Flying Internationally: Immigration when you change planes?

[skoi]

Sorry, stupid questions, and something I should know since we've flown internationally before.

We're flying from Barcelona back to the US, looking at Brit Air through London. Do we need to clear immigration at Heathrow? I remember flying back from Kazakhstan through Germany and we didn't, though we did have to go through security. That was several years ago, though.

Also, an 1 hr 45 minutes, is that enough time nowadays between flights.

Thanks.
Julie

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think so. I flew India-Frankfurt-Dulles last year. Changing planes in Frankfurt was like changing planes in the US. I did have to go through security because I changed terminals, but it was just regular security like in the US (actually less, they didn't make me take my shoes off). We didn't have to fillout immigration forms for Germany. When we arrived at Dulles, we had to have the US immigration form and went through customs.

 

[skoi]

Thanks. That's how I remembered it. Just wanted to make sure.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

It should be similar at LHR as long as the flight in from BCN and the flight out to the United States are in the same Terminal. If there is a terminal change then there is likely a special bus that keeps you within the security zone while switching terminals. I assume you're not connecting to MCO since those flights operate out of Gatwick.

BobK/Orlando

 

[NotUrsula]

LHR does not have US immigration preclearance. You will go through Customs, Immigration and the USDA screen at your first US arrival airport. If that isn't your home airport, remember not to buy any duty-free liquids -- you will only lose them at TSA at your US connecting airport, as you cannot have them in carryons.

AFAIK, the only European airport that currently has Preclearance is Shannon in Ireland, and Dublin is scheduled to get it sometime this year.

 

[skoi]

Thanks all. That's what I thought.

My only worry is making it to the connection in 1 hr 45 if there are delays, etc.

Still looking into other flights with longer connections.

I haven't flown out of Heathrow for over 25 years. How are the places to eat, etc? Hopefully more varied than US airports?

Thanks again.
Julie

 

[Flossbolna]

You will leave the Schengen area (most of continental Europe is one area for immmigration purposes) in Barcelona and they ought to check your passport upon leaving spain (but this never creates long lines). In Heathrow you will most likely just stay within the international part of the airport so you will not really enter the UK. Therefore no immigration or customs.

But it might depend on which terminal you arrive and depart from at Heathrow. Do you know that? I have never connected through Heathrow since they opened Terminal 5 and if you are going through there, things are supposed to be much better than they used to be before. But getting from one terminal to the other can be a lot of hassle and rather time consuming. So I would try to find out about this beforehand!