Virgin's transfer desk question

Morning

A quick question we are on our first ex-eu flight in July we have to transfer from terminal 5 to 3. Do we have to go to Virgins transfer desk to check in or can we do this when we get to the clubhouse?

Thanks

Sharon

[mitchja]

If both flights are on the same PNR and ticket number (which ex-EU flights generally are) then no, your bags will just be transferred automatically from the BA flight straight to the VS flight and you don't need to do anything.

It's only when you connect and the flights are on separate PNR's / ticket numbers, does the next airline need to grab the bag tag number and enter it into their own system.

Thanks for the response. - yes we are on one PNR number

We flew from Brussels last Saturday and had to go from T5 to T3. We had done online check in 24 hours before, so followed the purple flight connections signs and the bus arrived as we joined the queue. Quick transfer to T3, through security and then we went via the Virgin desk immediately after transfer security. They did the final bits and confirmed our bags and then we were directed to the Clubhouse. Quick and easy. Have a great trip

Following on from my question - roughly how long does it take to go from terminal 5 to 3. I know it's says 90 mins connection time but does it take that long. We land in approx 9.10 on a Monday.

We do have plenty of time but just wondered what time we would roughly get to the club house - we are on one PNR number

Thanks

It can take 30 minutes or less or it can take an hour. Depends on a number of factors: how far your arrival gate at T5 is from Flight Connections, how long you have to wait for a bus (and it's not unknown for the queue to be so long you have to wait for the 3rd or 4th bus before you can get on one) and how long the queue is at T3 security.

I'd say the average is about 45 minutes.

[honey lamb]

It can take 30 minutes or less or it can take an hour. Depends on a number of factors: how far your arrival gate at T5 is from Flight Connections, how long you have to wait for a bus (and it's not unknown for the queue to be so long you have to wait for the 3rd or 4th bus before you can get on one) and how long the queue is at T3 security.

I'd say the average is about 45 minutes.

Or whether you decide to go through Border Control landslide and then take the Heathrow Express to T3. I did it on my last ex-EU from AMS and was lucky that Border Control was swift, there was a train due to leave in 3 minutes time and I was very familiar with the route from the HEX to T3. It was probably quicker than taking the bus from Flight Connections on that occasion and was less than 30 minutes but I probably got lucky and hit LHR at a quiet time.

One word of warning about 'fast track' security at Flight Connections (I assume you are flying ex-EU in CW/UC): the last two times I've been through, it's been slower that the non-fast track line. So take your time when you enter the Flight Connections hall, and see if you can get a sense of how things are moving. I'm sorely tempted to follow honey lamb's advice next time to connect land-side via HEX.

Up until recently, I've always made T5-T3 in under 30 minutes air-side. The last two times, it took about an hour.

It can take 30 minutes or less or it can take an hour. Depends on a number of factors: how far your arrival gate at T5 is from Flight Connections, how long you have to wait for a bus (and it's not unknown for the queue to be so long you have to wait for the 3rd or 4th bus before you can get on one) and how long the queue is at T3 security.

I'd say the average is about 45 minutes.

Or whether you decide to go through Border Control landslide and then take the Heathrow Express to T3. I did it on my last ex-EU from AMS and was lucky that Border Control was swift, there was a train due to leave in 3 minutes time and I was very familiar with the route from the HEX to T3. It was probably quicker than taking the bus from Flight Connections on that occasion and was less than 30 minutes but I probably got lucky and hit LHR at a quiet time.

Thanks for your advice, we would be happy to go through boarder control and onto the HEX to T3 - as we haven't done this before is it easy to do this way (signposted HEX etc)

Sharon

[honey lamb]

It can take 30 minutes or less or it can take an hour. Depends on a number of factors: how far your arrival gate at T5 is from Flight Connections, how long you have to wait for a bus (and it's not unknown for the queue to be so long you have to wait for the 3rd or 4th bus before you can get on one) and how long the queue is at T3 security.

I'd say the average is about 45 minutes.

Or whether you decide to go through Border Control landslide and then take the Heathrow Express to T3. I did it on my last ex-EU from AMS and was lucky that Border Control was swift, there was a train due to leave in 3 minutes time and I was very familiar with the route from the HEX to T3. It was probably quicker than taking the bus from Flight Connections on that occasion and was less than 30 minutes but I probably got lucky and hit LHR at a quiet time.

Thanks for your advice, we would be happy to go through boarder control and onto the HEX to T3 - as we haven't done this before is it easy to do this way (signposted HEX etc)

Sharon

It's a suggestion of an alternative rather than advice. Yes, it is fairly easy to do and is well signposted to and from the HEX. However, there is a fair amount of walking to and from the HEX and you may be unlucky to have to wait for a train. I don't mind it as I'm used to the trek from the old T1 to T3 which went past the HEX station turn-off - always a pleasant sight as I knew the end of the passage was near. I also like to stretch my legs before settling down to a long-haul flight, especially after an (albeit short) inbound flight.