British Airways - terminal changes

From the start of the winter schedule on 30th October, British Airways operated flights to and from several shorthaul destinations will be moving terminals at London Heathrow.

Moving from T3 to T5:
Barcelona
Madrid
(NB: British Airways codeshare flights to/from Madrid operated by Iberia will continue to operate from London Heathrow Terminal 3)
 
Moving from T5 to T3:
Bucharest
Budapest
Larnaca
Prague
Warsaw

INDIAN VISA: ONLINE APPLICATION

Visa application for India should now be made online at vfsglobal.co.uk. In addition, the Indian government requires that all passengers arriving from the UK complete a "Health Screening card" (for Swine flu) and present it to Indian immigration on arrival: part1 | part2 (pdf documents, open in new tab/window)

BRITISH AIRWAYS - 2nd PIECE OF HAND BAGGAGE DIMENSIONS

British Airways are introducing clearer guidelines for hand baggage. This is to ensure when customers choose to take two bags in the aircraft cabin these can be accommodated comfortably.
From 15th March, BA will introduce dimensions for the second piece of hand baggage – 45cms x 36cms x 20cms – these measurements ensure your bag, which should be a laptop carry case, briefcase or personal handbag, can be accommodated under the seat in front.
Should your second piece of hand baggage exceed the dimensions, you will be asked to check one of your items of hand baggage into the aircraft hold and you may be subject to an excess baggage fee.
Your first piece of hand baggage is unaffected by this clarification. The standard-sized bag remains unchanged as no more than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including the handle, pockets and wheels.
Due to current restrictions, you can only take one piece of hand baggage onboard flights to the United States when travelling in World Traveller or World Traveller Plus. Customers travelling in First and Club World are permitted two pieces of hand baggage as standard. If you are an Executive Club Gold or Silver member travelling in any cabin you are now permitted two pieces of baggage.

TERMINAL CHANGES

The following British Airways flights will be moving terminals at LHR airport from 30th October 2011.
 
Flights to and from Barcelona will use LHR Terminal 5 from this date.
Flights to and from Larnaca will use LHR Terminal 3 from this date.
Flights to and from Bucharest will use LHR Terminal 3 from this date.
Flights to and from Budapest will use LHR Terminal 3 from this date.
Flights to and from Prague will use LHR Terminal 3 from this date.

BA LAUNCHES MOBILE PHONE CHECK-IN

British Airways has launched remote check in service, allowing travellers 'on the go’ to check in for flights wherever they may be, via their mobile handsets. The service is quick, free and available in 11 languages (including Japanese) - without any need to download accompanying software.
Logging on to www.ba2go.com using any mobile device with wireless connectivity (such as BlackBerrys and mobile phones), customers can access the BA timetable in real time, as well as select seats and check-in individuals, groups and families for departure or return flights.
The check in service offers full seat change and seat selection functions and the ability to enter passport information – everything that can be done on ba.com apart from printing the boarding card. At the end of check-in customers  will be presented with the option to collect the boarding pass at the airport from a kiosk or desk, email the boarding pass, or fax the boarding pass.
Chris Carmichael, British Airways innovation and planning manager said: "We are proud to be the first UK airline to offer a remote check-in service in 11 languages. We recognise that our customers have busy lifestyles, and by offering greater accessibility we hope to enhance their overall travel experience."
British Airways news

EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD

Currently 28 million Britons have an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However, many of the originally issued cards are now expiring.
Anyone travelling with an out-of-date EHIC is putting themselves at risk when travelling in Europe as they will not be covered for basic medical care.
The EHIC, which replaced the E111 form four years ago, entitles travellers to reduced cost or free state-provided healthcare in most European countries if they fall ill or have an accident whilst abroad, but only if it is in date.
Recent research by the Department of Health worryingly revealed that over 52% of Brits were not even aware that the EHIC has a shelf life. Paul Siddell, Overseas Healthcare Programme Manager at the Department of Health says: “Many Brits are putting themselves at unnecessary risk by not checking their EHIC expiry date. If you’re travelling in Europe it’s vital that you carry an EHIC, as well as comprehensive travel insurance. If travellers find that EHIC’s are out-of-date, it is very easy to renew them online or over the phone and they will be delivered within ten days. Card holders can renew up to six months in advance of expiry so we are urging people to check their EHICs now.”
To renew or obtain an EHIC, log on to www.nhs.uk/healthcareabroad or call 0845 606 2030.
For further information call the EHIC enquiries line on 0845 605 0707.

ESTA TO THE USA - MANDATORY

US Regulations
UK travellers planning to visit the United States under the visa waiver scheme must ensure they comply with the U.S requirement for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
Applying for ESTA online
Travellers are required to apply for authorisation to travel under the scheme before arriving at the airport.
This is mandatory for all passport holders from 34 countries currently participating in the visa-waiver scheme, including UK passport holders.
You are required to obtain ESTA authorisation before arriving at the airport: apply online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
The application process may take up to approximately 15-20 minutes and authorisation is normally granted immediately but may take up to 72 hours. We recommend that you apply for authorisation at the time of booking or at least 72 hours before your flight, to ensure that you are able to travel.
Once granted, authorisation is valid for two years. You do not need to have firm plans to travel to apply for authorisation: the airline, boarding city and staying address in the USA are optional fields in the application. Bear in mind that if you do complete the travel details fields, before each new trip to the US, you will need to update your travel plans and staying address details via the ESTA website.
This requirement for approved authorisation is in addition to the requirement for all customers to submit APIS data.
Travellers will still need to complete the green I-94W non-immigrant visa waiver form onboard their flight (this is expected to be phased out during 2010).
Travellers with a resident permit ‘green card’ or travelling on a visa do not need to apply for authorisation as they are not travelling under the visa-waiver programme.
For more information, go to https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, or www.visitusa.org.uk

 

TERMINAL 5

Which terminal do I depart from?
Information from British Airways

Facilities
Latest information on all facilities of Terminal 5 from www.ba.com/T5.