Slightly unusual scenario. I'm arriving into LHR at 12pm (assuming flight is on time) and then have a flight from LHR at 6pm.

Can I check-in my luggage at First Wing and go to the F Lounge to work from 12pm but then leave at around 4pm to meet some elderly/disabled family travelling with me on the 6pm flight, so that I can help them with their luggage and check-in (I know we can't use the First Wing / F lounge as I can only guest one person; that is fine)?

 

It is possible but not really recommended. leaving airside to get back landside is not trivial in T5 and will require some messing around to reset your Ready to Fly status before you can get back airside.

 

Exactly. You can do it but you don�t want to, and the mess/waste of time to go back in which you�ll impose on your relative will be much more than the help you�ll have brought.

personally with such a long wait I�d just head out.

 

Is this complexity unique to T5, or UK airports in general.

I ask as at BER earlier in the week I went through the automated barrier to security to the left, only to discover fast track was more central. Asked the person on the gate who just opened the out gate for us. At the central security BP didn’t work initially, but it seemed to be one click on keyboard and a scan of the BP to enable me to enter again.

 

Hi,

It certainly is at T5 as BA has ready to fly coded into the boarding pass and when it is scanned for a second time ( if you go in and leave then re enter) it is apparently not a trivial thing to get it updated.
Not sure if if is applicable at other UK airports ( could be at LGW). I think at EDI you could leave and entre as many times as you want ( having to do security each time you go in)

Regards

TBS

 

You might want to check this out carefully before risking it. I am not sure if the boarding card QR code, including on the app, has restricted validity (i.e they are not intended to be used as multiple entry for security reasons) and I am sure you would need to ask a BA or HAL member of staff to escort you back through arrivals, including possibly passport control. I think going airside is intended for those who are actually flying rather than to facilitate access to work in a BA lounge.

 

As far as I know all QR-codes from the airlines are one time use only at each stage of the process.

I have had to leave the departure lounge sometimes for various reasons at several airports (none of them have been British nor BA though). The gate won�t open and you�ll have to explain to the staff what you�re doing and they will note a deviation and you might have to identify yourself.

Two examples I did this was at ARN when I needed to move from one terminal to the other and the airside buses weren�t operating.

Another time I was scanned in by security in Madrid before they realized that my partner didn�t have fast track on her boarding card and I opted to go back out and go through regular security with her. That also included some paper work.

 

I think it's especially complex at London airports due to the shared international/domestic terminals in addition to ready to fly. As others have said, you could do it but it's complex and time consuming. Better off settling down landslide, or indeed in Central London and then checking in together.

 

You could check in your luggage and then head to the T5 Sofitel to work for a few hours before meeting your family members.

 

Is it not possible to get help from BA to ease the way for your relative ?

 

How are you arriving into LHR?

If a domestic arrival could OP not leave through arrivals and maybe wait somewhere else for their relatives?

I plan to do exactly this in Feb to meet them and take them through First Wing.

 

Only if they are disabled and booking of support is required.

 

To me this would appear to be the best solution. Take up residence in the tea bar and have a few cups of tea/coffee/something stronger and work from there. Keep the receipts and put it on expenses. Will be far less complicated and will be quieter than the F Lounge for working.

 

Plus a greater number of tables that are suitable for working on.

 

This too was my first thought. There are quiet areas where you could quite easily get a few hours work done. You would have to pay for lunch if you wanted it (or a sandwich from Marks and Spencer) unlike in the lounge but its something I have done in the past . Head down the escalator and turn right - keep walking past the check in area, the little shop & head towards the club lounge.