After You Travel
Welcome back! We hope you had a lovely time. Read on for all the information on getting home quickly.
Getting off the plane
Each airline’s handling agents are responsible for getting you (and your bags) off the plane, either via bus or an air bridge. Pushchairs are available to hire on the arrivals pier to help you get to baggage reclaim where you can collect your own.
Toilets are located along the arrivals pier before immigration. Smoking is not allowed – including e-cigarettes – until you are back landside, outside of the terminal building.
Immigration
Have your passport ready to help speed up your immigration process. See below if you are eligible to use the electronic immigration gates.
Who can use eGates?
- Citizens of the UK, EU, EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America who are 12+ and hold a biometric passport
- or members of the Registered Traveller service
Travellers will still need to see an officer if they are:
- travelling with children under 12 years
- travelling on their National Identity card or with a passport that does not have a biometric chip
- coming to the UK for short term study (under six months), specific types of work or reasons (if they are from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America)
- holders of Tier 5 Creative and Sporting Certificate of Sponsorship (up to 3 months) or
- those due to undertake a Permitted Paid Engagement
- family members of an EEA national seeking to join them in the UK
Landing cards
As part of the eGate expansion, we can also confirm that the withdrawal of landing cards for all non-EEA passengers, across all routes, will also occur from Monday 20 May 2019.
The Border Force website houses useful information about travelling through the border including advice on how you can prepare yourself so that you’re processed as quickly as possible. Click here to read the guide.
Click here for more answers to FAQs on the immigration process.
Baggage reclaim, lost baggage and customs
Check the information boards for your flight’s carousel number. Oversize luggage and pushchairs will be delivered to carousel 1.
All baggage handling is managed by airline agents at the airport. The size of the aircraft determines how long it takes to return your baggage. Signage around the baggage reclaim hall will advise you on average baggage delivery times depending on your aircraft size.
It is your airline's responsibility to manage the delivery of your baggage. If your luggage has been misplaced and your airline has provided you with a world tracer number, please click here to track your luggage.
In the event of lost or damaged baggage, see details of who to contact here.
Once you have your luggage, make your way to customs. For tips on getting through customs smoothly, click here.
Don’t forget that the World Duty Free Arrivals Store is on your way out, stocking lots of gifts perfect for your neighbour who fed the cat or your kind relative who is picking you up. Or a treat to perk yourself up if you have the ‘post-holiday blues’!
Parking and collections
Try to remember which specific car park your car is in. If you need a free transfer bus to that car park, you can get one from the bus stops outside the front of the terminal building.
If you’re being picked up, click here for information on the best car parks for picking up passengers. Please do not arrange for your driver to pick you up from the Premium Set Down car park as this is for rapid dropping off only.
If you have any problems on your return home, a full list of useful contact numbers is available here.