The simple truth about airport transfers: luggage drives the vehicle choice

When people think about choosing a vehicle for an airport transfer, they usually focus on comfort — leather seats, a smooth ride, quiet cabin, and a professional driver. All of that matters. But from an operational point of view, luggage is often the deciding factor.

Even a large luxury saloon like the BMW i7 has a defined boot space. It’s excellent for comfort, ideal for executive travel, and perfect for one or two passengers with typical luggage. But “typical” can mean different things to different people.

To one traveller, typical is:

• 1 medium suitcase + 1 cabin bag

To another, typical is:

• 1 large suitcase + 1 cabin suitcase + 2 additional bags + duty free

And sometimes we see:

• multiple hard-shell suitcases, oversized cases, plus extra bags that weren’t originally planned

None of this is “wrong” — it’s just something we need to know early so we can plan properly.

Heathrow Terminal 5: why last-minute surprises are harder to solve

Heathrow Terminal 5 is one of the busiest terminals in the UK. Pick-up areas move quickly, stopping time is limited, and traffic management can be strict. When everything is planned correctly, it’s smooth: your driver arrives, tracks the flight, meets you, loads the luggage and you’re on the way.

But if luggage volume is significantly different from expected, you don’t want to be making vehicle changes at the kerbside or take up additional time in very expensive car parks. That’s stressful for you, awkward for everyone, and can cause delays — especially at peak times.

This is exactly why we encourage a quick message if anything changes. Even a short note helps:

• “We’ve added 2 extra suitcases”

• “We’ll have one large hard case + 2 cabin cases”

• “We’ve got a buggy / wheelchair”

• “We’re travelling with golf clubs / skis”

With that information, we can do what we do best: make your transfer calm, reliable, and comfortable from the very first minute.

What we do at booking stage (and why we still need your updates)

We already build checks into our booking process. We’ll confirm:

• number of passengers

• pickup and drop-off details

• flight information (for airports)

• preferred vehicle (where relevant)

• luggage requirements

However, travel plans are living things. People add bags. Return trips change. Someone else’s luggage gets bundled in. Gifts, shopping, and duty free appear. Or a trip that was originally a short break becomes a longer stay.

None of that is unusual — it’s normal life. The only risk is when we aren’t told, because then we’re working with outdated information.

Why “just one passenger” can still mean “lots of luggage”

This is a common misconception: “It’s only one person, so the car will be fine.”

Sometimes, yes — and most of the time it’s exactly right. But one passenger can be:

• relocating for work

• travelling long-haul with additional bags

• returning from a cruise or extended holiday

• carrying equipment or specialist items

• travelling with multiple large suitcases for convenience

So although passenger count matters, luggage is the variable that can change everything.

Our promise: we’ll always aim to make it work — but we’d rather get it right first time

We pride ourselves on being flexible. If a client turns up with more luggage than expected, we’ll always do our best to accommodate it — as we did here.

But there’s an important point: some situations can’t be solved safely or comfortably without the right vehicle. We’ll never compromise on:

• passenger comfort

• safe loading

• clear rear visibility for the driver

• luggage security

That’s why we’d always rather adjust the plan in advance.

What to tell us (a quick checklist)

If you’re booking an airport transfer — especially from Heathrow — here’s what helps us match you perfectly:

1. How many suitcases are you travelling with?
   (Large, medium, cabin)

2. Any “special items”?
   Golf clubs, skis, instruments, boxes, prams, folding wheelchairs, mobility aids.

3. Are bags likely to change?
   If you’re unsure, tell us what’s possible and we’ll plan accordingly.

4. Are there multiple pick-ups or drop-offs?
   More stops sometimes means more bags.

This isn’t about being fussy — it’s about protecting the quality of your journey.

The upside: better matching = better experience

When we have the full picture, you benefit in very real ways:

• the right vehicle arrives first time

• loading is quick and stress-free

• you travel comfortably with space around you

• there’s no last-minute debate at the airport

• we reduce delays and keep your schedule on track

That’s especially important on airport transfers where timing matters.

A quick note for Executive Assistants, PAs, and corporate bookers

If you’re arranging travel for a director, VIP, or visiting client, luggage detail matters even more — because the expectation is seamless service.

If you’re not sure what they’re travelling with, a quick prompt can save the day:

• “How many suitcases and hand luggage will you have?”

• “Any large items (golf clubs / skis / extra bags)?”

• “Is there a chance luggage increases on return?”

It’s a small question that protects a high-end experience.

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Plan Your Journey

If you’re travelling from Heathrow Terminal 5 (or any UK airport) and want the journey to be smooth from the moment you land, let us know your passenger numbers and luggage details when you book — and message us if anything changes. We’ll take it from there.

Book your next chauffeur-driven journey today! Call us at +44(0)3333444018, visit www.pluschauffeurs.co.uk, or email enquiries@pluschauffeurs.co.uk to make your reservation.