Separate ticket connection in Heathrow - can I stay airside?
I have a flight from Zürich to Heathrow scheduled to land in Terminal 2 at 17:55, transferring to a flight to Ireland also out of Terminal 2, scheduled to depart at 21:10.
I will not have any checked bags - should I be able to make this connection in time, and will I have to leave the secure area as a normal arrival, or can I take the connections line, assuming that I have my boarding pass printed?
Best Answer
Because the UK and Ireland are part of a Common Travel Area, you have to do Immigration formalities in Heathrow. (There will be no immigration at your Irish destination; your second flight is domestic for immigration purposes.) I can't get the Terminal 2 Map to come up. My recollection is there are clearly-marked separate lines for transferring to UK/Ireland (where you need to get stamped in) vs transferring to Rest of World (stay airside, no checks) vs leaving the airport.
If your first leg is on time, you will make this connection without difficulty. With separate tickets you are, of course, at risk of getting screwed over if the first leg is late.
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Can you stay airside at Heathrow?
You cannot stay airside at Heathrow Airport overnight. You can however remain in the public areas and try and sleep (I wouldn't, as I would worry about my belongings getting stolen). There are no "sleeping couches", just ordinary seating.Do I have to go through security again for connecting flight Heathrow?
Everyone who boards an aircraft at Heathrow has to be security screened to UK government standards. Even if you've already been through security checks at another airport, we're obliged to screen you again before you fly from Heathrow.Can I stay in airport for connecting flight?
Yes, you can leave the airport during domestic layovers. For instance, if you're a US citizen and have a layover within the country, it is legal and safe to leave the airport. Be aware that you'll probably be getting two boarding passes if the domestic layover is more than an hour.Do I have to go through security again for a separate flight?
If you are booking two separate flights, you must give yourself as much time as possible between your flight's arrival and the next departure. This guarantees enough time to collect your luggage, re-check it and get through security again.Connection in London Heathrow
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