bats

Yep, AIr Canada to Heathrow next Sunday. Currently deciding how far ahead to arrive at Pearson, Almost all the flights are delayed too so this is going to be an exercise in patience, something I don't have much of.

Apologies for the messed up title to this thread, my chunky fingers have a mind of their own. Perhaps a mod could tidy it up please?

BristolUK

Bon voyage

I always think that's strange as it suggests a ship.

scrubbedexpat142

As does airliner!

Jerseygirl

6 hr delay for arrivals today at Pearson. Passengers are often kept on the plane for several hours before being allowed into the terminal.

Gozit

Wish you a safe trip back to the UK bats. I'm sure no matter the delays at least what comes after the air travel part will be a good trip!

I am thinking routing for my next trip back to Malta (if I go) will be DTW-IAD-IST-MLA on Turkish, to avoid the delays both at YYZ and at EU airports.

bats

I know, it's grim. I'm resigned to having to wait on the plane as at least I'll be sitting down. I'm concernaed about queuing for a long time as my hips and back will scream in agony . Where did you get the delay time?
Thanks for fixing the title

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm excited to see my mum after almost 3 years. My original plan was to go in the fall but god knows what will happen in that time so Im going now while i can. I looked into all kinds of routes for my trip and flying to and from Montreal was looking good but the VIA rail connections weren't there.

Jerseygirl

do you have NEXUS/GlobalEntry? That way you jump the security and immigration lines

Twitcher1958

We flew out of Pearson mid May and returned on Saturday. On neither day did we experience anything worse than usual although we only had hand luggage on our return which probably helped. We were held on the plane for a short while, probably 10-15 minutes, but people with connections were allowed off straight away.
In the arrivals hall, we joined a fast moving long snaking queue through to border control, with only a few minutes stationary wait at the end.
For both Heathrow and Pearson, we got to the airport 4 hours before flight time, for peace of mind, although we were fortunate and didn’t really need it but I’d advise getting there that sort of time if you can.
Staff at both airports were extremely helpful and friendly.

Jerseygirl

Good to know. Hopefully Bats will have the same good experience. Over half term holiday my daughter’s friend flew from Pearson, they arrived 5 hours before the flight was due to leave. They made they flight.

Good luck Bats.

Gozit

I had the same experience, it was more disastrous on the departure trip for me (delayed 3hrs at YYZ causing me to misconnect.) Coming back, everything was mostly smooth aside from a 1.5hr delay in AMS, which actually aided in making my connection and having time for a bite to eat, like you smooth experience on arrival in YYZ, except AC had sent my luggage to Turkey instead of Toronto .... they also lost it on the way down too, so I had to deal with delayed baggage both directions. Just bad luck I guess, probably the worst travel experience I have had in a long time, both in terms of the actual trip (To see my grandpa for the final time, never an easy trip when a loved one is ill as i'm sure many can relate to on here) and the flights to and from in terms of delays and lost luggage.

Twitcher1958

Our flight back on Saturday actually landed about 40 minutes early.
However, AC are obviously used to explaining delays at present because I received an email giving the revised flight information, apologizing and saying the ‘reason for the flight disruption was being investigated’!

bats

I hope I'm lucky with the lines. No Nexus, I applied some time ago but haven't heard a thing since. I'm going to play the little old lady card I think but i'm sure there are many other little old ladies there. I see there's a rail strike on the day I return so I'm hoping to stay at a friend's nearby the airport the night before.

scrubbedexpat142

Hey, we don't want any riots!

Jingsamichty

Not sure what your onward travel plans comprise once you've arrived in the UK but be aware that there are national rail and tube strikes on 21, 23 and 25 June - basically all rail travel will be massively disrupted for that week.

Enjoy your travels nonetheless.

Paul_Shepherd

You will have to let us know how you get on... I am toying with the idea of getting and Air Canada flight to heathrow for Christmas this year... I too now have very little patience when it comes to line ups of any kind.....

I flew out to Halifax from Pearson weekend before last.... it was fine going, but had a 12 hour delay coming back into Pearson.