If, like me, you are puzzled as to why Heathrow has so many terminals, here is a quick guide that should be informative. This article should help you get to the right terminal when traveling abroad or welcoming family and visitors to the UK.
For starters, Heathrow Airport handles nearly half a million passenger and cargo flights in a year. Around sixty-eight million people who travel the world find themselves at this airport at one time or another. Perhaps this explains why five different terminals are needed at this world-renowned stopping point. Terminal One is primarily used for domestic flights, but it is also where some European and long-haul flights land and take off. A total of fifteen airlines operate from this terminal. International passengers usually arrive on the ground floor, while those arriving from the UK, the Republic of Ireland or the Channel Islands arrive on the first floor.
Long-haul flights Heathrow taxi require you to register three hours in advance; for European flights, you must be there two hours before the flight and domestic flights must be at the airport 45 minutes before departure.
Did you know that Terminal Two was the first Heathrows terminal and opened in 1955? Today, it is mainly used for flights to European destinations. Air France, Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Airlines are some of the thirty airlines that operate from this terminal. The check-in procedure is similar to that of Terminal 1.
Terminal Three is well known for its flights to and from the United States, South America, and Asia. Some of the airlines that operate these long-haul flights allow you to check-in online. This facility makes your departure and arrival much easier, especially if you are traveling with children.
Most British Airways and KLM flights land and take off from Terminal Four. It is home to these two airlines, but some other flights also pass through this terminal from time to time. For flight departures, you must go to the first floor while arrivals will be on the ground floor.
You should be proud to fly out of Terminal Five as it is the newest terminal at Heathrow Airport. This imposing steel and glass building is the exclusive home of British Airways flights simply because it is the only airline allowed to fly from here today. It was opened in 2008 by Queen Elizabeth II.