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British Airways First Wing and Virgin’s Upper Class Wing security closed from Tuesday

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The security channel in the British Airways First Wing at Heathrow Terminal 5 will close from tomorrow, 9th January, for 3-4 months.

There has been no official announcement from the airport or BA that tomorrow is the day (we knew it would happen at some point in January) but it was confirmed to my wife at 5am this morning when she went through.

This shouldn’t be a surprise, of course. The UK Government has mandated that airports must switch to the new ‘keep your stuff in your bags’ / ‘bring all the liquid you want’ security scanners by June.

Although, according to recent press reports, there is no chance of most airports hitting the June target ….

British Airways First Wing security at Terminal 5 to close for four months

It seems that the entire First Wing security area will be remodelled at the same time, which partly explains the time frame. However, with 24/7 working possible and no airside security constraints, it seems long.

There is apparently no requirement to reinforce the floor to cope with the weight of the new machines – something which is proving an issue elsewhere.

The check-in area in the First Wing will remain open for qualifying passengers, primarily British Airways Executive Club Gold members and ticketed First Class passengers.

You will then need to leave the Wing and head to South Security. There is a dedicated lane here for those who would qualify to use the First Wing which looks like this:

Virgin Atlantic is planning a similar closure

The Upper Class Wing is the Virgin Atlantic private check-in area at Heathrow Terminal 3. This area allows you to be dropped off by car directly outside the door.

If you arrive by public transport, you need to check in at Zone A in the main Terminal 3 area but can then take a lift up to the Upper Class Wing private security channel.

We wrote a HfP article here which explains how the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Wing works.

Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Wing security

The private security lane in the Upper Class Wing will also be closed from Tuesday. It will re-open in late February with brand new security scanners. 7-8 weeks does make the 3-4 month closure of BA’s First Wing look a little long.

You can still use the Wing for checking in but will need to go into the main part of the terminal to clear security. However, from 22nd to 28th February the entire Wing will be closed.

Check the Upper Class Wing page of the Virgin Atlantic website for current updates.

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Category

British Airways and Avios, Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club

Comments (67)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Tiger of ham says:
    8 Jan8 January 15:22

    Get those Gold tags on so people know to part way for the golds to get thru security with out too much stress.

    It’s going to be a difficult few months.

  • TB says:
    8 Jan8 January 18:09

    Talking of gold tags – Is this legit?

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256327038443

    • Rob says:
      8 Jan8 January 18:30

      Almost certainly – it’s a Gold Guest List selling their Gold nomination (at some personal risk to their account).

      • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:
        8 Jan8 January 18:38

        With some judicious planning and some actual flying you can get gold for less than £3.5k.

        I’d be surprised if BA Fraud dept didn’t take an interest in listings like that one.

        • NorthernLass says:
          8 Jan8 January 19:23

          If all my double TPs post this summer, I’ll have got it for considerably less than that! But counting chickens and everything, lol …

        • Rob says:
          8 Jan8 January 20:09

          I struggle to see value at that level. Even if you are flying every 2 weeks in Eco short haul and you get 3 years out of it (inc the Silver year) it is still £40 per flight.

    • C says:
      8 Jan8 January 19:16

      I’m not immediately clear on what the second image of 10 x Gold coins on top of a mobile phone number is all about though…

    • NorthernLass says:
      8 Jan8 January 19:24

      That is hilarious – it’s even being offered with 24 months’ interest free credit 😂

    • Christian says:
      8 Jan8 January 19:27

      Snitch

    • His Holyness says:
      8 Jan8 January 20:50

      An excellent rebate on scheming TPs.

    • Bernard says:
      8 Jan8 January 22:11

      V much not kosher for the vendor.
      It’s a breach of exec club rules so vendor is putting their membership at very high risk, especially now ba97.com members are rumoured to be under investigation for lounge access rules being breached.

      • His Holyness says:
        9 Jan9 January 03:08

        Loose lips sink ships. Those who somehow resist the urge to pathetically boast and show off to other equally pathetic people have nothing to worry about.

      • ADS says:
        9 Jan9 January 11:23

        i didn’t realise that ba97 users ever offered lounge invites … i must be doing something wrong !

  • Jonathan says:
    8 Jan8 January 18:54

    We fly BA twice a year to Atlanta and when there is a first class cabin we will use it especially for the outbound as we like the Concorde room at T5. We book usually well in advance and next fly at the beginning of April 2024. The original ticket showed departure from T5 but in the last few weeks it has changed to T5. I wonder whether this is due to the scanner changes. Having spoken to a First agent about this I was told that T5 may be available when we do fly. What are the chances!

    • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:
      8 Jan8 January 21:38

      BA won’t move a flight to T3 for something like this.

  • Thomas. says:
    8 Jan8 January 19:10

    So please can anyone flying Virgin UC in next fee days update….
    Am flying Tuesday 16th so please advise if worth the usual drop off or just go to main terminal… Thanks.

    • Rob says:
      8 Jan8 January 20:08

      If you’re being driven and checking a bag I’d do it. If you are on hand baggage then main terminal may be quicker.

    • Arnie says:
      11 Jan11 January 19:40

      I’ve just checked in at Virgin – well I checked in at home but walked into the Term 3 Virgin area – the lift is being refurbished but they walked us down to the escalator and it drops you right into the private security channel no problem. That’s as at 1600 Thursday the 11 th. So it’s working today and happily no queues .

  • Track says:
    9 Jan9 January 04:23

    Typical of Heathrow airport and its security: punish the pesky customer.

    Why he or she wants to fly at all, its a security risk for us.

    • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:
      9 Jan9 January 08:06

      “Punish” ???

      Get a grip. This changeover has been mandated by the government and so LHR is installing the new machines. Just like the vast majority of other airports are in the country.

      It’s not an overnight job and once installed it will actually be better for passengers,

  • Ryan says:
    9 Jan9 January 06:55

    Going through Virgin T3 this morning; Upper class wing = closed, rerouted to UC security via an escalator

    Staff confirmed it closed this morning

    • Rob says:
      9 Jan9 January 07:57

      The whole Wing closed? You weren’t even allowed to get out of your car or check your luggage?

      • thomas says:
        9 Jan9 January 08:13

        Looks like main terminal then, dropping bags…

      • Ryan says:
        9 Jan9 January 10:01

        Okay I was told a lie by someone at the start, the wing is still open but the separate connection to the security is diverted

    • thomas says:
      9 Jan9 January 08:43

      With or without checked luggage ?

    • James W says:
      9 Jan9 January 18:07

      Is this a one off given the site states

      Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class Wing will be temporarily closed between 22nd and 28th February 2024 for essential improvements. During the temporary closure, passengers will be advised to use the Terminal 3 departures drop off and check in desks, before being directed to Heathrow Fast Track security on level 1.

  • ADS says:
    9 Jan9 January 11:31

    I’m sure the disruption will be worth it …

    Despite living in west London, I now happily travel to LCY because their new scanning machines make the security experience so much better than having to empty your hand luggage …

    Although my (very ripe) banana did set off the LCY machine a couple of week ago … but a quick drugs swipe … and I was on my way!

    • mark says:
      10 Jan10 January 10:31

      “Although my (very ripe) banana did set off the LCY machine a couple of week ago ”

      The best HfP comments innuendo of 2024 so far 😀

  • Bernard says:
    9 Jan9 January 16:55

    Amazing.
    A temporary change that might add a few minutes to going through security and it’s the end of the world for some here.
    I suspect it’s more about no longer being able to feel ‘important’ than any time saved. It’s is snowflake season I suppose.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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