Indirect via Heathrow help please

Worgie · 9 Jan 18, 08:23 AM

Hi all, we have booked to fly indirect for the first time in August with BA MAN-LHR-MIA as the flights were ridiculously cheap. Quick question as we have never done this before and all the threads seem to be via Philadelphia etc. Has anyone done this journey?
I was wondering about check in at Manchester - do we check in as an international flight or a domestic one? (Just wondering if I can have a few more minutes in bed lol!)
I assume we will check our luggage in in Manchester and will only see it again once we get to Miami?
We plan on using the hour and a half at Heathrow to grab some breakfast and wend our way to our next flight.
Also although our car etc will be in Manchester on the return leg is it ok if some of our party go home directly from Heathrow as it is nearer to home whilst a couple of us continue to Manchester and collect our luggage & car?
I would be grateful for any tips from Dibbers who have flown this route.
Thanks in advance.

tinkerella123 · 9 Jan 18, 10:03 AM

There will be a few dibbers doing this route in Aug, you will check in at man as a domestic flight, (2 hrs before)your cases will go straight through to Miami, however you will need to change terminal at Heathrow therefore you will have to go through security again to catch your Miami flight. Shouldn�t take long but remember to allow time for this.

naomi · 9 Jan 18, 10:48 AM

Security at MAN T3 can be very busy in the mornings, so dont cut it too fine, we loved checking in for the MAN-LHR leg, noone in the queue atall

scouser · 9 Jan 18, 10:50 AM

We are doing this route in Aug. Once you check in at man you will not see your bags till miami. But as above you will land into t5 at lhr and you depart from t3 for mia so give yourself at least 30 mins for the terminal transfer... as for your return question once you check in at mia you won't see your bags till man so you can't get off at lhr as your bags will carry on till your final destination.

Disney_time · 9 Jan 18, 11:15 AM

I wouldn't count on breakfast at Heathrow. Bring it on your flight from MAN as a takeaway, as no breakfast is handed out, just available for purchase on BA domestic.

That gives you your 90 mins to get between terminals at Heathrow. Follow the purple signs for transfers, rather than exit or baggage claim otherwise you will find yourselves back outside security and have to do that again. Once you are at Terminal 3 go straight to your gate as you may find it will start boarding. 90 mins is OK but I wouldn't be lingering in shops or restaurants as you might need all that time.

Regarding the return question, BA may decline to 'short check' some of the bags to Heathrow as it is against the rules of the ticket, but you can ask at check in.

TheRobsters · 9 Jan 18, 04:36 PM

We are doing this route in August as well. I was also hoping that we would be able to collect our luggage at Heathrowon the return as we live on the south coast!
I have read on here that some people were able to collect their luggage and miss the final leg of the journey. Is there anyone who has been able to do this and if so, how easy was it?
If we are unable to collect our luggage at LHR what implications are there if say only 2 of our party travelled to Manchester ?
Thanks for all help

jim jehosofat · 9 Jan 18, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by TheRobsters

If we are unable to collect our luggage at LHR what implications are there if say only 2 of our party travelled to Manchester ?
Thanks for all help

The plane to Manchester will be delayed whilst the luggage of the missing passengers is removed. Don't know how you would retrieve these bags though.