Heathrow Airport (LHR)

1. Airport Overview

2. History and Background

  • Founding Year: 1946
  • Development Timeline:
    • 1946: Airport opens as London Airport
    • 1966: Renamed Heathrow Airport
    • 2008: Opening of Terminal 5
    • 2014: Redevelopment of Terminal 2
  • Significant Events:
    • 2012: Heathrow serves as the main gateway for the London Olympics
    • 2014: Queen Elizabeth II officially opens the new Terminal 2

3. Facilities and Services

  • Passenger Services:
    • Lounges: British Airways Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, SkyTeam Lounge
    • Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport
    • Baggage Services: Lost & Found, baggage wrapping, and storage
  • Shopping and Dining:
    • Shops: Duty-free, Harrods, World Duty Free, and luxury brands like Chanel and Gucci
    • Restaurants: Gordon Ramsay Plane Food, Wagamama, Pret A Manger, and more
  • Transportation:
    • Public Transport: Heathrow Express, London Underground (Piccadilly Line), buses
    • Car Rentals: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise
    • Parking: Short-term and long-term parking options, valet parking
    • Shuttles: Hotel shuttles and city shuttles available
  • Accessibility: Services for passengers with reduced mobility, accessible restrooms, dedicated assistance teams

4. Terminals and Layout

  • Terminal Information:
    • Terminal 2: Star Alliance members and other airlines
    • Terminal 3: Oneworld members and other long-haul international flights
    • Terminal 4: SkyTeam members and other long-haul international flights
    • Terminal 5: British Airways and Iberia
  • Airport Layout Map: Interactive Map

5. Flights and Airlines

  • Airlines: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, American Airlines, and many more
  • Destinations: Over 180 destinations worldwide including New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Sydney
  • Flight Status: Real-time Flight Status

6. Travel Tips and Information

  • Check-In Procedures: Check-in counters open 3 hours before departure; online check-in available
  • Security: Comprehensive security procedures; separate lines for families and business travelers
  • Customs and Immigration: Passport control for non-Schengen flights, customs checks for arriving international passengers

7. Hotels and Accommodation

  • On-Site Hotels:
    • Sofitel London Heathrow (Terminal 5)
    • Hilton London Heathrow Airport (Terminal 4)
  • Nearby Hotels:
    • Premier Inn Heathrow Airport
    • Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow
    • Hyatt Place London Heathrow

8. Airport Lounges

  • Lounge Access:
    • British Airways Lounge: Access for British Airways Business and First Class passengers, Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members
    • Plaza Premium Lounge: Access with Priority Pass membership, or for a fee
    • SkyTeam Lounge: Access for SkyTeam Business Class passengers, SkyTeam Elite Plus members
  • Lounge Amenities: Complimentary food and beverages, Wi-Fi, showers, workstations, relaxation areas

9. Business and Conference Facilities

  • Business Centers: Available in various lounges with workstations and meeting rooms
  • Meeting Rooms: Available at the Sofitel London Heathrow and Hilton London Heathrow Airport

10. Airport Statistics

  • Passenger Traffic: Approximately 80 million passengers annually
  • Flight Operations: Over 475,000 flight movements annually
  • Cargo: Handles over 1.5 million tons of cargo annually

11. Future Developments

  • Upcoming Projects: Expansion plans including a potential third runway and terminal expansions
  • Renovation Plans: Ongoing upgrades to terminal interiors, security, and passenger facilities

12. Traveler Experiences

13. Photo Gallery

14. Useful Links

15. Contact and Support

  • Customer Support:
  • Feedback: Feedback form available on the official website

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