LHR · London · Terminal T5
British Airways Check-in at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways departs from Terminal T5 at London Heathrow Airport. Online check-in opens 24h before departure.
British Airways check-in rules at LHR
Step-by-step at London Heathrow Airport
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Check in online
Open the British Airways app or website 24 hours before departure. Save the boarding pass to your phone wallet.
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Arrive at Terminal T5
British Airways flights at LHR depart only from Terminal T5. Allow 120 minutes from arrival to gate.
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Drop off bags at T5A main hall, automated bag-drop islands
Bag-drop 3 hours before departure (long-haul) / 90 minutes (short-haul), closes 60 minutes before international, 45 minutes before short-haul. Self-service kiosks available.
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Clear security
Submit your wait time on the airport page above to help others. Standard liquids rule: 100 ml in a single transparent bag.
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Walk to gate T5A gates A1–A23 (short-haul, US), T5B gates B30–B49 (long-haul), T5C gates C50–C66 (long-haul)
Allow 5–25 minutes (T5A) / 15–30 minutes (T5B/T5C via underground train) from security to your gate. Boarding starts 30 minutes (short-haul) / 45 minutes (long-haul) before departure; gate closes 20 minutes before.
Boarding British Airways at LHR
Terminal T5 notes
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Typical gates
British Airways flights typically depart from gates T5A gates A1–A23 (short-haul, US), T5B gates B30–B49 (long-haul), T5C gates C50–C66 (long-haul).
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Walk time
Expect 5–25 minutes (T5A) / 15–30 minutes (T5B/T5C via underground train) from security to the furthest gate.
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Eat & shop
T5 has extensive duty-free, Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food, Wagamama, Caviar House. Most upscale shopping at LHR.
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Lounges
Concorde Room (First only), Galleries First Lounge (First + OneWorld Emerald), Galleries Club Lounge (Club + OneWorld Sapphire), Elemis Spa.
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Family / accessibility
Family priority lane at T5A security. Stroller drop at gate. Children's play area near T5C gates.
Known issues at LHR with British Airways
BA only at T5 — codeshares may be elsewhere
Problem: BA-marketed flights operated by partners (American at T3, Iberia at T5, Qatar at T4) check in at the operating airline's terminal.
Solution: Check 'Operated by' on your booking. T5 is exclusively BA + Iberia.
US-bound APIS data needed
Problem: Flights to US blocked at check-in until passport, ESTA, US destination address are entered.
Solution: Use 'Manage My Booking' on ba.com 24h+ before. The BA app handles passport scanning fastest.
Estimate your EU 261 compensation
Flights to/from the EU, delayed 3+ hours or cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, are eligible for €250–€600 in compensation. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds: