BA and Miami airport

[johnb]

We are flying back on BA206 MIA/LHR following a cruise next month. As the flight isn't until 18:15, we will have a long wait at the airport. We have first class tickets, so will be able to use the AA Flagship lounge. However we have to check in first of course. I assume that we won't be able to do that until 3 hours before the flight?
Are there any other first class benefits I should know about at Miami?

[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by johnb

We are flying back on BA206 MIA/LHR following a cruise next month. As the flight isn't until 18:15, we will have a long wait at the airport. We have first class tickets, so will be able to use the AA Flagship lounge. However we have to check in first of course. I assume that we won't be able to do that until 3 hours before the flight?
Are there any other first class benefits I should know about at Miami?

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Miami check in will open approximately 3 hours prior to the departure of the BA 206 and sadly you won't have the opportunity to use the AA Flagship First check in as you aren't travelling on an AA Intercontinental flight unless you hold BAEC Gold card or above.

Depending on your disembarkation time from your cruise perhaps consider booking a day use room at a hotel near the airport.

Not sure if you know your way around MIA but once through security make your way to the AA Flagship Lounge at gate D30 where on arrival you will be given the invitation card for the Flagship Lounge. Once in the Lounge you will be able to eat in the Flagship Dining area (it has a regularly changing menu). The main part of the Flagship Lounge can be busy or quiet depending on arrival time but it is quite large and usually you can find a quiet space with charging points that work

When it comes to boarding it can take around 15 minutes to get to the gate as it is a relatively short walk towards Terminal E and a short shuttle trip to the gates and that's when everything becomes a circus. The holding area for the gates gets really busy (if you need to use the toilet facilities use the ones before you go down the escalator to the gate) and then join the throng. There are 2 areas for boarding basically dividing those on the lower deck (including First class) and the Upper Deck.

When you arrive at LHR if that is the end of your trip you can use the Arrival Lounge at LHR and there is a Concorde Room area you can use for breakfast. If you have a connecting flight from T5 you can use the Concorde Lounge by showing your boarding pass at the CCR reception desk.

[disney20042012]

Can I ask a quick question to Stanley please - do all of the Miami - Heathrow flights depart from Terminal E ? We are on the BA0206 row 83 (so assume upper deck economy) in May.
Thank you

OP I hope you get to use the lounge - it sounds amazing.

[bighal]

Originally Posted by disney20042012

Can I ask a quick question to Stanley please - do all of the Miami - Heathrow flights depart from Terminal E ? We are on the BA0206 row 83 (so assume upper deck economy) in May.
Thank you

OP I hope you get to use the lounge - it sounds amazing.

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Yes they do.

[johnb]

Originally Posted by disney20042012

Can I ask a quick question to Stanley please - do all of the Miami - Heathrow flights depart from Terminal E ? We are on the BA0206 row 83 (so assume upper deck economy) in May.
Thank you

OP I hope you get to use the lounge - it sounds amazing.

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I've checked the departure for BA206 a few times and every time it has departed from gate E24.

Thanks - looking forward to the lounge. Flying first class has been on my bucket list for years. This is likely to be my last transatlantic flight so I want to make the most of it.

[johnb]

@stanleycamel
Many thanks for the detailed information - that is most helpful. I have only flown back from MIA once before, so I can't say I know the layout at all.
At 85 years of age with a few health problems starting to build up, this is likely to be my last transatlantic flight, so I want to make the most of it.
Your suggestion of a day room is a good idea. I was considering a cruise-organised excursion which ends at the airport, but they drop you off around mid-day, which is still a long wait.

[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by johnb

I've checked the departure for BA206 a few times and every time it has departed from gate E24.

Thanks - looking forward to the lounge. Flying first class has been on my bucket list for years. This is likely to be my last transatlantic flight so I want to make the most of it.

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It's the only gate area in Terminal E that can handle direct boarding on to an A380 and to be honest it's not pleasant. It's a small area for the number of people especially when a flight is full and boarding can be chaotic. The escalators down to the boarding area effectively split it in two and the lower deck (First is on the lower dec) boards from the left hand side and Upper Deck to the right.

Was just typing this when you posted your comment above - I recommend that when they announce anyone needing pre-boarding assistance that you take full use of it.

[r.mac]

We were on this route in October. We were rather sharp dropping off the hire car and weren’t sure check-in would be open as we were over 3 1/2hours before our flight. We were flying business and while the main desks were closed there was one first/business desk who happily booked our luggage in.

Have a wonderful trip! Enjoy every minute 🥰

[johnb]

Originally Posted by stanleycamel

Not sure if you know your way around MIA but once through security make your way to the AA Flagship Lounge at gate D30 where on arrival you will be given the invitation card for the Flagship Lounge.

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We now have a day room booked at Miami Airport Hotel, which I understand is at Terminal E, where we will check in. Once through security, I am unsure of how we get to the AA Flagship Lounge by gate D30. There seems to be a walkway between the two terminals - is that the best way to get there? I am currently waiting for knee replacement surgery, so walking with a stick will be rather slow. How long should I allow to get there, and also back to gate E24 for BA206. Thanks

[Wembleygal]

Originally Posted by johnb

We are flying back on BA206 MIA/LHR following a cruise next month. As the flight isn't until 18:15, we will have a long wait at the airport. We have first class tickets, so will be able to use the AA Flagship lounge. However we have to check in first of course. I assume that we won't be able to do that until 3 hours before the flight?
Are there any other first class benefits I should know about at Miami?

See more...

If you are flying international Club or First Class on BA, of course you have access to the Flagship lounge. BA Silver and Gold also have access.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp