I have just under 3hrs for my connectling flight to Madrid in London Heathrow, with all the new security measures etc, is that enough time? Whats the new security measure like there now?

[ 12-13-2001: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

All I can tell you is my one experience at Grief'row...er...Heathrow: Three hours is cutting it close...

Way back in the late 80's I was at Deathrow...er...Heathrow, and had everything I owned, carried or had ingested, carefully scrutinized by security. Mind you that this was my first overseas flight, so, since I didn't know what to expect, this was quite a departure (sorry :D) from the normal US domestic flights of that time. It was nice to feel safe, but man, the security checkpoint clearance took at least two to two and one-half hours!

Bring a book...

Yikes! We have only 2 hours and I had hoped to do a little shopping! If you've been cleared in NY and are connecting, don't they cut you a break?

I think you'll be okay. I was there over the summer, and I only had a couple of hours. My friend and I ended up sitting around for at least an hour!

Chica369, I almost always fly via Heathrow with 1 and a half to 3 hours there. They don't cut anyone a break. Security is strict, and everyone has to go through metal detectors between flights. (The machines are more sensitive than most. I've been frisked twice - apparently because of buckles.)I always see and hear people try to cut through with a connecting flight as an excuse, but it doesn't work. That said, I've never missed a connection. An hour and a half is just right to go through security and also change terminals, which you have to do if you're flying in from America and going on to Spain.

What I don't know is if the security measures are any stricter since 9-11, because I haven't been there since. I would imagine they were already strict enough.

Diana writes:
<< ... I've been frisked twice - apparently because of buckles. ...>>

Maybe the Security people like you, Diana.

<< That said, I've never missed a connection. An hour and a half is just right to go through security and also change terminals, which you have to do if you're flying in from America and going on to Spain. >>

We're missing something here. Beckham will come to LHR from the Irish Republic, another EU member country, and not from the U.S. He won't have to clear Immigration & Customs. Any delay he encounters will entail picking up his checked luggage, checking in for his connecting flight and going thru Security. Barring unforeseen circumstances, 3-hours should be more than enough time, even if he does have to change Terminals.

I have been traveling a lot lately, and I have allowed 2 hours for International and 1 hour for domestic and I have been fine. It has taken me about 15-30 minutes to get through all the new security. But wear clean socks, they may ask you to take off your shoes.

roses...

Just did Heathrow-Madrid, and Barcelona-Heathrow-Dulles. Security did not take long at all - the lines moved very fast. An hour and a half works just fine.