Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Anyone travelled from Heathrow in the last week or two (to Italy)
MrsWonderland · 05/07/2020 14:55
Has anyone travelled from Heathrow in the last few weeks? How busy was the airport? What additional procedures are there? Are they doing temperature checks outside/inside. Are there queues that are longer than normal?
Also anyone flown BA to Rome. How busy was the flight? We're you able to take hand luggage?
Meredusoleil · 05/07/2020 16:04
Interesting post OP. When re you due to fly? We are booked with BA from Hrw to Pisa for August and we're recently informed of a change of terminal for our return.
Will be following with interest as not travelled yet!
Meredusoleil · 05/07/2020 17:44
Good luck OP! Come back and tell us all about it please.
CushionsandCandles · 05/07/2020 20:30
I'm taking this very flight tomorrow! Will keep you posted but I got a good reassuring email from BA today.
MrsWonderland · 05/07/2020 21:02
Oooh good to hear. Please do update us afterwards. I'd love to know how busy it is at Heathrow. Don't want to arrive too early but equally don't want to have to rush.
Have heard that Italy specifically requires temperature checks and no use of overhead bins onboard so lots of carry-on needs to be checked in but again anything you can tell us tomorrow would be enormously appreciated. Thanks so much
MrsWonderland · 05/07/2020 21:03
(And obviously very interested in how busy/full the flight was)
Safe travels. Hope it all goes smoothly.
BG2015 · 06/07/2020 06:35
Manchester Airport and encouraging travellers to book free security slots so that you can go through on your own.
There's also the option to,pay £5 for priority so not sure what the difference is.
notimagain · 06/07/2020 07:28
From what I've seen queuing etc at T5 is a bit unpredictable ATM.
Last week there was still very little open in the way of shops/food outlets, certainly airside - that might start improving slowly.
AFAIK there's no ban on hand baggage - standard rules still apply.
It might just be a bit busier this week so I'd also be very interested to hear CushionsandCandles update.
Meredusoleil · 06/07/2020 07:32
Apparently its the Italian authorities that have banned hand luggage!
Sgtmajormummy · 06/07/2020 07:45
I’ve just looked at the information from the Italian Flight Authority ENAC which is not applicable to BA.
Hand luggage can only be small enough to fit under the seat. Anything larger will be put in the hold. Overhead locker use does not allow social distancing as people jostle for room while they stow or remove luggage.
Travelers WILL ALL have temperature checks and fill out a form, preferably online, stating they are CV free. If they fail the temperature check or give CV risk answers they will (IMO) have to self isolate, download the app and go on the register of infected individuals.
Meredusoleil · 06/07/2020 08:21
Why is it not applicable to BA? Surely it can be enforced from the Italian side at least?
Sgtmajormummy · 06/07/2020 08:24
ENAC is the authority for Italian registered airlines, so Alitalia etc.
British Airways will follow British guidelines.
My last paragraph is for all travelers into Italy.
MrsWonderland · 06/07/2020 09:22
Indeed. On the BA site it says that hand luggage needs to fit under the seat in front or will have to be checked in.
notimagain · 06/07/2020 10:30
On the BA site it says that hand luggage needs to fit under the seat in front or will have to be checked in.
Whereabouts? This is a cut and paste from the BA updated FAQs on their website:
www.britishairways.com/en-fr/information/the-ba-experience/welcome-onboard-faqs#onboard
Q: Can you use the overhead lockers to store your hand baggage/items?
A: Yes, however we ask you to remove any items that you may need during the flight to minimise your movement. We would ask you to stow your hand baggage underneath the seat in front of you, if you are able to.
In any event I know people who have travelled to non-Italian destinations in the last few days on BA short haul, with hand baggage, and AFAIK and they have been able to use the overhead lockers.
Meredusoleil · 06/07/2020 10:58
It's just an Italian thing from what I have been reading.
MrsWonderland · 06/07/2020 11:00
In the Coronavirus section there is a section specifically called"what are the new rules for customers travelling to Italy
"
CushionsandCandles · 06/07/2020 11:52
Heathrow to Rome this morning on BA.
All good, felt very safe.
Alcohol gel and cleaners everywhere within the airport
Security a breeze as spookily quiet
Only half the shops were open (Mulberry was so clearly all is good on the planet....
)
Hand luggage on plane has to fit under seat
Several temperature checks both ends
Hand wipe and gel given to you on the plane
Crisps, biscuits and water in plastic bag during flight
Short walks both ends as given parking space close to terminal
All calm
Slightly more chaotic at Italian end- especially the car hire queue!
CushionsandCandles · 06/07/2020 11:54
Oh and obviously a mask has to be work both on the terminal and on the flight!
notimagain · 06/07/2020 12:20
In the Coronavirus section there is a section specifically called"what are the new rules for customers travelling to Italy
Ahh, thank you.
MrsWonderland · 06/07/2020 12:23
Thank you SO much for coming back to update. Incredibly useful. Dreading car hire pick up 😬
How early were you at the airport?
CushionsandCandles · 06/07/2020 13:17
We got to LHR 75 minutes before take off. Only short stay open so very quick from car to terminal although pricey!
Pret is open if that useful info.
Italian car hire chaotic- Avis has lost several people's bookings but that another story.
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