Time to kill at Heathrow

[Espada III]

On 18th October between about 3.30pm and 7.30pm I will have time spare to do nothing but hang around Heathrow waiting for a flight to MAN from Terminal 1 at 20:15.

Probably not enough time to get to see friends in NW London, so what entertainment choices do I have in terms of plane spotting from the terminals? Sitting outside would be nice or anything else to do?

(also posted in Spotters)

[davidjohnson6]

Perhaps leave the airport and go to Osterley Park + House ? Takes 12 minutes on the tube from Heathrow

[Skipness One Echo]

I had the same thought when the non English speaking tool from Blackjack blocked my path in the security queue muttering "deodorant??" I cannot stand these muppets, utterly brain dead. Not what you meant though :p

[WHBM]

If you're into spotting etc :

Take bus U3, every 10 minutes from the Central Bus Station, to West Drayton station. Walk round the corner to where you will find a great selection of aviation books and associated items

TAHS Main (http://www.tahs.com/)

[parabellum]

You arrive at 3.30 and don't leave until 7.30, (arriving MAN 8.30?), think I would be looking for a bus or train to MAN and arriving much earlier!:)

[Dairyground]

You arrive at 3.30 and don't leave until 7.30, (arriving MAN 8.30?), think I would be looking for a bus or train to MAN and arriving much earlier!http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/smile.gif

Landing at Heathrow at 15.30, it would be difficult to reach Euston for a train to Manchester much before 17.00. The 17.00 train from Euston is scheduled to arrive at Manchester Piccadilly at 19.07. This is a peak-time service, with a one-way standard class fare of £104. The next few trains, at 20-minute intervals, have the same fare.

BA have flights from both T1 and T5 leaving after 16.30 and arriving in Manchester before 19.00, at fares ranging from £65 to £97. So even if it is necessary to buy a new ticket and abandon the LHR-MAN leg of the original booking, it is still likely to be cheaper and quicker for the OP to go by air than by rail. Bus would probably be cheaper, but would probably not get to manchester earlier than the original flight.

[ConstantFlyer]

Stay airside if you can and find a window with a nice view of the runway. If you have to change terminals, I'd suggest doing that first, then go straight through departures. Bring a snack with you if you can, as everything's expensive.

[beamender99]

If flights are on 27L then get the tube to Hatton Cross
Wave to Concorde rotting at the base.
Then cross the A30 towards Feltham to the Green Man pub.

Go join the spotters at the famous Myrtle Avenue spotters site.
( just cross overthe A30 from the station and walk along the A30 past the filling station.
Maybe walk towards Feltham and get a bite in Tesco's Cafe? .

After typing that in I put 27L Heathrow in Google and got lots of spotter hits
e.g.

Viewing / spotting guide to London Heathrow Airport - Plane Mad (http://www.plane-mad.com/airport-spotting-guides/united-kingdom/london-heathrow-lhr-egll.html)
( includes a map of the sites)

Heathrow: Academy building (http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/facts-and-figures/heathrow-academy)

(The exhibition centre at Heathrow Academy is now closed. However, there is still a covered terrace outside the Academy which offers great views of aircraft taking off and landing. The Academy building is available for conferences and training.
The Heathrow Academy (http://www.pprune.org/about-us/facts-and-figures/heathrow-academy) (formerly the visitor centre) is currently closed during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This facility will re-open in September 2012.

Both statements from the same site .

(Brgds from a motoring site you used to visit)

[Espada III]

Thanks B99 and regards to you (not that you used that name on that site!)

Anyway the reason for the question is that I am attending a conference at the Park Inn Heathrow (just by the Academy) that I thought ended at 17:30 so booked myself on the 20:15 flight home from T1.

I have now discovered that it will end at 15:00. I wonder if BA will let me onto an earlier flight?

[Dannyboy39]

I wouldn't suggest to go airside too early in T1. The food/drink and shopping options on offer aren't exactly T5 standard.

Re: The spotting location at the Heathrow Academy - must be one of the worst spots in the country for plane spotting; there's a load of trees in the way!

[Ancient Observer]

if you can't get an earlier flight, I second the Osterley Park option.

[beamender99]

I second the Osterley Park option. I too love the place but ,UK clocks will have gone back so
Osterley Park and House - Opening times - National Trust (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park/opening-times/#)
does not look so promising .
Also IMO Transport from your meeting place would rule it out.

I wonder if BA will let me onto an earlier flight? I suspect there might be a steep rebooking fee if you are on a cheaper ticket.