Reports from the Road: Arriving at London Heathrow
London Heathrow
Image | Belinda Fewings, Unsplash
Here is an update on travelling through London Heathrow to Edinburgh (current as of Februrary 11, 2022 and at time of publication. Travel guidelines and restrictions are subject to change; be sure to check with existing national and local government agencies as well as your airline for the most up-to-date information for your travels):
Now that the need to test prior to and after arrival have been lifted for fully vaccinated travellers.
My flight from Bermuda to London Heathrow involved an easy check-in in Bermuda, but i had to show electronic or physical documentation with QR code showing proof of vaccination status, as well as my UK Passenger Locator form (filled in within 48 hours before departure).
The flight was busier in Business Class and Traveller Plus than in Economy, so I had what I call "poor man's business class" (i.e., three seats to myself with a great window view!). British Airways has changed (shrunk) their in-flight food offering, so eat before you go or bring snack for your flight.
We landed just after 6:30am and then had to follow the signs to the Flight Connections Centre with everyone else pouring off overnight flights. Here you need to go through Passport Control—if you have a biometric enabled passport, you can use the automatic gates (which weren't working very well on the morning of my arrival). After this, you move on to hand luggage security checks (even though you already did it for your flight to London). The staff are assertive but polite. Just make sure all your hand luggage liquids fit in one of the small bags and are in containers less than 50ml (7 oz.). Also be sure to take your laptops and tablets out of their cases or your bags.
Once you pass this point, you have mastered Terminal 5 at London Heathrow and are free to browse the stores. They have the standard duty free, a Harry Potter shop, bookstore, some luxury clothing brands, Boots (drugstore), some food outlets and a couple of pubs.
Terminal 5, London Heathrow
Image | Tomek Baginski, Unsplash
Going through both London Heathrow and Edinburgh airports when I did, you would never have known there was a pandemic. Both were mobbed with people travelling around the globe (big UK sports weekend and school half-term beginning for many). Everyone was wearing masks, except those medically exempt, and it wasn't a problem.
It took me 1.5 hours to get from the arrival gate to clearing security, both in Terminal 5. If you are flying via London Heathrow on an airline that is not British Airways, you will need to change terminals, so leave more time for that in your flight plans.
Terminal 5, London Heathrow
Image | Tomek Baginski, Unsplash
It’s important to remember that travel rules may change at any time, but this gives you an insight into my recent experience on 11th Feb 2022.
