Heathrow Airport Guide - Features, Services & Facilities

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the UK’s busiest airport and a global aviation hub, handling a record-breaking 84.5 million passengers in 2025. Located 14 miles west of Central London, this four-terminal facility connects travelers to over 230 destinations across 89 countries. As of 2026, it operates under a consortium ownership including Ferrovial, Qatar Investment Authority, Ardian, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, featuring modernized security infrastructure and direct connections to the Elizabeth Line.

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Introduction: The Pulse of Global Aviation

Heathrow is more than just an airport; it is a mini-city and the crown jewel of the UK's transport network. Unlike other London airports that focus on specific regions, Heathrow is a true hub airport, facilitating thousands of daily connections between the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

In 2026, the airport continues its post-pandemic resurgence, having surpassed its previous passenger records. The facility is renowned for its sheer scale—covering 1,227 hectares—and its premium offerings, from personal shoppers in Terminal 5 to Michelin-star dining in Terminal 2. Whether you are catching a 15-minute Heathrow Express train to Paddington or relaxing in one of the 40+ executive lounges, Heathrow offers a travel experience defined by choice and connectivity.

Key Airport Stats 2026

• Passenger Volume: 84.5 Million (2025 Record)
• Runways: 2 Parallel (3,660m & 3,902m)
• Terminals: 4 (Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5)
• Ownership: Consortium including Ardian (~23-33%), Qatar IA (20%), Saudi PIF (15%), and Ferrovial.
• Location: Hillingdon, West London (TW6)

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Terminal Guide

Heathrow’s terminals are vast and geographically separated. Knowing your terminal before you leave home is critical, as transferring between them can take up to 20 minutes.

Terminal 2: The Queen's Terminal

Opened in 2014, this is the newest facility and the home of Star Alliance.

• Key Airlines: United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air China, Aer Lingus.
• Vibe: Modern, airy, and efficient with excellent natural light.
• Transfer: Connected to Terminal 3 via a pedestrian underpass.

Terminal 3

The hub for Oneworld (except BA) and SkyTeam long-haul members.

• Key Airlines: Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, JAL.
• Vibe: Bustling and retail-heavy, with some of the airport's best lounges.

Terminal 4

Located to the south of the runway, serving SkyTeam and non-aligned carriers.

• Key Airlines: Qatar Airways, Etihad, El Al, Saudia, Kenya Airways, Korean Air.
• Vibe: Recently refurbished, often quieter than T3 or T5.

Terminal 5

The dedicated home of British Airways and Iberia.

• Key Airlines: British Airways (exclusive), Iberia.
• Layout: Consists of the main building (T5A) and two satellite buildings (T5B and T5C) connected by an underground transit train.
• Vibe: Massive, architectural grandeur, and premium shopping.

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Recommended Check In Time

Heathrow is a high-volume environment. Security queues can fluctuate rapidly, so cutting it fine is never recommended.

• Long-Haul (USA, Asia, Africa): Arrive 3 hours before departure.
• Short-Haul (UK & Europe): Arrive 2 hours before departure.
• Desk Closing: Check-in desks typically close 60 minutes before long-haul flights and 45 minutes before short-haul.

If flying from Terminal 5 (British Airways) or Terminal 2, use the dedicated Zone A or Zone C check-in areas if you have status or premium tickets to bypass the main crowds.

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How to Get to Heathrow Airport?

Heathrow offers the most comprehensive transport links of any UK airport.

By Train

• Heathrow Express: Non-stop from London Paddington to T2&3 (15 mins) and T5 (21 mins). Fares are approx. £26.00 for a standard single, though advance tickets can be as low as £10.00.
• The Elizabeth Line: Connects Heathrow to Paddington, Bond Street, and Stratford. Fare is £15.50 (Contactless/Oyster). It takes 30-40 minutes to Central London and offers excellent value.
• London Underground (Piccadilly Line): The cheapest option at approx. £6.00 (Peak). Takes 50-60 minutes to Central London. Ideal for budget travelers but avoid during rush hour with heavy bags.

By Car

Heathrow is accessible via the M4 (Junction 4) and M25 (Junction 14/15) motorways.

• Sat Nav Postcodes: T2 (TW6 1EW), T3 (TW6 1QG), T4 (TW6 3XA), T5 (TW6 2GA).
• ULEZ Warning: Heathrow is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone. Non-compliant cars (generally pre-2015 diesels/pre-2006 petrols) pay £12.50 daily.

By Bus / Coach

• National Express: Direct services from Victoria Coach Station and hundreds of UK cities to the Central Bus Station (T2&3) and Terminal 5.
• RailAir: Dedicated coaches from Woking, Reading, and Guildford railway stations.
• Local Buses: The Hotel Hoppa and local TfL buses serve perimeter hotels and nearby towns.

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What is pick up and drop off procedure?

Heathrow enforces strict rules to manage the immense volume of traffic.

1. Terminal Drop-Off Charge (2026 Update)

As of January 1, 2026, the drop-off charge has increased.

• Cost: £7.00 per entry.
• Payment: No barriers. You must pay online or by phone by midnight the next day. Failure to pay results in an £80 Penalty Charge Notice.
• Limit: There is a strict 10-minute time limit in the drop-off zones.

2. Free Drop-Off (Long Stay)

To avoid the £7 fee, use the Long Stay Car Park for your terminal.

• Time: Free for 30 minutes.
• Transfer: Free shuttle buses run every 10-15 minutes to the terminal door.

3. Pick-Up

You cannot pick up passengers in the drop-off lanes. You must park in the Short Stay Car Park.

• Cost: Approximately £7.50 for 30 minutes.

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Which destinations does LHR Airport covers?

Heathrow offers connections to over 230 destinations across 89 countries. It is particularly strong on transatlantic routes and connections to Asia.

Destination Highlights

The airport serves as a primary link to New York (JFK/EWR) with over 30 daily flights. It also offers high-frequency widebody services to Dubai and extensive connections to India, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. European business shuttles run frequently to Frankfurt, Paris, Geneva, and Zurich.

Complete List of Direct Destination Categories (2026)

Region	Primary Destinations Served
UK & Ireland	Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Belfast City, Manchester, Newcastle, Newquay, Dublin, Cork, Shannon.
North America	New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Dallas, Seattle, Las Vegas, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Mexico City.
South America	São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Santiago, Lima.
Middle East	Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat, Kuwait, Bahrain, Tel Aviv, Amman, Beirut.
Asia Pacific	Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Delhi, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Perth.
Africa	Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Cairo, Addis Ababa, Casablanca.
Western Europe	Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Lisbon, Vienna.
Nordics	Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Reykjavik, Gothenburg.

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Which Airlines does fly from Heathrow Airport?

Over 80 airlines operate from Heathrow. Assignments are strictly managed by airline alliance.

Airline Overview

British Airways is the dominant carrier, controlling over 50% of the slots and occupying Terminal 5. Virgin Atlantic operates exclusively from Terminal 3. Star Alliance carriers are consolidated in Terminal 2.

Complete List of Major Airlines by Terminal

• Terminal 2 (Star Alliance): United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air China, ANA, Turkish Airlines, Aer Lingus.
• Terminal 3 (Oneworld & SkyTeam): Virgin Atlantic, Delta, American Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, JAL, Finnair.
• Terminal 4 (SkyTeam & Non-Aligned): Qatar Airways, Etihad, El Al, Saudia, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, China Eastern.
• Terminal 5 (BA): British Airways (All long-haul and most short-haul), Iberia.

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What parking options are available on LHR Airport?

Heathrow offers a massive array of parking products, from budget perimeter lots to white-glove valet services.

Park And Walk (Short Stay)

• Location: Multi-storey car parks attached to every terminal.
• Cost: High daily rate (approx. £77-£90/day if not pre-booked). Best for short business trips or meeting passengers.

Park And Ride (Long Stay)

• Location: Perimeter roads requiring a 5-10 minute shuttle bus.
• Cost: Pre-book rates approx. £30-£38/day. Best for 1-2 week holidays.

Meet And Greet / Valet

• Official Valet: Drop your car at the terminal forecourt. Staff park it for you.
• Terminal 5 Pod Parking: Park in a dedicated business car park and take a futuristic driverless pod to the terminal in 4 minutes.

SaveOnPark Exclusive: We provide the best Heathrow Airport parking deals. Official Heathrow Short Stay prices are among the highest in the world. By using our comparison engine, you can save up to 70% by booking Park & Ride or trusted off-site Meet & Greet services (such as Purple Parking or MBW). We vet all operators to ensure your car is stored in secure, CCTV-monitored compounds. Book early for the 2026 summer season to lock in the best rates.

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What facilities does LHR airport provides?

Heathrow offers a shopping and dining experience comparable to a high-end department store.

Shopping

• Luxury: Harrods, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Chanel, Dior.
• High Street: JD Sports, Superdry, Ted Baker, Accessorize.
• Essentials: Boots, WHSmith, InMotion, World Duty Free.

Bar & Restaurants

• Fine Dining: Caviar House & Prunier, Gordon Ramsay Plane Food (T5), Heston Blumenthal’s The Perfectionists’ Café (T2).
• Casual: Wagamama, Leon, Giraffe, Pilots Bar & Kitchen.
• Pubs: The Crown Rivers (T5), The Flying Chariot (T2).
• Coffee: Starbucks, Costa, Pret A Manger, Nero, Joe & The Juice.

What to do at Heathrow Airport? (Layover Guide)

• Relax: Visit the Be Relax Spa (T5/T2) or use shower facilities in lounges.
• Sleep: Book a room at Aerotel (T3 Arrivals) for a few hours.
• Culture: View the T5 Art Gallery or visit the Harry Potter Shop (T5).
• View: The View Heathrow observation deck in Terminal 4 offers 270-degree runway views.

Lounges

Heathrow has over 40 lounges, including independent options like Plaza Premium and Club Aspire, alongside airline-specific lounges like the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (T3) and British Airways Galleries (T5).

Hotels

• Connected to Terminals: Hilton (T4), Sofitel (T5), Hilton Garden Inn (T2), Aerotel (T3).
• Perimeter: Renaissance, Marriott, Sheraton Skyline, Holiday Inn M4J4.

FastTrack

• Security: Pre-book a slot for £12.50 per person to skip the queues.
• Passport Control: Available for premium passengers on arrival.

Special Assistance

• Service: Managed by OmniServ/Wilson James.
• Sunflower Lanyard: Fully recognized for hidden disabilities.

Blue Badge Parking

• Short Stay: Blue Badge holders can park in Short Stay but pay Long Stay rates (must validate ticket).

Security & Baggage (Liquid Rules)

• Status 2026: NGSC rollout is ongoing but partial. While some lanes allow 2L liquids and laptops to remain in bags, not all do.
• Rule: Assume the standard 100ml liquid limit and 1L clear plastic bag rule applies unless explicitly directed otherwise by security staff at your specific lane.

Heathrow VIP

• Service: A private suite service (The Windsor Suite) with private security and tarmac transfer to the aircraft. Costs start from approx. £3,000.

Immigration & Passport Control

• eGates: Over 50 eGates are available across all terminals for eligible biometric passport holders aged 10+.

Airport Transfers

• Heathrow Hoppa: Shuttle buses connecting terminals to perimeter hotels (£6.00 one way).
• Free Terminal Transfer: Trains (Heathrow Express/Elizabeth Line) are free for travel between terminals.

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What to do near Heathrow Airport? (Local Guide)

If you have a layover of 6 hours or more, explore the local area:

• Windsor Castle: 15-20 mins by taxi. The oldest occupied castle in the world.
• Legoland Windsor: 20 mins by taxi. Great for families.
• Richmond Park: 30-40 mins by taxi. London's largest Royal Park with wild deer.
• Kew Gardens: 25-30 mins by taxi. World-famous botanical gardens.

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