i> booking - rhetorical question •••

travelgourmet

<i>With hand luggage only this is a moderately doable connection.</i>

With over 3 hours, I'd say this is way more than "moderately doable".

janisj

I meant It is doable IF the incoming flight is on time . . . and still doable if its only a little late. Otherwise all bets are off.

thursdaysd

The LHR website says you need 75 minutes for a T2 to T3 connection with hand luggage only. Don't know how to ask for the time if you have to retrieve checked bags.

Are you sure that AA flight is at 2:30? I am seeing 3:15.

mjs

You have already booked these flights?

HappyTrvlr

You could have checked bags through with a partner airline such as United. Just carry on your luggage and follow the Heathrow Flight Connections link. We used the link last fall, very helpful and easy to use.