Heathrow Airport (LHR) passenger rights
Practical preparation for a delay, cancellation or missed connection involving London. Start with the complete ticketed journey and operating airline—not the airport name alone.
LHR · Practical airport guide
LHR: connections and disruption help
Heathrow's crucial distinction is between a protected airside connection and two flights you booked separately. The terminal-transfer route, baggage collection and border formalities can differ even when both tickets say LHR.
Follow the connection route for your booking
On a through booking, use the purple Flight Connections signs after leaving the aircraft. Check the onward flight's terminal and gate before taking a transfer bus: being in Terminal 5 does not mean every Terminal 5 departure is beside the arrivals gate. Ask the transfer desk to check the new boarding pass if disruption has changed your airline or terminal.
Self-transfer and overnight choices
Heathrow tells passengers with separate bookings to collect their baggage and check in again. Check UK entry requirements before planning this landside transfer or accepting a hotel outside the secure area. The public terminal-transfer guide is different from the airside connecting-passenger route. Do not assume a rail connection between terminals removes the need for check-in, security and boarding deadlines.
A London airport change is a different journey
A replacement departing LGW, STN, LTN or LCY requires a ground journey to another airport. Ask who arranges that journey, where your luggage will be delivered and whether the revised connection is confirmed before accepting. Save the original LHR terminal, replacement airport code, transfer instructions and time you reached the replacement check-in desk; a screenshot saying only “London” will not explain the extra journey.
Official airport and airline guidance
Sources checked on . Recheck live airport and airline instructions for your travel date, terminal, gate and transfer.
Departing from LHR
A journey departing Heathrow Airport normally starts with UK261 coverage, whatever the operating airline's nationality. Compensation still depends on the disruption, final-arrival delay, notice, rerouting and cause.
Arriving at LHR
For a flight arriving at LHR from outside the UK, check whether the operator is a UK or EU airline. A UK destination alone does not cover every foreign airline; a UK operator can also bring certain EU-bound journeys within UK rules.
Reviewed routes involving LHR
Preliminary guidance, not legal advice or a compensation guarantee. Check your booking and official sources.