Questions and Answers

I’ve read the great advice with respect to this topic, but I have a slightly different twist/question on the subject:
I have two seperate bookings coming up, and I need to transit thru LHR. The first is a BA flight from France, and then a Virgin Atlantic departure after our layover.
BA carry-on size rules are 22 x 18 x 10in (UP TO 51 POUNDS) and Virgin’s are 9 x 14 x 22 inches (UP TO 26 POUNDS).
The length of the connection makes me want to stay airside and transit between terminal 5 and 3 with only our carry-ons.
My question is about what would happen if I showed up at the Virgin gate with BA-sized carry-ons? (essentially 4″ too large in one direction.) I don’t really care if they gate check them to the hold, but I really don’t want to be sent back to baggage check outside of security, etc.
FWIW the tickets are in Upper Class, so there’s plenty of weight allowed for checked bags — it’s the size that concerns me!
Thanks for your advice…

I don’t think anyone will check the size of your bags at the Virgin gate, especially not if you’re traveling Upper Class.

But you will have to re-clear security at T3 regardless, and if immigration queues aren’t too long it may actually be faster to exit T5, take the Heathrow Express to T3, and then use the Upper Class channel than to take the airside bus.

Take T’s advice. I will do anything to avoid LHR transfers. It is always a nightmare even with Fast Track cards in hand. Good luck. You are smart to ask questions!