Overnight Layover in LHR

10 replies

LoveToFly

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 May 2012

Total posts 125

Hi all,

Quick question if i could team.

I will be flying into London Heathrow in July with BA First and have a 15 hour layover before an intra Europe flight in business next morning. Its all i could get with points. Iv looked everywhere and i seem to be getting mixed information on whether i can check my bag the whole way through to my final destination, land and use the Concorde lounge for a bite to eat and freshen up and then book into a hotel at the airport or in the city.

Hoping then to come back the next morning with my boarding pass already and hopefully still able to use the Concorde lounge before my Euro flight. Both flights are on the same booking. I rang BA (First line) but wasn't able to get any confirmation or helpful information. Thought i would check if anyone has done something similar.

Thanks,

LTF

jrfsp

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Mar 2014

Total posts 106

I dont think you'll be granted access to the concorde lounge on arrival as it needs to be same day. Also, if you intend to enter the country not sure your boarding pass would allow transfer if it's the next day.

I would enter the UK and head to the BA arrivals lounge landside at T5 instead (not the concorde lounge but better than nothing - closes 2pm)

tommygun

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 16 Oct 2017

Total posts 293

A few issues here:

a) for baggage checked through, your Europe flight will usually have to be BA (or another Oneworld, not sure on that)

b) some carriers have a "12 hour rule", no baggage check through for layovers longer than that

c) I believe some countries also put a limit on layover check through time, not sure about U.K.

d) entering the U.K. to a hotel you may get extra attention from Immigration if no baggage and a short stay

e) LHR terminals do have left luggage facilities landside

f) I believe there is no full service airside hotel at LHR but sleep pods can be found in T3.

Hope this helps.

MKS11

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 05 Oct 2016

Total posts 76

if you're booking at an airport hotel anyway, why don't you just collect bags and go straight there for the freshen up??

mnc

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Aug 2017

Total posts 39

i always find it hard to understand why travelers go to these amazing lengths to access airport lounges

quantumreality

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Jan 2018

Total posts 72

There is a good likelihood that your luggage may only be checked through to LHR - at least based on my experiences with other Oneworld airlines.

I had experience once with Qantas whereby they wouldn't even check me in for my next day connecting flight, even though I did not have any check in luggage AND both flights were operated by Qantas AND they were both of same booking number/ticket.

Another experience was with Finnair, the chat agent said that they woud not check the luggage through if there is more than a certain number of hours of layover (I can't remember exactly, on top of my head 12 hours or 10 hours . something like that).

I can understand the ability to check out the Concord lounge might be tempting (especially when it is only accessible when flying First Class!). Best of luck! :-)

dm12

Member since 08 Feb 2018

Total posts 216

Originally Posted by mnc

i always find it hard to understand why travelers go to these amazing lengths to access airport lounges

Agree. If you have 15 hours and want to go to a hotel, go to the hotel. You can find one way better than the crowded lounges at LHR.

LoveToFly

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 May 2012

Total posts 125

Thanks everyone and appreciate the answers, seems like il be collecting my bags and going straight to the hotel.

For those questioning around the Concorde lounge desire after landing i am not someone who gets to fly F many times and especially with BA. Its been 6 years since i was there last. I'm simply trying to get the most out of the experience that I can, also i love LPGS and thought a few glasses may be nice with a good meal before heading to a hotel. Each to their own i guess.

Last editedby LoveToFly at Jan 16, 2025, 10:52 AM.

TDAG

BAEC

Member since 10 Jul 2019

Total posts 13

Go straight to the BA lounge arrivals once you have your luggage, use the Concorde breakfast room (inside the arrivals lounge) and freshen up.

Take either the Heathrow express (20 mins) or the Elizabeth line (45mins) to Paddington, do not take the tube! Note the express is twice the price of the Elizabeth line.

Stay somewhere nice in town and enjoy the afternoon in London, followed by a decent meal. LHR hotels are fairly drab and not in T5.

Following morning, return to the airport and use the Business class check in. You will only be able to access club lounges (north or south), if you have time head to the B gates and use the lounge there as its much quieter, you will have to walk back to the A gates (15mins) if your flights depart there.

Also, BA no longer serve LPGS - they have a rotating champagne.


Last editedby TDAG at Jan 16, 2025, 12:00 PM.

Rc

Member since 19 Oct 2019

Total posts 14

I would recommend a booking at Sofitel London Heathrow

Directly connected to Terminal 5

I’m sure you can get a day booking, good restaurants and bar also

MrT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Aug 2015

Total posts 83

There is a Concorde lounge landside that you can use on arrival, just not the airside Concorde lounge on departure.

The arrivals lounge is only a very small restaurant - you have to head out to the business lounge for a shower.

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