LO231 From Belgium, joined Sep 2004, 2299 posts, RR: 25 Posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2619 times:
Hi,
I will be flying to MCO on BA, and since there's no connection from BRU to LGW, I'd have to change airports..
Is it easy? Is 4 hours enough? Which bus do I take between the two airports?
Also, I see that my flight LGW-MCO doesn't have a First class, and since I'm in Club World, what's the difference with the 772 BA have WITH the First Class on them?
Lounges any good in Gatwick?
Thanks for any info!
BTW. Return is from MIA, so no problems there!
Regards,
LO231
Got both LO 788 frames already, next SN BRU-VCE-BRU
LO231 From Belgium, joined Sep 2004, 2299 posts, RR: 25 Reply 2, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2599 times:
Quoting BDKLEZ (Reply 1): Quoting LO231 (Thread starter):
I'd have to change airports..
Don't forget to pick up your bags at LHR.
I know that, I book the flights, I am a travel agent, and it's an official BA transfer, I'm just not familiar with the practical surface thing between the two airports...
Regards,
LO231
Got both LO 788 frames already, next SN BRU-VCE-BRU
PA110 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1950 posts, RR: 26 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2593 times:
Although the regulation minimum connect time is 3 hours, I wouldn't be comfortable with anything less than 4 to 5 hours given the traffic on the M25.
I've done this airport switch a couple of times, and it can be a nail biter, when you're stuck in a logjam that isn't moving.
LO231 From Belgium, joined Sep 2004, 2299 posts, RR: 25 Reply 5, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2583 times:
Quoting BDKLEZ (Reply 3): Quoting LO231 (Reply 2):
and it's an official BA transfer,
If that's the case, then ask BA.
i'm sorry, didn't want to sound like this, it's an official connecting transit time, when you ask availability BRU-MCO...
BA has nothing to do with the surface transport, I guess they'd only be helpful if the flight from BRU was delayed or something and you'd miss your connection.....
PS. And thanks for the input, much appreciated.
Regards,
LO231
PS2. What companies do offer busses between LHR and LGW? Estimate costs?
Got both LO 788 frames already, next SN BRU-VCE-BRU
NetworkDoc From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2005, 77 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2566 times:
Quoting LO231 (Reply 5): What companies do offer busses between LHR and LGW? Estimate costs?
This is from the website www.baa.com (link wouldn't work, so have copied this from site):
By Coach
Heathrow – Gatwick
The National Express 700 runs every 15-20 minutes in the morning, from outside Terminals 1, 3 and 4. It takes approximately 70 minutes to Gatwick's North and South Terminals. The cost is £17.50. After 12:00 the service operates every 30 minutes until 22:30. Tickets can be purchased at the Bus and Coach information desks located in Terminals 1, 3 and 4 or on the bus itself; subject to availability. The coaches pick up at the arrivals level of Terminals 1, 3 and 4 and set down at the departures level. For Terminal 2, coaches pick up and set down at the departures level.
National Express coaches 707, 717, 727 and 797 also operate half hourly to Gatwick and the journey takes approximately 70 minutes. Coaches run from the central bus station at Heathrow for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and from outside Terminal 4 arrivals. They set down outside Gatwick North and South Terminals. Adult fares are £17.50 single. Tickets can be purchased from the travel centre at the central bus station or from the Bus and Coach information desk on the forecourt of Terminal 4 arrivals.
Not sure if you are aware (probably, as you are an agent), but they can check you through all the way from BRU-MCO, i.e. you can get your boarding passes for both sectors and only have to collect your luggage at LHR and re-check at Fast Bag Drop at LGW. At least that way if you are a little late getting to LGW, you will only be bound by minimum baggage acceptance times (usually 30 mins) and not pax check-in acceptance (can be 60 mins if the flight is busy).
LeonB1985 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 2559 times:
Your best bet would be to try National Express (website here). Cost for a standard single is £18, although looking on their website, there do seem to be some offers for £9 if you book in advance.
Journey time Terminal 4 into Paddington 23mins
Journey time Paddington to Victoria railway stations 15-23mins
Journey time Victoria to Gatwick 30mins.
A bit around the houses, and a bit expensive at about £28 but at least the train won't get stuck on the notorious M25 and it should be painless enough if you're travelling off-peak. I've done it with 2 young kids in tow.
[Edited 2005-10-13 01:03:16]
Trespassers will be shot; survivors will be shot again!
LO231 From Belgium, joined Sep 2004, 2299 posts, RR: 25 Reply 9, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 2550 times:
Quoting BDKLEZ (Reply 8): I've done it with 2 young kids in tow.
And with luggage?
Most admireable, but isn't it the same time journey as with the nonstop bus?
Quoting NetworkDoc (Reply 6): Not sure if you are aware (probably, as you are an agent), but they can check you through all the way from BRU-MCO, i.e. you can get your boarding passes for both sectors and only have to collect your luggage at LHR and re-check at Fast Bag Drop at LGW. At least that way if you are a little late getting to LGW, you will only be bound by minimum baggage acceptance times (usually 30 mins
No, I didn't know, that kind of information isn't spelled out to travel agents, we are supposed to KNOW this by heart.
You learn best by the experience..
LIEK A CUSTOMER OF MINE LAST WEEK..... Flying BR-LHR-BOM and back on Jet Airways, nobody at 9W knows that BD refuses to check the bags to a final destination if it's not a BD one!!! Outrageous!
I'VE CONTACTED 9W about it already. 9W in BOM says to the passengers: "We'll check your bags to LHR, then you collect them and check in for BRU, bmi doesn't interline baggage with us... What's that all about? But anyway, thaat's another thread..
regards,
LO231
Got both LO 788 frames already, next SN BRU-VCE-BRU
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 10, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 2541 times:
Quoting LO231 (Reply 9): Quoting BDKLEZ (Reply 8):
I've done it with 2 young kids in tow.
And with luggage?
Most admireable, but isn't it the same time journey as with the nonstop bus?
Theoretically, the bus only takes 70 minutes, but at high traffic times, you can sit on the M25 for hours. The Train connections are guarenteed
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
My wife was there too, so she ensured that we had two cases and not the minimalist one that I would've opted for!
Quoting LO231 (Reply 9): but isn't it the same time journey as with the nonstop bus?
About the same yes, and can't discount every eventuality obviously, but the chances of disruption are a lot less likely. All it takes is one accident on the road and you're potentially already up the creek without a paddle before you even get to LGW. I like options that are a little more certain than others, even if it will cost a little bit more, but as I say you can't rule anything out. Railway strikes etc for example.
Trespassers will be shot; survivors will be shot again!
BDKLEZ From Ireland, joined Jun 2005, 1735 posts, RR: 16 Reply 14, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2489 times:
Quoting LO231 (Reply 11): What do you think on a Saturday morning, arrival LHR 7.45? Departure Gatwick 11...something...
Possibly, I would still like a full 4 hours from the arrival of the flight to the last bag-drop time for the LGW departure, just to be on the safe side. If it's more than required, you've got time to relax and have a beer instead of rushing, panicking, worrying etc...Happy flying.....
Trespassers will be shot; survivors will be shot again!
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