On this page (7 sections)
Scheduled arrival 15:20, London time, into Terminal 5.
See how BA256 is running today on the Heathrow arrivals board, or follow the aircraft on Flightradar24.
Which terminal this flight arrives at
Arrives at Terminal 5, British Airways’ home terminal and the newest of the four. Immigration and baggage reclaim are on the arrivals level. It has its own dedicated station directly under the building, served by the Elizabeth Line, the Piccadilly Line and Heathrow Express, so onward travel is one lift ride from arrivals. Some flights use the T5B and T5C satellites, reached by the transit train, but arriving passengers clear immigration in the main T5 hall. See the Terminal 5 guide, and T5 parking if you are collecting someone.
Arriving from India: entry and eGates
Arriving from India. Before you travel, check whether your nationality needs a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (an ETA, £20) or a visa, and whether you can use the automated eGates at Heathrow. The gov.uk eligibility checker at gov.uk/eta settles it in a minute. India is outside the EU, so the non-EU UK customs allowances apply to anything you carry in.
What the arrival time means for the queues
A daytime arrival in Heathrow’s wider international bank (roughly 13:00 to 21:00). Border Force targets clearing 95% of eGate-eligible passengers within 25 minutes and others within 45, so allow the upper end at this hour. Every onward option is running: the Elizabeth Line, Piccadilly Line, Heathrow Express and the coaches.
Meeting someone off BA256
The Terminal 5 meeting point is in the arrivals hall, marked by the four-arrows ceiling sign. Wait there rather than at the exit doors, which get congested. The common mistake is to arrive when the board shows Landed: for a long-haul flight like BA256, the passenger still has passport control and baggage ahead of them.
How long after landing until arrivals
A realistic window to actually see someone is about 45 to 70 minutes after BA256 shows Landed. The aircraft taxis to the stand, the passenger walks to UK Border and queues, then waits at baggage reclaim, where first bags reach the belt 35 to 50 minutes after a long-haul arrival, and finally clears customs into the hall.
Getting to and from Heathrow
If you are collecting someone, the cheapest wait is Terminal 5 parking, using the Park & Ride free 29-minute window or short-stay at the door. Forecourt pick-up is not allowed and the £7 charge applies to drop-off. For onward travel into London, compare the Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth Line, black cabs and private transfers.