V-Flyer

I can't see this topic elsewhere on the search so...

I wish to fly to JNB in September from Aberdeen after my sister's wedding. The ABZ flight arrives at terminal 1 at 1915 and the JNB departs terminal 3 at 2100. Will this be plenty of time to make the connection? I know this service hasn't started yet but wondered if anyone had similar experience connecting with BA or bmi at the same terminals. IATA quote 75mins minimum connection time but the BA flights on this route are often delayed 1hr or so which is why I am concerned.

The flight before this one arrives at 1335 resulting in a long wait at LHR. Unfortunately I will only be in PE so won't have use of the clubhouse - just 3 hours at the the No1 Traveller Lounge

Also, does anyone know if we will be able to book multi-city trips online (or have I missed it on the website?) I wish to book a flight from LHR-ABZ before the wedding and return from JNB-LHR at the end of my holiday. Currently I think the only way to do this is over the phone.

Many thanks,

Steven

There is a handy tool on the Heathrow Airport website that shows you the minimum connections between the various terminals depending on your arrival terminal and your departure terminal and options on domestic / international arrivals and departures.

Personally I'd take the earlier flight just for peace of mind even though you will have a longer wait at LHR. You can buy longer access to the #1 lounge for £10/hour

If the ABZ flight was late I don't see VS holding up the JNB flight for you and the best they would do is book you on the next days flight (assuming it is all on one PNR and not booked as separate tickets).

I agree with Tonty - 1 hr 45 mins is tight for an inter-terminal transfer to an international flight. Not impossible, but tight, particularly so late in the day when delays are more likely to have built up.

Even if the ABZ flight's on time it could take at least 30 mins to get across to T3, re-clear security and get to the gate - by which time the JNB flight won't be far off boarding.

Agreed 7.5 hours is a long time to wait at LHR but better safe than sorry. You could always pop into London for a few hours.

I have arrived in T1 on an EI flight and with my bags checked through and so no having to claim and re-check, I have made it from door opening to the CH in 40 minutes. That has been walking through the underground passages between terminals rather than going through Flight Connections.

Assuming your bags are interlined you really have lots of time. Like HL I have made it from doors opening in T1 to the clubhouse in 30 mins using the underground passages rather than flight connections.
You're problem is the potential for delay on the ABZ flight and in your position I would probably take the earlier flight but it all depends on how much you need to be on the flight that day.
Bonne chance

The VS web site has a section concerning internal flights here

It says that if you are arriving into T1 and connecting to an international flight in T3 you will be offered a direct airside transfer between terminals, which avoids the security at T3, It also has information concerning checked through baggage.

Quote " making your journey as smooth and simple as possible"

Thanks for all your replies and comments. I think I will probably chicken out and take the earlier service. I'm going to ring VS when I get back to the UK later this week and confirm the airside transfer details. Maybe that will sway my decision.

It's great there is a fourth Manchester service but annoyingly it now means a longer wait for my friend at Heathrow when she connects to the JNB service. I need to convince her to still fly VS and then we can enjoy our long wait together! I have a sneaky suspicion I may lose that battle to Qatar Airways!

chumba wrote:The VS web site has a section concerning internal flights here

It says that if you are arriving into T1 and connecting to an international flight in T3 you will be offered a direct airside transfer between terminals, which avoids the security at T3, It also has information concerning checked through baggage.

Quote " making your journey as smooth and simple as possible"

But you won't avoid security ?|

Hamster wrote:But you won't avoid security ?|

It sounds as though VS will have a shittle bus to move pax from T1 to T3 to avoid security at T3. Presumably this is possible as the domestic connections have already been screened to UK standards so can be bussed direct to T3 to avoid the T3 connections security.

wwings wrote:It sounds as though VS will have a shittle bus to move pax from T1 to T3 to avoid security at T3. Presumably this is possible as the domestic connections have already been screened to UK standards so can be bussed direct to T3 to avoid the T3 connections security.

There already are busses.
Could possible VS pax only sealed busses, I'm sure that would be cheap for VS to get from HAL! Will ask about