Travelling to the UK with Qatar Airways . . . .

[TorquayFan]

I'm visiting the UK on April 25th and will be there some months - I have misgivings - it all seems too simple !

 

(I confess I'm nervous - last year's trip was - PCR test, Passenger Locator Form and Home Quarantine in the UK).

 

This seems TOO simple. No tests either end (outwards) and an airline ticket is all I need? Seems too good to be true . . . . transferring via Doha of course - any issues there? Or dare I relax?

 

Not sure about my return date but realise that may be a different game ????

 

Thanks for any replies . . . .

 

Edited April 13, 2022 by TorquayFan

[Photoguy21]

I came from Italy through Qatar at the height of the virus and I had no problem in Doha

[Polar Bear]

We've been going back and forth to Manchester with Qatar over the last few months. Doha airport is fine  The only issues have been due to UK airports being absolutely chaotic now. Factor in plenty of time to get through passport control and collect your bags.

[Scouse123]

55 minutes ago, Polar Bear said:

We've been going back and forth to Manchester with Qatar over the last few months. Doha airport is fine  The only issues have been due to UK airports being absolutely chaotic now. Factor in plenty of time to get through passport control and collect your bags.

Do you mean there's a problem with passport control and luggage landing in UK airports?

 

I am aware of the problems at departures due to staff shortages, recruitment and training, but this has been mainly for short haul charter flights and the added problems of Easter holidays, so I was told?............ Is that information incorrect?

 

I am flying back to Thailand early May in business, but that's a separate line from the chaos surely, and a long haul scheduled flight?

[Mises]

23 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Do you mean there's a problem with passport control and luggage landing in UK airports?

 

The UK's Home Secretay, Pretty Useless, has sent many immigration officers from London airports to Kent in order to process the illegals arriving daily in rubber boats from France.  These undesirables will have no queue on their way to the free 4 star hotel while resident taxpayers queue for several hours.

[Polar Bear]

41 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Do you mean there's a problem with passport control and luggage landing in UK airports?

 

I am aware of the problems at departures due to staff shortages, recruitment and training, but this has been mainly for short haul charter flights and the added problems of Easter holidays, so I was told?............ Is that information incorrect?

 

I am flying back to Thailand early May in business, but that's a separate line from the chaos surely, and a long haul scheduled flight?

I can only speak of Manchester, and it's an absolute mess. They've hardly got any staff on passport control, and then I waited over 90 mins for bags to come out. The e-gates at passport control have been hit and miss, with either all or most of them out of service a lot of the time. Cynically, I wonder if the PC delays are deliberate, to reduce the wait and crowding in baggage claim. If it hadn't taken an hour to get through PC, I'd have been waiting even longer in baggage claim, but maybe they have their own problems too.

 

Flying out was even worse. Qatar are opening their check in desk 4 hours before the flight now, and there were still people who missed the flight, probably because they couldn't get through security in time because the queues were ridiculous.

In Manchester, it's mainly down to the airport managing company (MAG) laying off staff during the pandemic to save money and then not rehiring them until the last possible minute, without leaving time to get people security cleared and trained up.

 

[mrfill]

There is a bit of a problem at Heathrow as Terminal 4 is closed for a refurb and flights are being shuffled around leading to long delays between landing and getting off. This then has a knock-on effect especially as BA planes seem to get priority on empty gates. T4 is not expected to reopen until July.

[allanos]

No problems at all at Doha! I came through Heathrow on 8th March. The immigration queue was not an issue and moved along quite rapidly.

 

I encountered a slight delay using the automated (British) passport-reader, and had to ask for help from a "boundary-rider". She advised that I remove my passport cover before inserting the passport in the scanner, and my problem was immediately resolved.

[jimn]

I am travelling Qatar back to the UK on May 25th. Great airline. Nothing required by Qatar or the UK, enjoy your flight.

[Tropposurfer]

Issues through Doha to BKK return with Qatar no problems for flight to Paris, can't speak for UK airports. We had vaccinations (two plus booster) certifications printed, also PCR tests prior to flying also printed just in case but needed only to show vaccinations.

Edited April 13, 2022 by Tropposurfer

[TorquayFan]

Jimn - thanks. That's what I thought.

I had a bad time last year.

And thanks all.

[StevieAus]

15 hours ago, Polar Bear said:

I can only speak of Manchester, and it's an absolute mess. They've hardly got any staff on passport control, and then I waited over 90 mins for bags to come out. The e-gates at passport control have been hit and miss, with either all or most of them out of service a lot of the time. Cynically, I wonder if the PC delays are deliberate, to reduce the wait and crowding in baggage claim. If it hadn't taken an hour to get through PC, I'd have been waiting even longer in baggage claim, but maybe they have their own problems too.

 

Flying out was even worse. Qatar are opening their check in desk 4 hours before the flight now, and there were still people who missed the flight, probably because they couldn't get through security in time because the queues were ridiculous.

In Manchester, it's mainly down to the airport managing company (MAG) laying off staff during the pandemic to save money and then not rehiring them until the last possible minute, without leaving time to get people security cleared and trained up.

 

I have flown through Manchester many times over the years pre Covid and it always seems chaotic.

There always seem to be long queues at the Immigration and few staff manning the desks.

I found out recently that as I have an Australian passport I could have used the automatic gates not sure if that speeds up the process.

On the last trip they had introduced a five pounds charge if you being picked up or dropped off in a taxi or private car.

I understand that it is owned and operated by Manchester City Council, maybe that’s the problem.

[sandyf]

19 hours ago, Polar Bear said:

We've been going back and forth to Manchester with Qatar over the last few months. Doha airport is fine  The only issues have been due to UK airports being absolutely chaotic now. Factor in plenty of time to get through passport control and collect your bags.

No change then. I went back last August and the queues at passport control were huge. I though I had no chance of catching National Express. Talk about luck, just as I was on a bend in the queue, security lifted the barrier and said anyone with a British passport could go to the E gates. Straight through and out in minutes, no questions asked.

Caught the coach to Gatwick and went into isolation at the Holiday Inn.

[The Fugitive]

10 minutes ago, sandyf said:

'security lifted the barrier and said anyone with a British passport could go to the E gates'.

Fingers crossed that your passport is accepted. Sometimes (it seems for no particular reason) the red light shows are you're directed to the manual gates. Would hate to have to rejoin the back of the queue I just left!

[sandyf]

7 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

Fingers crossed that your passport is accepted. Sometimes (it seems for no particular reason) the red light shows are you're directed to the manual gates. Would hate to have to rejoin the back of the queue I just left!

I have seen many red lights over the years and never seen anyone sent back, invariably resolved at the E gates one way or another, some escorted away.

Been trapped in the machine myself a couple times, forgot to remove glasses, not a problem now I have had the cataracts done.

The photo was a big problem in the early days but the E gates have been in use now for nearly 15 years so everyone should have had a new passport in that time.

[The Fugitive]

30 minutes ago, sandyf said:

I have seen many red lights over the years and never seen anyone sent back, invariably resolved at the E gates one way or another, some escorted away.

Been trapped in the machine myself a couple times, forgot to remove glasses, not a problem now I have had the cataracts done.

The photo was a big problem in the early days but the E gates have been in use now for nearly 15 years so everyone should have had a new passport in that time.

I get told by security; "I don't know why that happened but you need to go to a manual gate". One time they asked where I had come from? Another occasion they took my boarding pass. On yet another occasion nothing whatsover was asked.

[sandyf]

4 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

I get told by security; "I don't know why that happened but you need to go to a manual gate". One time they asked where I had come from? Another occasion they took my boarding pass. On yet another occasion nothing whatsover was asked.

I suppose like most walks of life you can come across those born to be unhelpful, touch wood I haven't come across any at the E gates yet.