Is a 1½ hr layover in London long enough?

LHR · Heathrow · London, United Kingdom
Probably Enough

Yes, 1½ hours is probably enough for a layover at LHR (London).

Comfortable buffer for a cross-terminal transfer with re-screening and moderate queues.
Concourses
4
Max Transit
35m
Avg. Security
20m
Primary Hub
British Airways
Domestic → Domestic
45min
Domestic → International
60min
International → Domestic
60min
International → International
75min
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
If your itinerary is entirely on British Airways within Terminal 5, connections can be genuinely fast since it's a single, well-organized building.
Any connection involving Terminal 4 should be given extra buffer, as it's physically distant and served only by rail or bus shuttle.
Check whether your transfer is 'airside' (no immigration) or requires exiting to landside — Heathrow's transfer routing varies by airline alliance and terminal pairing.
Security queues can be unpredictable at peak times (early morning and evening banks), so don't assume the posted MCT accounts for a bad day.
Use the free inter-terminal transit trains rather than walking whenever offered — distances between T5 and the central terminals are much longer than they look on the map.
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are adjacent and connected by a covered walkway (10-15 minutes on foot). Terminal 5 is linked to the central area by a dedicated driverless transit train (Heathrow Express-style pod), while Terminal 4 is the most remote and requires either the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth line rail link or an inter-terminal bus, both of which involve exiting to landside transfer areas and passing through security again at the new terminal.
Is 1½ hours enough for a layover at Heathrow (LHR)?

Comfortable buffer for a cross-terminal transfer with re-screening and moderate queues.

What is the minimum connection time at LHR?

Minimum connection times at Heathrow: Domestic-to-Domestic is 45 minutes, International-to-International is 75 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 1½ hours connection at LHR on an international flight?

1½ hours clears the 75-minute international minimum connection time at Heathrow, but you should still head directly to your gate. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are adjacent and connected by a covered walkway (10-15 minutes on foot). Terminal 5 is linked to the central area by a dedicated driverless transit train (Heathrow Express-style pod), while Terminal 4 is the most remote and requires either the Heathrow Express/Elizabeth line rail link or an inter-terminal bus, both of which involve exiting to landside transfer areas and passing through security again at the new terminal.

How much time do I need for a layover at LHR?

We recommend at least 1 hour for a comfortable connection at Heathrow. This gives you enough buffer for security (typically 20 minutes) and transit between terminals (up to 35 minutes).

What happens if I miss my connection at LHR?

If you miss a connection, British Airways and most other carriers have transfer desks in the arrival terminal (especially prominent in T5) that can rebook you without needing to collect bags first if you remain airside; if you've been forced landside, use the airline's rebooking desk in the terminal you land in.

AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER