Editing Heathrow Airport (section)

==Operations==
[[File:A6EEE-LHR-20241011-161753.jpg|thumb|An [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] [[Airbus A380]] passing over [[Myrtle Avenue, Hounslow|Myrtle Avenue]] on approach to runway ''27L'' at Heathrow]]
[[File:Heathrow Control Tower (6151313288).jpg|thumb|Heathrow's control tower amidst departure gates at [[Heathrow Terminal 3|Terminal 3]]]]
[[File:Concorde G-BOAB at Heathrow.jpg|thumb|''G-BOAB'', a former [[British Airways]] [[Concorde]] preserved at Heathrow]]

===Facilities===
Heathrow Airport is used by over 89 airlines flying to 214 destinations in 84 countries. The airport is the primary [[Airline hub|hub]] of [[British Airways]] and is a base for [[Virgin Atlantic]]. It has four passenger terminals (numbered 2 to 5) and a cargo terminal. In 2021 Heathrow served 19.4 million passengers, of which 17 million were international and 2.4 million domestic. The busiest year ever recorded was 2019 when 80.9 million passengers travelled through the airport. Heathrow is the UK's largest port by value with a network of over 218 destinations worldwide. The busiest single destination in passenger numbers is New York, with over three{{nbsp}}million passengers flying between Heathrow and JFK Airport in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=International Air Passenger Traffic To and From Reporting Airports for 2013 |url=http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport_data/2013Annual/Table_12_1_Intl_Air_Pax_Route_Analysis_2013.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704161033/https://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport_data/2013Annual/Table_12_1_Intl_Air_Pax_Route_Analysis_2013.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2015 |access-date=12 February 2015 |publisher=Civil Aviation Authority |page=68}}</ref>

In the 1950s, Heathrow had six runways, arranged in three pairs at different angles in the shape of a [[hexagram]] with the permanent passenger terminal in the middle and the older terminal along the north edge of the field; two of its runways would always be within 30° of the wind direction. As the required length for runways has grown, Heathrow now has only two parallel runways running east–west. These are extended versions of the two east–west runways from the original hexagram. From the air, almost all of the original runways can still be seen, incorporated into the present system of taxiways. 

North of the northern runway and the former taxiway and aprons, now the site of extensive car parks, is the entrance to the access tunnel and the site of Heathrow's unofficial "[[gate guardian]]". For many years the home of a 40% scale model of a British Airways [[Concorde]], G-CONC; the site has been occupied by a model of an Emirates [[Airbus A380]] since 2008.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 March 2007 |title=Heathrow Concorde model removed |newspaper=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6509667.stm |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-date=16 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316023144/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6509667.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
Heathrow Airport has [[Church of England|Anglican]], [[Catholic]], [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|Free Church]], [[Hinduism|Hindu]], [[Jewish]], [[Muslim]] and [[Sikhism|Sikh]] chaplains. There is a [[multi-faith prayer room]] and counselling room in each terminal, in addition to [[St George's Interdenominational Chapel, Heathrow Airport|St. George's Interdenominational Chapel]] in an underground vault adjacent to the old control tower, where Christian services take place. The chaplains organise and lead prayers at certain times in the prayer room.<ref>{{cite web |title=Multi faith prayer rooms |url=https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/multi-faith-prayer-rooms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223085213/https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/multi-faith-prayer-rooms |archive-date=23 December 2018 |publisher=Heathrow Airport}}</ref>

The airport has its resident press corps, consisting of six photographers and one TV crew, serving all the major newspapers and television stations around the world.<ref name="Ref_n">{{cite news |date=13 July 2007 |title=Heathrow's hidden gems |agency=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/07/13/bt.citytips/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105075832/http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/07/13/bt.citytips/index.html |archive-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>

Most of Heathrow's internal roads’ names are coded by their first letter: N in the north (e.g. Newall Road), E in the east (e.g. Elmdon Road), S in the south (e.g. Stratford Road), W in the west (e.g. Walrus Road), C in the centre (e.g. Camborne Road).

=== Cargo ===
The top cargo export destinations include the United States, China and the United Arab Emirates handling 1.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2022. The top products exported were books, salmon and medicine.<ref name="Facts">{{cite web |date=23 September 2023 |title=Facts and figures |url=https://www.heathrow.com/company/about-heathrow/facts-and-figures |access-date=25 September 2023 |publisher=Heathrow Airport |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831162611/https://www.heathrow.com/company/about-heathrow/facts-and-figures |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Flight movements===
Aircraft destined for Heathrow are usually routed to one of [[Heathrow arrival stacks|four holding points]]. [[Air traffic controller]]s at Heathrow Approach Control (based in [[Swanwick, Hampshire]]) then guide the aircraft to their final approach, merging aircraft from the four holds into a single stream of traffic, sometimes as close as {{convert|2.5|NM}} apart. Considerable use is made of [[continuous descent approach]] techniques to minimise the environmental effects of incoming aircraft, particularly at night.<ref name="Heathrow2004">{{cite report|publisher=BAA Heathrow|title=Flight Evaluation Report 2004/05|date=2004–2005|url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets//B2CPortal/Static%20Files/New2005Booklet.pdf|access-date=2 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051126064156/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets//B2CPortal/Static%20Files/New2005Booklet.pdf|archive-date=26 November 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> Once an aircraft is established on its final approach, control is handed over to Heathrow Tower.

When runway alternation was introduced, aircraft generated significantly more noise on departure than when landing, so a preference for westerly operations during daylight was introduced, which continues to this day.<ref name="Ref_o">During periods of westerly operation, aircraft continue to fly in a westerly direction with an easterly tailwind component of up to {{convert|5|kn|km/h mph}}, if the runway is dry and there is no significant crosswind.</ref> In this mode, aircraft take off towards the west and land from the east over London, thereby minimising the impact of noise on the most densely populated areas. Heathrow's two runways generally operate in segregated mode, whereby landings are allocated to one runway and takeoffs to the other. To further reduce noise nuisance, the use of runways 27R and 27L is swapped at 15:00 each day if the wind is from the west. When landings are easterly there is no alternation; 09L remains the landing runway and 09R the takeoff runway due to the legacy of the now rescinded [[Cranford Agreement]], pending taxiway works to allow the roles to be reversed. Occasionally, landings are allowed on the nominated departure runway, to help reduce airborne delays and to position landing aircraft closer to their terminal, reducing taxi times.

Night-time flights at Heathrow are subject to [[Night flying restrictions|restrictions]]. Between 23:00 and 04:00, the noisiest aircraft (rated [[Quota Count system|QC]]/8 and QC/16) cannot be scheduled for operation. Also, during the night quota period (23:30–06:00) there are four limits:
* A limit on the number of flights allowed.
* A [[Quota Count system]] which limits the total amount of noise permitted, but allows operators to choose to operate fewer noisy aircraft or a greater number of quieter planes.<ref name="Ref_p">{{cite web|title=Noise limits|url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/noise/what-we-do-about-it/measures-already-in-place/noise-limits|publisher=Heathrow Airport|access-date=27 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121225040213/http://www.heathrowairport.com/noise/what-we-do-about-it/measures-already-in-place/noise-limits|archive-date=25 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
* QC/4 aircraft cannot be scheduled for operation.
* A voluntary agreement with the airlines that no early-morning arrivals will be scheduled to land before 04:30.

A trial of "noise-relief zones" ran from December 2012 to March 2013, which concentrated approach flight paths into defined areas compared with the existing paths which were spread out. The zones used alternated weekly, meaning residents in the "no-fly" areas received respite from aircraft noise for set periods.<ref>{{cite news|title=Heathrow begins trial of noise relief zones|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20591037|work=BBC News|date=4 December 2012|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118151208/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20591037|archive-date=18 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> However, it was concluded that some residents in other areas experienced more noise as a consequence of the trial and that it should therefore not be taken forward in its current form. Heathrow received more than 25,000 noise complaints in just three months over the summer of 2016, but around half were made by the same ten people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/half-of-heathrow-noise-complaints-made-by-just-10-people/|title=Half of Heathrow's 25,000 noise complaints made by the same 10 people|date=1 November 2016|access-date=23 March 2018|work=The Telegraph|author=Hugh Morris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324162311/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/half-of-heathrow-noise-complaints-made-by-just-10-people/|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Heathrow introduced "Fly Quiet & Green", a quarterly published league table (suspended in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic) that awards points to the 50 busiest airlines at the airport, ostensibly based on their performance relative to each other across a range of seven environmental benchmarks, such as {{NOx}} emissions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrowflyquieterandgreener.com/|title=Heathrow Fly Quiet and Green|publisher=Heathrow Airport|access-date=28 October 2021|archive-date=19 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119210735/https://heathrowflyquieterandgreener.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Heathrow has acknowledged, but not attempted to refute, criticism over discrepancies and a lack of transparency over the way in which the figures are calculated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/content/dam/heathrow/web/common/documents/company/local-community/noise/making-heathrow-quiter/noise-action-plan/Noise_Action_Plan_2019-2023_Supporting_Annexes.pdf|title=Heathrow Noise Action Plan 2019–2023 Supporting Annexes|publisher=Heathrow Airport|access-date=28 October 2021|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028102456/https://www.heathrow.com/content/dam/heathrow/web/common/documents/company/local-community/noise/making-heathrow-quiter/noise-action-plan/Noise_Action_Plan_2019-2023_Supporting_Annexes.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The airport has always refused to publish a breakdown showing how many "Fly Quiet points" each performance benchmark has contributed towards the total score it awards to an airline, thereby putting obstacles in the way of any independent auditing of the published results.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Fly-Quiet-Green-Forensics-V1.3.pdf|title=Fly Quiet & Green Forensics|publisher=AirportWatch|author=AvGen Ltd|date=March 2019|access-date=6 November 2021|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106083121/https://www.airportwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Fly-Quiet-Green-Forensics-V1.3.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Among other criticisms of the league table are the unexplained omission of some of the poorer performers among the 50 busiest airlines<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrowflyquieterandgreener.com/q2-2019/|title=Q2 2019 Fly Quiet 'Top 50' Airlines, wrongly omitting Korean Air|date=20 August 2019|publisher=Heathrow Airport|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123094959/https://www.heathrowflyquietandgreen.com/q2-2019/|archive-date=23 January 2020}}</ref> and the emphasis on relative rather than absolute performance,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrowflyquieterandgreener.com/how-we-calculate/|title = Heathrow Fly Quiet and Green – How We Calculate|date = 10 May 2016|publisher=Heathrow Airport|access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref> so an airline could well improve its "Fly Quiet" score quarter-on-quarter even if its environmental performance had in fact worsened over the period. In October 2024, Heathrow finally reinstated the programme, rebadged as “Fly Quieter & Greener”. Two more environmental benchmarks were added to the previous seven, but in all other respects the aforementioned deficiencies of the original scheme remain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/detail/21065/|title=Heathrow relaunches airlines' sustainability performance league table|date=22 October 2024|publisher=Heathrow Airport|access-date=2 November 2024|archive-date=15 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215165017/https://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/detail/21065/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] Heathrow has seen a large increase in cargo-only flights, not only by already established carriers at the airport operating cargo-only flights using passenger aircraft but also by several cargo-only airlines.<ref>[https://www.heathrow.com/latest-news/heathrow-equips-uk-data-revealed – Heathrow News] retrieved 20 January 2021</ref>

===Arrival stacks===
{{main|Heathrow arrival stacks}}
Inbound aircraft to London Heathrow Airport typically follow one of several Standard Arrival Routes (STARs). The STARs each terminate at one of four different [[VHF omnidirectional range|VOR installations]], and these also define four "stacks"<ref name="UK AIP">{{cite web|url=https://www.aurora.nats.co.uk/htmlAIP/Publications/2021-10-07-AIRAC/html/index-en-GB.html|title=UK AIP – EGLL London Heathrow|publisher=NATS|access-date=1 November 2021|author=NATS|date=17 October 2021|archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101110928/https://www.aurora.nats.co.uk/htmlAIP/Publications/2021-10-07-AIRAC/html/index-en-GB.html|url-status=live}}</ref> where aircraft can be [[Holding (aviation)|held]] if necessary until they are cleared to begin their approach to land. Stacks are sections of [[airspace]] where inbound aircraft will normally use the pattern closest to their arrival route. They can be visualised as a [[helix]] in the sky. Each stack descends in {{convert|1000|ft|m|0}} intervals from {{convert|16,000|ft|m|0}} down to {{convert|8000|ft|m|0}}. Aircraft hold between {{convert|7,000 and 15,000|feet|m|0}} at 1,000-foot intervals. If these holds become full, aircraft are held at more distant points before being cleared onward to one of the four main holds.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

The following four stacks are currently in place:{{cn|date=July 2024}}
* The Bovingdon stack is for arrivals from the northwest. It extends above the village of [[Bovingdon]] and the town of [[Chesham]], and uses the VOR BNN ("Bovingdon"), which is situated on the former [[RAF Bovingdon]] airfield.
* The [[Biggin Hill]] stack on the southeast edge of Greater London is for arrivals from the southeast. It uses the VOR BIG ("Biggin"), which is situated on [[London Biggin Hill Airport]].
* The [[Lambourne]] stack in Essex is for arrivals from the northeast. It uses the VOR LAM ("Lambourne"), which is situated adjacent to [[Stapleford Aerodrome]].
* The [[Ockham, Surrey|Ockham]] stack in Surrey is for arrivals from the southwest. It uses the VOR OCK ("Ockham"), which is situated on the former [[Wisley Airfield]].

In high-traffic situations, air traffic controllers can opt to use a number of RNAV STARs either to send traffic to a non-standard stack or to move traffic from one stack to another. These are not allowed to be used for flight planning and will be assigned by ATC tactically.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

===Third runway===
{{main|Expansion of Heathrow Airport}}
In September 2012, the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]] established the [[Airports Commission]], an independent commission chaired by [[Sir Howard Davies]] to examine various options for increasing capacity at UK airports. In July 2015, the commission backed a third runway at Heathrow, which the government approved in October 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/heathrow-airport-expansion-commission-report-backs-third-runway-10356684.html|location=London|work=The Independent|first=Simon|last=Calder|title=Heathrow Airport expansion: Commission report backs third runway|date=1 July 2015|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925162915/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/heathrow-airport-expansion-commission-report-backs-third-runway-10356684.html|archive-date=25 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jun/26/heathrow-gatwick-expansion-davies-report-frequent-flyers-aviation|title=Forget Heathrow expansion, Davies report should tackle frequent flyers|author=Andrew Simms|work=The Guardian|date=1 July 2015|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210904/https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/jun/26/heathrow-gatwick-expansion-davies-report-frequent-flyers-aviation|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37760187|title=Third runway at Heathrow cleared for takeoff by ministers|last=Johnston|first=Chris|work=BBC News|date=25 October 2016|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214023256/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37760187|archive-date=14 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the [[England and Wales Court of Appeal|Court of Appeal]] rejected this plan, on the basis that the government failed to consider [[climate change]] and the [[environmental impact of aviation]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Espiner|first=Tom|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51658693|title=Climate campaigners win Heathrow expansion case|date=27 February 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=28 February 2020|archive-date=27 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227225905/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51658693|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 December 2020, the [[UK Supreme Court]] lifted the ban on the third runway expansion, allowing the construction plan to go ahead.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/top-uk-court-overturns-block-on-heathrows-third-runway|title=Top UK court overturns block on Heathrow's third runway|date=16 December 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|last=Carrington|first=Damian|archive-date=25 September 2024|access-date=16 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925023230/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/top-uk-court-overturns-block-on-heathrows-third-runway|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Regulation===
{{Further|Landing slot}}
Until it was required to sell Gatwick and Stansted Airports, Heathrow Airport Holdings, owned mostly by [[FGP Topco|FGP]] and [[Qatar Investment Authority]] and [[Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec|CDPQ]]<ref name=":1" /> held a dominant position in the London aviation market and has been heavily regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as to how much it can charge airlines to land. The annual increase in [[Landing fee|landing charge]] per passenger was capped at inflation minus 3% until 1 April 2003. From 2003 to 2007 charges increased by inflation plus 6.5% per year, taking the fee to £9.28 per passenger in 2007. In March 2008, the CAA announced that the charge would be allowed to increase by 23.5% to £12.80 from 1 April 2008 and by inflation plus 7.5% for each of the following four years.<ref name="Ref_r">{{cite news|title=IATA attacks higher landing charges at British airports|date=12 March 2008|agency=Agence France-Presse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102083857/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5izyYRsZKFHEIOR6WYbdtInUOLqgA?hl=en|archive-date=2 November 2013|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5izyYRsZKFHEIOR6WYbdtInUOLqgA|access-date=14 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2013, the CAA announced a proposal for Heathrow to charge fees calculated by inflation minus 1.3%, continuing until 2019.<ref>{{cite news|title=Heathrow and Gatwick face new airline fee caps|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22349054|work=BBC News|date=30 April 2013|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031150738/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22349054|archive-date=31 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Whilst the charges for landing at Heathrow are determined by the CAA and Heathrow Airport Holdings, the allocation of [[landing slot]]s to airlines is carried out by Airport Co-ordination Limited (ACL).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/company/company-news-and-information/economic-regulation|title=Economic Regulation of Heathrow and Gatwick Airports 2008–2013|date=11 March 2008|publisher=Civil Aviation Authority|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324105703/https://www.heathrow.com/company/company-news-and-information/economic-regulation|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Until 2008, air traffic between Heathrow and the United States was strictly governed by the countries' bilateral [[Bermuda II]] treaty. The treaty originally allowed only British Airways, [[Pan Am]] and [[Trans World Airlines|TWA]] to fly from Heathrow to designated gateways in the US. In 1991, Pan Am and TWA sold their rights to [[United Airlines]] and [[American Airlines]] respectively, while Virgin Atlantic was added to the list of airlines allowed to operate on these routes. The Bermuda II Air Service Agreement was superseded by a new "[[EU–US Open Skies Agreement|open skies]]" agreement that was signed by the United States and the [[European Union]] on 30 April 2007 and came into effect on 30 March 2008. Shortly afterwards, additional US airlines, including [[Northwest Airlines]], [[Continental Airlines]], [[US Airways]] and [[Delta Air Lines]] started services to Heathrow after previously having to use [[Gatwick Airport]]. Following [[Brexit]], the US and UK signed a new US-UK Air Transport Agreement in November 2020 incorporating the essential elements of Open Skies, which came into effect in March 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Entry Into Force of U.S.-UK Civil Air Transport Agreement |url=https://www.state.gov/entry-into-force-of-u-s-uk-civil-air-transport-agreement/ |access-date=25 April 2023 |ref=usukopenskies |archive-date=4 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504203602/https://www.state.gov/entry-into-force-of-u-s-uk-civil-air-transport-agreement/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The airport was criticised in 2007 for overcrowding and delays;<ref name="Ref_2007">{{cite news |title=BA boss joins attack on Heathrow |work=BBC News |date=1 August 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6926150.stm |access-date=28 October 2007 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517072914/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6926150.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> according to Heathrow Airport Holdings, Heathrow's facilities were originally designed to accommodate 55{{nbsp}}million passengers annually. The number of passengers using the airport reached a record 70{{nbsp}}million in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Heathrow airport hits record 70{{nbsp}}million passengers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21496856 |work=BBC News |date=18 February 2013 |access-date=18 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220100612/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21496856 |archive-date=20 February 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2007 the airport was voted the world's least favourite, alongside [[Chicago O'Hare]], in a [[TripAdvisor]] survey.<ref name="Millward2007">{{cite news|title=Heathrow voted world's least favourite airport|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=30 October 2007|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=/travel/2007/10/30/et-airport-130.xml|access-date=30 October 2007|first=David|last=Millward|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102032553/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=%2Ftravel%2F2007%2F10%2F30%2Fet-airport-130.xml|archive-date=2 November 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the opening of Terminal 5 in 2008 has relieved some pressure on terminal facilities, increasing the airport's terminal capacity to 90{{nbsp}}million passengers per year. A tie-up is also in place with McLaren Applied Technologies to optimise the general procedure, reducing delays and pollution.<ref>{{cite news|title=Work Smarter: McLaren|date=1 March 2010|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/work-smarter-mclaren|magazine=Wired|first=David|last=Rowan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131442/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/work-smarter-mclaren|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

With only two runways operating at over 98% of their capacity, Heathrow has little room for more flights, although the use of larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 has allowed some increase in passenger numbers. It is difficult for existing airlines to obtain landing slots to enable them to increase their services from the airport, or for new airlines to start operations.<ref name="Airport2002">{{cite report|publisher=Airport Coordination Ltd|title=Submission to the CAA Regarding Peak Periods at Heathrow|date=February 2002|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/5/ergdocs/baajan03/acl2baajan03.pdf|access-date=13 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216025742/http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/5/ergdocs/baajan03/acl2baajan03.pdf|archive-date=16 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> To increase the number of flights, Heathrow Airport Holdings has proposed using the existing two runways in 'mixed mode' whereby aircraft would be allowed to take off and land on the same runway. This would increase the airport's capacity from its current 480,000 movements per year to as many as 550,000 according to former British Airways CEO [[Willie Walsh (Irish businessman)|Willie Walsh]].<ref name="Ref_t">{{cite news|url=http://www.uk-airport-news.info/heathrow-airport-news-161206a.htm|title=BA pushes for 'mixed mode' at Heathrow|work=UK Airport News|access-date=31 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212154535/http://www.uk-airport-news.info/heathrow-airport-news-161206a.htm|archive-date=12 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Heathrow Airport Holdings has also proposed building a third runway to the north of the airport, which would significantly increase traffic capacity.<ref name="Webster2007">{{cite news|title=Heathrow is defeated in its attempt to ban environmental campaigners|work=The Times|date=7 August 2007|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/heathrow-is-defeated-in-its-attempt-to-ban-environmental-campaigners-3txcb9tk0sn|access-date=9 August 2007|location=London|first=Ben|last=Webster|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011095332/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2211142.ece|archive-date=11 October 2008|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

===Security===
Policing of the airport is the responsibility of the [[Aviation Security Operational Command Unit|aviation security]], a unit of the [[Metropolitan Police]], although [[the British Army]], including armoured vehicles of the [[Household Cavalry]], has occasionally been deployed at the airport during periods of heightened security.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2003 |title=Soldiers drafted in to increase Heathrow security |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/feb/11/september11.terrorism |access-date=7 May 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> [[Full body scanner]]s are now used at the airport, and passengers who refuse to use them are required to submit to a hand search in a private room.<ref name=scanners/> The scanners display passengers' bodies as cartoon figures, with indicators showing where concealed items may be.<ref name=scanners>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/more/help-with-this-website/faqs/security-and-baggage |title=Security (body) scanners |publisher=Heathrow Airport |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-date=24 March 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102507/https://www.heathrow.com/more/help-with-this-website/faqs/security-and-baggage }}</ref>

For many decades Heathrow had a reputation for theft from baggage by baggage handlers. This led to the airport being nicknamed "Thiefrow", with periodic arrests of baggage handlers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/28/archives/london-tightens-airport-security-scotland-yard-to-take-over-at.html |date=28 May 1974 |access-date=27 May 2021 |title=Scotland Yard to take over responsibility at "Thiefrow" |last=Arbose |first=Jules |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120113059/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/28/archives/london-tightens-airport-security-scotland-yard-to-take-over-at.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/baggage-stealing-gang-seized-6300493.html |title=Heathrow baggage-stealing gang arrested |date=12 April 2012 |publisher=[[The Evening Standard]] |access-date=27 May 2021 |last=Davenport |first=Justin |archive-date=13 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013145239/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/baggage-stealing-gang-seized-6300493.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following the widespread disruption caused by reports of [[Gatwick Airport drone incident|drone sightings at Gatwick Airport]], and a subsequent incident at Heathrow, a drone-detection system was installed airport-wide to attempt to combat disruption caused by the illegal use of drones.<ref>{{cite news |title=Heathrow airport: Drone sighting halts departures |work=BBC News |date=8 January 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46803713 |access-date=18 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/heathrows-picks-new-c-uas-combat-drone-disruption/ |title=Heathrow picks C-UAS to combat drone disruption |access-date=13 March 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109111036/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/heathrows-picks-new-c-uas-combat-drone-disruption/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Terminal 2 ===
[[File:Heathrow T2 central overview.jpg|thumb|[[Heathrow Terminal 2|Terminal 2]] central departures area]]
{{Main|Heathrow Terminal 2}}

The airport's newest terminal, officially known as the Queen's Terminal, was opened on 4 June 2014 and has 24 gates.<ref>{{cite news|title=United is first airline to fly out of Heathrow Airport's new T2|first=Linda|last=Blachly|work=[[Air Transport World]]|date=4 June 2014|url=http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/united-first-airline-fly-out-heathrow-airport-s-new-t2|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604143219/http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/united-first-airline-fly-out-heathrow-airport-s-new-t2|archive-date=4 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Heathrow Terminal 2 named Queen's Terminal|work=BBC News|date=14 June 2013|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22899336|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119052528/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22899336|archive-date=19 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Designed by Spanish architect [[Luis Vidal (architect)|Luis Vidal]], it was built on the site that had been occupied by the original Terminal 2 and the Queens Building.<ref name=BBCT2open>{{cite news|title=Heathrow airport's new Terminal 2 opens to passengers|work=BBC News|date=23 November 2009|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27691651|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420220505/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27691651|archive-date=20 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New London Heathrow T2 opening set for June 4|first=Kurt|last=Hofmann|work=[[Air Transport World]]|date=28 May 2014|url=http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/new-london-heathrow-t2-opening-set-june-4|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529105810/http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/new-london-heathrow-t2-opening-set-june-4|archive-date=29 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The main complex was completed in November 2013 and underwent six months of testing before opening to passengers. It includes a satellite pier (T2B), a 1,340-space car park, and a cooling station to generate chilled water. There are 52 shops and 17 bars and restaurants.<ref>{{cite press release|title=The new Terminal 2: Only one year to go|publisher=Heathrow Airport|date=4 June 2013|url=http://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/details/81/Corporate-operational-24/4142|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102710/http://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/details/81/Corporate-operational-24/4142|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The airlines moved from their original locations over six months, with only 10% of flights operating from there in the first six weeks ([[United Airlines]]' transatlantic flights) to avoid the opening problems seen at Terminal 5. On 4 June 2014, United became the first airline to move into Terminal 2 from Terminals 1 and 4 followed by [[All Nippon Airways]], [[Air Canada]] and [[Air China]] from Terminal 3. [[Air New Zealand]], [[Asiana Airlines]], [[Croatia Airlines]], [[LOT Polish Airlines]], [[South African Airways]], and [[TAP Air Portugal]] moved in on 22 October 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title= Heathrow's Terminal 2 to be opened in stages|work= BBC News|date= 3 June 2014|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27681065|access-date= 4 June 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140604000733/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27681065|archive-date= 4 June 2014|url-status= live}}</ref>

Flights using Terminal 2 primarily originate from northern Europe or western Europe. It is primarily used by [[Star Alliance]] airlines (consolidating the airlines under Star Alliance's co-location policy "Move Under One Roof"). The terminal is also used by a few non-aligned airlines. Terminal 2 is one of the two terminals that operate UK domestic and Irish flights. Although [[Scandinavian Airlines]] is now part of the [[SkyTeam]] alliance as of 1 September, 2024, it still uses Terminal 2.

The original Terminal 2 opened as the Europa Building in 1955 and was the airport's oldest terminal. It had an area of {{convert|49654|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and was designed to handle around 1.2{{nbsp}}million passengers annually. In its final years, it accommodated up to 8{{nbsp}}million. A total of 316{{nbsp}}million passengers passed through the terminal in its lifetime. The building was demolished in 2010, along with the [[Queens Building, Heathrow|Queens Building]] which had housed airline company offices.<ref>{{cite news|title=Demolition work begins at Heathrow's Terminal 2|work=BBC News|date=29 April 2010|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8650872.stm|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426134155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8650872.stm|archive-date=26 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Terminal 3 ===
[[File:Heathrow Airport 010.jpg|thumb|[[Heathrow Terminal 3|Terminal 3]] [[bird's-eye view]]]]
{{Main|Heathrow Terminal 3}}

Terminal 3 opened as the Oceanic Terminal on 13 November 1961 to handle flight departures for long-haul routes for foreign carriers to the United States and Asia.<ref name="BAA History">{{cite news|url=https://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news-and-information/company-information/our-history|title=Our history|publisher=Heathrow Airport Holdings|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713211238/http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news-and-information/company-information/our-history|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> At this time the airport had a direct helicopter service to central London from the gardens on the roof of the terminal building. Renamed Terminal 3 in 1968, it was expanded in 1970 with the addition of an arrivals building. Other facilities added included the UK's first [[moving walkway]]s. In 2006, the new £105{{nbsp}}million Pier 6 was completed<ref name="nqaheu">{{cite news|title=Debut A380 flight lands in London|work=BBC News|date=18 March 2008|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7301455.stm|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321183007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7301455.stm|archive-date=21 March 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> to accommodate the [[Airbus A380]] superjumbo; [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] and [[Qantas]] operate regular flights from Terminal 3 using the Airbus A380.

Redevelopment of Terminal 3's forecourt by the addition of a new four-lane drop-off area and a large pedestrianised plaza, complete with a canopy to the front of the terminal building, was completed in 2007. These improvements were intended to improve passengers' experience, reduce traffic congestion and improve security.<ref name="Ref_y">{{cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/baa-heathrow-unveils-plans-to-re-develop-terminal-3-155771575.html|title=BAA Heathrow unveils plans to re-develop Terminal 3|publisher=BAA|date=15 February 2007|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625163412/http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/baa-heathrow-unveils-plans-to-re-develop-terminal-3-155771575.html|archive-date=25 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of this project, [[Virgin Atlantic]] was assigned its dedicated check-in area, known as 'Zone A', which features a large sculpture and atrium.

{{As of|2013}}, Terminal 3 has an area of {{convert|98962|m2|abbr=on}} with 28 gates, and in 2011 it handled 19.8{{nbsp}}million passengers on 104,100{{nbsp}}flights.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news-and-information/company-information/facts-and-figures |title=Heathrow facts and figures |publisher=Heathrow Airport Limited |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705154826/http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news-and-information/company-information/facts-and-figures |archive-date=5 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Most flights from Terminal 3 are long-haul flights from North America, Asia and other foreign countries other than Europe. Terminal 3 is home to [[Oneworld]] members (with the exception of [[Malaysia Airlines]], [[Qatar Airways]] and [[Royal Air Maroc]], all of which use Terminal 4), [[SkyTeam]] members [[Aeroméxico]], [[China Airlines]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Middle East Airlines]], [[Virgin Atlantic]], and several long haul unaffiliated carriers. [[British Airways]] also operates several flights from this terminal, as do [[Iberia]] and [[Vueling]].

=== Terminal 4 ===
[[File:Heathrow LON 04 07 77.JPG|thumb|[[Heathrow Terminal 4|Terminal 4]] bird's-eye view]]
{{Main|Heathrow Terminal 4}}
Opened in 1986, Terminal 4 has 22 gates.<ref>{{cite web |title=Terminal 4 Map London Heathrow Airport LHR |url=https://www.ifly.com/airports/london-heathrow-airport/terminal-map/Terminal-4-map |website=ifly.com |publisher=Red Cirrus, LLC |access-date=6 February 2025}}</ref> It is situated to the south of the southern runway next to the cargo terminal and is connected to Terminals 2 and 3 by the [[Heathrow Cargo Tunnel]]. The terminal has an area of {{convert|105481|m2|abbr=on}} and is now home to the [[SkyTeam]] alliance; except [[Scandinavian Airlines]] which uses Terminal 2, and [[China Airlines]], [[Aeroméxico]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Middle East Airlines]], and [[Virgin Atlantic]] which use Terminal 3. This terminal is also the base for several Oneworld carriers such as [[Malaysia Airlines]], [[Qatar Airways]], and [[Royal Air Maroc]],  besides few unaffiliated carriers such as [[Etihad Airways]], [[Gulf Air]], and [[Royal Brunei Airlines]]. It has undergone a £200{{nbsp}}million upgrade to enable it to accommodate 45{{nbsp}}airlines with an upgraded forecourt to reduce traffic congestion and improve security. Most flights using Terminal 4 are those from/to East Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East as well as a few flights from/to Europe. An extended check-in area with renovated piers and departure lounges and a new baggage system were installed, and four new stands were built to accommodate the Airbus A380; [[Qatar Airways]] operates regular A380 flights.

=== Terminal 5 ===
[[File:Heathrow Airport 014.jpg|thumb|[[Heathrow Terminal 5|Terminal 5]] bird's-eye view]]
[[File:Heathrow Terminal 5C Iwelumo-1.jpg|thumb|British Airways aircraft at [[Heathrow Terminal 5|Terminal 5C]]]]
[[File:TerminalFiveAirportHeathrowAugust2012.JPG|thumb|Central waiting area in [[Heathrow Terminal 5|Terminal 5]]]]
{{Main|Heathrow Terminal 5}}
Terminal 5 lies between the northern and southern runways at the western end of the Heathrow site and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 March 2008,<ref name="Ref_2008b">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7294618.stm|title=Queen opens new Heathrow Terminal|date=14 March 2008|access-date=23 March 2018|work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201092823/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7294618.stm|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 19 years after its inception; then it opened to the public on 27 March 2008.   British Airways and its partner company Iberia have exclusive use of this terminal, which has 50{{nbsp}}gates,{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} including three hardstands. The first passenger to enter Terminal 5 was a UK [[ex-pat]] from Kenya who passed through security at 04:30 on the day. He was presented with a boarding pass by British Airways CEO Willie Walsh for the first departing flight, BA302 to Paris. During the two weeks after its opening, operations were disrupted by problems with the terminal's IT systems, coupled with insufficient testing and staff training, which caused over 500 flights to be cancelled.<ref name="Ref_2008c">{{cite news|title=British Airways reveals what went wrong with Terminal 5|work=Computer Weekly|url=http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240086013/British-Airways-reveals-what-went-wrong-with-Terminal-5|date=14 May 2008|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307033642/http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240086013/British-Airways-reveals-what-went-wrong-with-Terminal-5|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Terminal 5 is exclusively used by British Airways as its global hub. However, because of the merger, between 25 March 2012 and 12 July 2022, [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia's]] operations at Heathrow were moved to the terminal, making it the home of [[International Airlines Group]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/2012/02/08/iberia-to-move-to-heathrow-t5/|title=Iberia to move to Heathrow T5|date=8 February 2012|work=Business Traveller|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027232443/https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/2012/02/08/iberia-to-move-to-heathrow-t5/|archive-date=27 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 July 2022, Iberia's flight operations were moved back to Terminal 3. On 7 July 2020, [[American Airlines|American]] moved to Terminal 5, to allow for easier connections from American's transatlantic flights to British Airways flights during the pandemic. [[China Southern Airlines]] used Terminal 5 due to the pandemic until it was relocated to Terminal 4 in November 2022.

Built for £4.3{{nbsp}}billion, the terminal consists of a four-story main terminal building (Concourse A) and two satellite buildings linked to the main terminal by an underground [[people mover]] transit system. Concourse A is dedicated to British Airways's narrowbody fleet for flights around the UK and the rest of Europe, the first satellite (Concourse B) includes dedicated stands for BA and Iberia's widebody fleet except for the Airbus A380, and the second satellite (Concourse C), includes 7 dedicated aircraft stands for the A380. It became fully operational on 1 June 2011. Terminal 5 was voted [[Skytrax]] World's Best Airport Terminal 2014 in the Annual World Airport Awards.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Andy|first1=Ivy|title=Londen Heathrow|access-date=23 March 2018|url=http://vliegveldlonden.nl/londen-heathrow/|website=Vliegveld Londen|language=nl|date=1 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201045031/http://vliegveldlonden.nl/londen-heathrow/|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The main terminal building (Concourse A) has an area of {{Convert|300000|m2|sqft}} while Concourse B covers {{Convert|60000|m2|sqft}}.<ref name="Ref_2011b">{{cite web|title=Heathrow Terminal 5|url=http://www.richardrogers.co.uk/Asp/uploadedFiles/Image/1065_t5/RSHP_A_JS_1065_L_E_GB.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719200525/http://www.richardrogers.co.uk/Asp/uploadedFiles/Image/1065_t5/RSHP_A_JS_1065_L_E_GB.pdf|archive-date=19 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has 60 aircraft stands and capacity for 30{{nbsp}}million passengers annually as well as more than 100{{nbsp}}shops and restaurants.<ref>{{cite news|title=Heathrow Terminal 5: The Vital Statistics|publisher=Sky News|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/200806413649522|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712100254/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/200806413649522|archive-date=12 July 2012|date=15 March 2008|access-date=7 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is also home to British Airways' Flagship lounge, the Concorde Room, alongside four further British Airways branded lounges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thriftypoints.com/british-airways-first-class-review/|title=British Airways First Class Flight Review – Fly BA First Class for free!|access-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328005054/https://thriftypoints.com/british-airways-first-class-review/|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> One of those lounges is the British Airways Arrivals Lounge which is located land-side.

A further building, designated Concourse D and of similar size to Concourse C, may yet be built to the east of the existing site, providing up to another 16{{nbsp}}stands. Following British Airways' merger with [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]], this may become a priority since the combined business will require accommodation at Heathrow under one roof to maximise the cost savings envisaged under the deal. A proposal for Concourse D was featured in Heathrow's Capital Investment Plan 2009.

The transport network around the airport has been extended to cope with the increase in passenger numbers. New branches of both the [[Heathrow Express]] and the Underground's Piccadilly line serve a new shared [[Heathrow Terminal 5 station]]. A dedicated [[spur route|motorway spur]] links the terminal to the M25 (between junctions 14 and 15). The terminal has 3,800{{nbsp}}spaces [[multi-storey car park]]. A more distant long-stay car park for business passengers is connected to the terminal by a [[personal rapid transit]] system, the [[London Heathrow Terminal 5 PRT|Heathrow Pod]], which became operational in the spring of 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heathrow Pod Self Guided Tour Instructions |url=http://www.ultraglobalprt.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Ultra_SelfTour2.pdf |website=ultraglobalprt.com |publisher=Ultra Global PRT |access-date=30 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326034128/http://www.ultraglobalprt.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Ultra_SelfTour2.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> An [[automated people mover]] (APM) system, known as the [[Heathrow Terminal 5 Transit|Transit]], transports airside passengers between the main terminal building and the satellite concourses.<ref name="bombardier-heathrow">{{cite web |title=INNOVIA APM Automated People Mover System – London Heathrow, UK – the United Kingdom – Bombardier |url=https://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.innovia-london-uk.html |website=Bombardier |access-date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331113703/https://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.innovia-london-uk.html |archive-date=31 March 2014 |date=31 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Terminal assignments===
As of 2025, Heathrow's four passenger terminals are assigned as follows:<ref>[https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/terminal-guides/which-terminal heathrow.com - Which terminal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224143225/https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/terminal-guides/which-terminal |date=24 December 2024 }} retrieved 6 January 2025</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Terminal
!Airlines and alliances
|-
|'''{{nowrap|[[Heathrow Terminal 2|Terminal 2]]}}'''
|[[Star Alliance]] and several non-aligned airlines<!--DO NOT STATE ALL AIRLINES AS THIS VIOLATES WP:NOTRAVEL-->
|-
|'''[[Heathrow Terminal 3|Terminal 3]]'''
|[[Oneworld]] (except Iberia, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Air Maroc and Qatar Airways), [[British Airways]] (some destinations), [[Virgin Atlantic]] and several non-aligned airlines<!--DO NOT STATE ANY MORE AIRLINES AS THIS VIOLATES WP:NOTRAVEL-->
|-
|'''[[Heathrow Terminal 4|Terminal 4]]'''
|[[SkyTeam]] (except Aeromėxico, China Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Middle East Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and Virgin Atlantic) as well as most non-aligned airlines<!--DO NOT STATE ANY MORE AIRLINES AS THIS VIOLATES WP:NOTRAVEL-->
|-
|'''[[Heathrow Terminal 5|Terminal 5]]'''
|[[British Airways]] (most destinations) and [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]] 
|}

Following the opening of Terminal 5 in March 2008, a complex programme of terminal moves was implemented. This saw many airlines move to be grouped in terminals by [[airline alliance]] as far as possible.<ref name="Ref_ad">{{Cite journal |date=2007 |title=Heathrow looks ahead |journal=Airports |publisher=Key Publishing |volume=September/October |page=30}}</ref>

Following the opening of Phase 1 of the new Terminal 2 in June 2014, all Star Alliance member airlines<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldairlinenews.com/2014/06/04/terminal-2-opens-as-the-star-alliance-terminal-at-london-heathrow-airport/|title=Terminal 2 opens as the Star Alliance terminal at London Heathrow Airport|work=World Airline News|date=4 June 2014|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523052442/http://worldairlinenews.com/2014/06/04/terminal-2-opens-as-the-star-alliance-terminal-at-london-heathrow-airport/|archive-date=23 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> (with the exception of new member [[Air India]] which moved in early 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2017/01/26/air-india-re-locates-heathrow-t2/|title=Air India re-locates at Heathrow T2 – Business Traveller – The leading magazine for frequent flyers|date=26 January 2017|publisher=Business Traveler|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165003/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2017/01/26/air-india-re-locates-heathrow-t2/|archive-date=11 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>) along with Aer Lingus and Germanwings relocated to Terminal 2 in a phased process completed on 22 October 2014. Additionally, by 30 June 2015 all airlines left Terminal 1 in preparation for its demolition to make room for the construction of Phase 2 of Terminal 2.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-33309025|title=London Heathrow Airport bids farewell to Terminal 1|newspaper=BBC News|date=29 June 2015|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618194402/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-33309025|archive-date=18 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Some other airlines made further minor moves at a later point, e.g. [[Delta Air Lines]] merging all departures in Terminal 3 instead of a split between Terminals 3 and 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/airlines/2016/08/22/delta-move-heathrow-services-t3/|title=Delta to move all Heathrow services to Terminal 3 – Business Traveller – The leading magazine for frequent flyers|date=22 August 2016|publisher=Business Traveler|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165033/https://www.businesstraveller.com/airlines/2016/08/22/delta-move-heathrow-services-t3/|archive-date=11 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Iberia moved to Terminal 5 on 1 June 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iberia Returns to London-Heathrow Terminal 5 |url=https://grupo.iberia.com/pressrelease/details/16401 |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=Iberia |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903003629/https://grupo.iberia.com/pressrelease/details/16401 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Terminal usage during the COVID-19 pandemic ====
Heathrow Airport has four terminals with a total of 115 gates, 66 of which can support wide-body aircraft and 24 gates that can support an [[Airbus A380]]. Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Heathrow's services were sharply reduced. It announced that as of 6 April 2020, the airport would be transitioning to single-runway operations and that it would be temporarily closing Terminals 3 and 4, moving all remaining flights into Terminals 2 or 5.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 April 2020 |title=Heathrow remains open for the UK |url=https://www.heathrow.com/latest-news/heathrow-remains-open-for-the-uk |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=Heathrow |publisher=LHR Airports Limited |archive-date=17 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517110126/https://www.heathrow.com/latest-news/heathrow-remains-open-for-the-uk |url-status=live }}</ref> Dual runway operations were restored in August 2020. Heathrow returned to single-runway operations on 9 November 2020. On 11 December 2020, Heathrow announced Terminal 4 would be shut until the end of 2021.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 July 2020|title=Heathrow Airport Won't Open All Terminals Until 2021|url=https://www.wltz.com/2020/07/15/heathrow-airport-wont-open-all-terminals-until-2021/|access-date=14 November 2020|website=WLTZ|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815053628/https://www.wltz.com/2020/07/15/heathrow-airport-wont-open-all-terminals-until-2021/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Terminal 4 was used sporadically during 2021 for [[Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020#Red list countries and hotel quarantine (from 15 February 2021)|red list]] passengers who would be subject to mandatory hotel quarantine.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.sky.com/story/heathrow-airport-reopens-terminal-4-to-process-arrivals-from-covid-red-list-countries-12483831 | title=Heathrow Airport reopens Terminal 4 to process arrivals from COVID red list countries | access-date=14 March 2024 | archive-date=14 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314092459/https://news.sky.com/story/heathrow-airport-reopens-terminal-4-to-process-arrivals-from-covid-red-list-countries-12483831 | url-status=live }}</ref> Terminal 3 was reopened for use by Virgin Atlantic and Delta on 15 July 2021, and Terminal 4 was reopened to normal operations on 14 June 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 July 2021|title=Britain's Heathrow Airport reopens Terminal 3 ahead of travel pick-up|work=Reuters|location=London|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-heathrow-airport-reopens-terminal-3-ahead-travel-pick-up-2021-07-05/|access-date=9 August 2021|archive-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163419/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-heathrow-airport-reopens-terminal-3-ahead-travel-pick-up-2021-07-05/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=14 June 2022|title=London Heathrow: Airport reopens Terminal 4 after Covid closure|website=BBC News|location=London|publisher=BBC English Regions|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-61794676|access-date=19 July 2022|archive-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170615/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-61794676|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Former Terminal 1===
{{Main|Heathrow Terminal 1}}
Terminal 1 opened in 1968 and was inaugurated by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] in April 1969.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/details/81/Corporate-operational-24/4711|title=Heathrow – Heathrow bids farewell to Terminal 1|publisher=Heathrow|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310195758/http://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/details/81/Corporate-operational-24/4711|archive-date=10 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ref_w">''Above Us The Skies: The Story of BAA'' – 1991 (Michael Donne – BAA plc), p. 40</ref> Terminal 1 was the Heathrow base for British Airways' domestic and European network and a few of its long haul routes before Terminal 5 opened. The acquisition of [[British Midland International]] (BMI) in 2012 by British Airways' owner [[International Airlines Group]] meant British Airways took over BMI's short-haul and medium-haul destinations from the terminal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Walton|first=John|title=British Airways takes over, rebrands BMI lounge at Heathrow T1|url=https://www.ausbt.com.au/british-airways-takes-over-rebrands-bmi-lounge-at-heathrow-t1|access-date=23 March 2018|work=Australian Business Traveller|date=31 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711064349/https://www.ausbt.com.au/british-airways-takes-over-rebrands-bmi-lounge-at-heathrow-t1|archive-date=11 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Terminal 1 was also the main base for most [[Star Alliance]] members though some were also based at Terminal 3. Prior to the opening of Terminal 5, all domestic and [[Common Travel Area]] departures and arrivals needed to use Terminal 1, which had separate departure piers for these flights.

Terminal 1 closed at the end of June 2015, and the site is now being used to extend Terminal 2<ref>{{cite news|title=Heathrow Terminal One deserted ahead of closure next month|url=http://www.itv.com/news/london/2015-05-28/heathrow-terminal-one-deserted-ahead-of-closure-next-month/|access-date=23 March 2018|work=ITV News|date=28 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315202357/http://www.itv.com/news/london/2015-05-28/heathrow-terminal-one-deserted-ahead-of-closure-next-month/|archive-date=15 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> which opened in June 2014. A number of the newer gates used by Terminal 1 were built as part of the Terminal 2 development and are being retained.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Calder|first1=Simon|title=Heathrow and Gatwick: Terminal confusion at London's airports|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/heathrow-and-gatwick-terminal-confusion-at-londons-airports-9997793.html|access-date=23 March 2018|work=The Independent|date=23 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107154727/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/heathrow-and-gatwick-terminal-confusion-at-londons-airports-9997793.html|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Paylor|first=Anne|title=London Heathrow turns out the lights in Terminal 1|url=http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/london-heathrow-turns-out-lights-terminal-1|publisher=[[Air Transport World]]|date=29 June 2015|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630124041/http://atwonline.com/airports-routes/london-heathrow-turns-out-lights-terminal-1|archive-date=30 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The last tenants along with [[British Airways]] were [[El Al]], [[Icelandair]] (moved to Terminal 2 on 25 March 2015) and [[LATAM Brasil]] (the third to move in to Terminal 3 on 27 May 2015). British Airways was the last operator in Terminal 1. Two flights of this carrier, one departing to [[Hanover]] and one arriving from [[Baku]], marked the terminal closure on 29 June 2015. British Airways operations have been relocated to Terminals 3 and 5.<ref name="Heathrow shuts doors on Terminal 1 flights">{{cite news|title=Heathrow shuts doors on Terminal 1 flights|first=James|last=Mellon|location=London|work=[[Flightglobal]]|date=30 June 2015|access-date=23 March 2018|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heathrow-shuts-doors-on-terminal-1-flights-414153/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715015351/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/heathrow-shuts-doors-on-terminal-1-flights-414153/|archive-date=15 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>