The Simple Trick To Avoid Long Lines At Europe's Busiest Airport
Getting stuck with a never-ending wait as you're going through airport security and passport control is a surefire way to mess up your mood and start your trip on the wrong foot — even more so when all you want to do is soak up the excitement of heading somewhere on holiday.
According to a 2023 report by the luggage storage and travel experts at Bounce, going through security and passport control at some of the most popular U.S. airports — which includes JFK, San Francisco, and Miami International airports — can take anywhere from 36 to 48 minutes of standing around, shuffling forward slowly, and dealing with paperwork. For international jet-setters, the scenario isn't much different — especially if you're planning to fly through Europe's busiest airport, London Heathrow.
Thankfully, TikToker and travel expert @raimeetravel recently shared a solution to all your wait time woes while flying out of London: booking your spot in the line in advance. Yeah, you heard that right — pre-booking your passage through security is finally a reality.
How does the Heathrow Timeslot initiative work?
Launched near the end of 2023, the new Heathrow Timeslot service hopes to help cut down on wait times and assist passengers in getting to where they need a lot faster and hassle-free.
How does it work? The process is fairly simple. First things first, you need to find your specific flight from within the platform. From there, the system will prompt you to select how many people you're traveling with and what time you're planning on going through security. Then, all you need to do is type in your email address, double-check the information you've provided, and click on the "Create an appointment" button. As a benefit, you'll also have an additional 15 minutes before and after your scheduled time to use the Timeslot service.
Keep in mind, however, that the service is still in its trial phase — it only operates in Terminal 3 and for specific flight routes. And if you do happen to be one of the lucky travelers who's currently eligible for the service, make sure you book your spot at least three days in advance (the maximum time) as the slots tend to fill up quickly.