British Airways moving flights from Terminal 3 into Terminal 5 as Iberia and American move out

British Airways is consolidating its Heathrow flights in Terminal 5, with a swathe of routes moving across from Terminal 3.

There is something a little odd about this. The changes are happening quickly – passengers will get just 14 days notice in some cases. It also makes little sense in terms of trying to manage queues and lounge capacity in Terminal 5.

Is British Airways desperately trying to stop its passengers running up huge bills by visiting the superior Cathay Pacific and Qantas lounges in Terminal 3?! Here’s our article on the best airport lounges in Heathrow Terminal 3.

Iberia is moving in the opposite direction. Its Heathrow flights are moving from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 from the same day. It is strongly rumoured that American Airlines will be doing the same.

This is what is happening with British Airways services:

Long haul:

ALL long haul flights in Heathrow Terminal 3 and moving to Heathrow Terminal 5.

This is effective from 12th July.

This includes routes such as:

• Accra
• Austin
• Barbados
• Orlando
• Las Vegas
• Phoenix
• São Paulo / Buenos Aires

Short haul:

The following short haul routes are also due to move across to Terminal 5 on 12th July:

• Algiers
• Brindisi
• Bologna
• Budapest
• Faro
• Krakow
• Ljubljana
• Marseille
• Nuremberg
• Olbia
• Prague
• Pisa
• Split
• Toulouse
• Valencia
• Zagreb

I’m not sure how much is left in Terminal 3, to be honest, although some core routes such as Vienna are staying there. It isn’t clear if any of the routes currently being operated using Finnair aircraft and crew will move to Terminal 5, or if those are staying in Terminal 3.

If you were connecting from a Terminal 3 to Terminal 3 flight, you may need to rebook one of the legs. You will need at least two hours, realistically, to transfer between terminals and to ensure that your baggage makes it across.

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