Do you have to go through immigration for connecting flights Heathrow?

CONNECTING FLIGHTS If your baggage is checked through to your final destination, that's where you clear customs. If you're collecting your baggage and checking in to your next flight yourself, you need to pass through customs at Heathrow.



At London Heathrow in 2026, whether you must pass through immigration depends entirely on your specific flight details. If you are staying "airside" (meaning your baggage is checked through to your final destination and you do not need to change terminals that require a landside transfer), you generally do not pass through UK border control. However, if you must collect your luggage and re-check it, or if your connection involves a terminal change that is not covered by the internal airside shuttle, you will have to clear immigration. A critical update for 2026 is the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement. Starting February 25, 2026, passengers from visa-exempt countries must have a valid ETA even just to transit through Heathrow if they pass through UK border control. It is highly recommended to apply for an ETA at least three days in advance if there is any chance you might need to enter the UK landside during your connection.

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CONNECTING FLIGHTS
If your baggage is checked through to your final destination, that's where you clear customs. If you're collecting your baggage and checking in to your next flight yourself, you need to pass through customs at Heathrow.

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A port-of-entry is the first airport you land at in the US Even if you have a connecting flight, you need to go through the immigration procedure, pick up your luggage, re-check it and get on the next flight.

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Overall, passengers usually have to re-clear security for connecting flights, though there may be some exceptions depending on the airport and flight itinerary. To make this process easier, checking with the airline or airport ahead of time is recommended.

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The recommended layover time for domestic flights is normally one hour. However, as previously stated, you may require longer if your flights are booked with two different airlines, if you are traveling to a very busy airport or if you require special assistance.

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Yes, there might be exceptions, but most often than not the airline won't wait. What you can do is to try to avoid missing your connection. But if you do miss your connection, don't worry, the airline will book you on a new flight for free (if it's an airline-protected connecting flight).

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You will need to go through passport control (and customs if applicable) and then check in again as normal for your connecting flight, so please ensure you have enough time.

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A direct flight is identified by a unique flight number. A transit flight, with a connection, has two distinct flight numbers. A flight that is not direct, or connecting flight, involves a change of aircraft.

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What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

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If you miss your connection booked with the same airline that your were on for your first flight, and the issue is due to a delayed take off or anything else that's in the hands of your airline, it's the airline's responsibility to rebook you on the next available flight.

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When layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.

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If your itinerary was purchased as one ticket (as in: you have only one itinerary and one confirmation number), and the connection time was too short and you miss the second (or third) flight, you can rest easy, no matter what happens. The airline will simply put you onto the next available flight, free of charge.

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Many flights from the United States arrive at Heathrow between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. (local time) each day, so this is when you can expect long lines at immigration. Similarly, each Sunday from 5 p.m. onwards many Brits will be returning from weekends away so there will likely be long waits.

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The Non-EEA immigration waiting time is meant to be 45 minutes or less. In March 2022, Terminal 2 was running at 76.48 per cent efficiency whilst Terminal 3 was running at 76.68 per cent and Terminal 5 at 78.41 per cent.

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Delays at Heathrow, the Daily Mail also reported, have been due to extensions in Border Force shift hours to cope with the increased arrival numbers. Some staff are now forced to work 12 hours each day which has caused an increase in staff calling in sick due to exhaustion.

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