I don't know about Heathrow, but I had a similar (1 hr, 15 min) connection at Newark and it was a really narrow window. I get that 3 hours is really long though.

Having just crossed the pond on a direct flight, I would not chance a 1 hour connection. Our plane was 2 hours late leaving Boston. Give yourself the extra time and go for the 3 hour layover. Almost all of our recent flights have had delays of one sort or another. We got stuck in Newark on Valentine's Day and could not find a decent spot to have dinner while awaiting our delayed plane. Air travel is not what it used to be!

I'd definitely go with the option for a 3 hour layover. If your arrival into LHR is late, you could have issues. I'd imagine that 3 hours is including boarding time for the leg to Rome, so it's not like you'll just be sitting around for that long.

I agree! Even flying domestic flights, there seems to be issues lately.

I'd definitely go with the 3 hour layover. Enjoy a meal, shop thru the duty-free shops, & just not having to worry about finding your way through Heathrow would give you much more peace of mind. It can take up to 20 minutes or so if you have to traverse terminals, so any delays could cause you much rushing around, missed luggage connections or other problems you don't want to deal with.

If you get there early, you could always check to see if there is space available on the earlier flight and whether your luggage would also be transferred to that flight.

How are you booking it? Usually if it is one carrier they won't book it unless it is legal. I would only do that if I called BA and they blessed it; then it is their problem if it does not work. It just might.

If it doesn't. 3 hours is not bad ... and BA lounges are so nice. Pretty good food!

Thanks, everyone! My gut told me to go with the three hour window, and you all have confirmed that for me.

You made the right choice. My last connection through Heathrow required getting on a tram to get to my departing gate. I could have taken a flight with a shorter layover, but ended up being glad for the extra time.

I agree, you made the right call. If your flight to Heathrow is just a little delayed the time could be made up in the air, but a big delay and you'd be wishing for the extra time.

Glad you took the 3 hour. Healthrow has interesting people watching. I am sitting now at Tucson International bc our flight yesterday was cancelled due to a brake problem with the plane. We stayed overnight at an airport hotel. Fortunately. Little different situation.

I hate waiting for them to post the gates. I am always sure that I have my flight number wrong because I don't see it listed. Everyone is sitting or standing staring at those dumb boards, getting a crick in the neck.

Good call. I nowadays look for no less than three hours on international connections, and on recent travels to Asia and Europe it was just enough time. Even without flight delays, you will need time to go through immigration and possibly security when you connect. These procedures are increasingly arduous and time consuming. A friend connecting through Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago told me he had barely enough time with a four hour window due to security. Enjoy your trip!

If BA wil book your flights that close together they will be responsible for getting you on the next plane anyway so you'd be no worse off than booking the longer connection to start with.

(FYI, you can sign up for Heathrow's email notifications that give you a heads up on construction, conditions, etc. )

Glad you chose three hours. As a veteran traveler, you may get to your connection (or they'll even hold the plane) with a 75 minute LHR connection, but often, your luggage will miss it. And although they may have the next flight available, you are not assured of getting on it (changes improve with booking class and status).

OT, but pertinent to flying through Heathrow.

When booking my frequent flier "free" ticket for Paris this fall, the only routes they'd allow a free seat was Heathrow. The taxes and fees came to $1008 on a business-class mileage ticket.

I decided to try different days. By going two days earlier and flying from Raleigh to Charlotte to Paris (skipping London), the taxes were only $100 for a business-class mileage ticket.

Buying airfare is such a game. I think there are people who have a hobby of finding the very best airfare, but who has time for that? I can sometimes get much better fares by flying out of Newark rather than Philadelphia. My friend recently bought a ticket to Europe on a site called I Fly Business. Her business calss fare was much less expensive but their business model makes me nervous. They buy up frequent flyer miles and buy tickets that way. Bet they are the first to get bumped.

I'm so glad to read you took the 3 hour layover in Heathrow.

While I love the UK, I especially hate flying into Heathrow. It's not only huge, (makes JFK look small in comparison) but the biggest pain to get around.

It's been years since I've been in Heathrow. Sounds like a pita, but it will be worth it for the non-stop there from Austin! We are going on a cruise out of Rome, and cruise line is making air reservations. They also suggested the 3 hour layover!