Flight Connections FAQs
- How do I connect at Heathrow?
- Where do I go when I land?
- How do I find my gate number?
- Do I need to collect my baggage at Heathrow?
- Where do I get my boarding card?
- What should I do if my flight into Heathrow is delayed?
- Who can I ask for help?
- Where can I sleep overnight?
- What about liquids if I am connecting through Heathrow?
- What is my minimum connection time?
- What if I am connecting to another airport, eg Gatwick?
- What baby facilities do you have at the airport?
- What are you doing to make my journey better?
- Why do you need to take a picture of me when I connect on to a domestic flight?
How do I connect at Heathrow?
The exact process for connecting at Heathrow depends on where you're flying to and from. But you can use the ‘Which Terminal?’ tool on the left of this page to confirm your inbound and outbound flight details, and to obtain a personalised step-by-step connection guide.
Where do I go when I land?
From the moment you enter the airport to the time you arrive in the departure lounge, purple Flight Connections signs lead the way.
If you don't know which terminal you need for your onward flight, use the 'Which Terminal?' tool on the left side of this page. You'll also find 'Which Terminal?' information boards at the airport.
How do I find my gate number?
When you reach your departure terminal, check the flight information screens in the departure lounge and listen for announcements relating to your flight. Gate numbers are displayed on these screens one hour before departure.
Do I need to collect my baggage at Heathrow?
Your baggage may be through-checked to your final destination, but please confirm this with your airline as not all carriers offer this service. In the event that your baggage is not through-checked you must follow signs for arrivals and collect your cases from the baggage reclaim hall, then check your bags in as normal for the next leg of your journey.
Where do I get my boarding card?
You will usually be issued with all necessary boarding cards at your original point of departure. If that's not the case for you, please contact your airline.
What should I do if my flight into Heathrow is delayed?
If you are delayed and are likely to miss your onward flight, go to your airline desk on arrival.Your airline representative will be able to advise you of your options.
Who can I ask for help?
For all general enquiries please contact your airline representative or ask any member of staff at the airport. We have a dedicated team of Flight Connections Advisors and Customer Service Hosts who will be more than happy to help with your enquiries.
Where can I sleep overnight?
There is nowhere to sleep in the terminal. If your booking includes a stopover in a local hotel, please follow the signs to Arrivals – leave the airport via passport control, baggage reclaim and Customs, then check in as normal the following day.
It is a UK Border Agency requirement that all passengers entering the UK must present themselves to the passport desk at the first port of call. Therefore it is important that your passport/visa allows you entry into the UK. You can apply for a 24-hour visa on arrival. This is at the discretion of the UK Border Agency officer, who must be satisfied that you have a confirmed booking of onward travel within 24 hours.
If you need to find a place to stay, you can book an airport hotel with us.
What about liquids if I am connecting through Heathrow?
If your journey involves transferring or transiting through any BAA airport, you may be permitted to carry liquids, aerosols or gels – including duty free – through security in either of the following cases:
- The items have been bought in the passenger-only zone at an airport in the European Union*, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland, or on board an aircraft operated by an EU carrier or one from Norway, Iceland or Switzerland . The items must be packaged in a sealed tamper-proof bag provided by the airport/airline, inside of which is proof of purchase showing that the items were bought on the day of travel.
OR
- The items have been bought in the passenger-only zone at one of the following airports: all international airports in Canada and the USA; Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Split, Zadar and Zagreb in Croatia; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; or Changi in Singapore. The items must be packaged in a sealed tamper-proof bag provided by the airport, inside of which is proof of purchase showing that the items were bought within the last 36 hours.
* The EU member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
What is my minimum connection time?
Minimum connection times vary depending on your route and carrier. Please confirm this information with your airline.
What if I am connecting to another airport, eg Gatwick?
Passengers connecting to Gatwick must collect their baggage as it will not be through-checked. Whether you have hold baggage or not, please follow the signs for arrivals/baggage reclaim in your arrival terminal, then use one of the available travel options to Gatwick.
What baby facilities do you have at the airport?
Heathrow has baby change facilities in all terminals. Any restaurant or cafe will happily heat a baby bottle for you, while most also provide high chairs and children’s menus.
What are you doing to make my journey better when I connect through Heathrow?
We're making big improvements at Heathrow to give connecting passengers a better airport experience.
We are relocating alliance airlines within the same terminal to cut the number of transfers between terminals. We're making it much simpler for you to find your way from the landing gate to departure lounge. You'll also find that key parts of the airport have been refurbished, and faster, better procedures have been introduced at security control.
And if you do need to transfer between terminals you'll use improved bus connections with a wait time of no more than eight minutes.
Why do you need to take a picture of me when I connect on to a domestic flight?
New security measures have been introduced for passengers on domestic flights from Heathrow. If you’re transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight, you’ll be photographed before you pass through passport control.
We are required by the Government to introduce extra security measures to help safeguard the UK’s borders. Otherwise, it might be possible for an international connecting passenger to exchange travel documents with a domestic passenger and bypass border controls.
How does the process work?
When you present your identification or boarding card at security you’ll be asked to face the camera to be photographed. When it's time to board, security staff will check this photograph shortly before you get to your gate.
What will you do with my data?
Your photograph will be encrypted immediately to keep it secure, and will be destroyed within 24 hours, in accordance with the Data Protection Act. It will not be used for any other purpose. Data stored does not include your personal details.
Can I decline to supply my data?
These security measures are a Government requirement. Passengers who refuse to provide their data, or to validate it prior to boarding, will be denied entry and will not be able to board their flight.
