Roberta Aguirre
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest and busiest airport in the UK. Located 14 miles west of London, it is the primary hub for British Airways and the main operating base of Virgin Atlantic. The airport currently caters to 86 airlines serving 193 destinations and has 2 runways. Heathrow Airport opened in 1929 as a small airfield and has since grown to become one of the largest and busiest airport hubs in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Heathrow Airport |
| Colloquial Name | London Heathrow Airport |
| Former Name | London Airport |
| Airport Code | LHR |
| Owner | Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited |
| Operator | Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited |
| Owner of Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited | FGP Topco Limited |
| Consortium Led by | Ardian |
| Number of Terminals | 4 operational terminal buildings |
| Terminals | Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, Terminal 5 |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Number of Airlines | 80 |
| Number of Destinations | 180+ |
| Number of Passengers | 72 million |
| Year of Opening | 1929 |
| Year of Becoming Civil Airport | 1946 |
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What You'll Learn
Heathrow Airport Holdings
Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR) is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, formerly known as BAA. The company was renamed Heathrow Airport Holdings in 2012 to reflect Heathrow as its main business. Heathrow Airport Holdings is owned by FGP Topco Limited, a consortium led by Ardian (22.61%) and the Qatar Investment Authority (20.00%).
Heathrow Airport itself was founded as a small airfield in 1930 but was expanded into a much larger airport after World War II. Today, it is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system, which also includes Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City, and Southend. Heathrow is the primary and largest international airport serving London, the capital and most populous city in the United Kingdom.
The airport's Terminal 5 was voted Skytrax World's Best Airport Terminal in 2014. The terminal has an area of 300,000 square meters and can accommodate 30 million passengers annually. There are also plans to build an additional concourse, Concourse D, which would provide up to 16 more aircraft stands.
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London's aviation hub
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is Britain's aviation hub. Located 14 miles west of London, in the borough of Hillingdon, it is the UK's largest and busiest airport. It is also the busiest airport in Europe and the fourth busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. Heathrow Airport serves as the primary hub for British Airways and the main operating base for Virgin Atlantic. Approximately 80 airlines fly from Heathrow, taking passengers to over 180 destinations worldwide.
Heathrow Airport was founded in 1929 as a small airfield and has since grown into a bustling airport with two runways and four operational terminal buildings. The airport covers an area of over 1,200 hectares and is a significant hub for both passenger flights and freight services. It is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, which was previously known as the British Airports Authority before its privatisation.
The airport has undergone significant development over the years, with Terminal 5 being voted the Skytrax World's Best Airport Terminal in 2014. Heathrow's Terminal 2, also known as The Queen's Terminal, opened in 2014, and redevelopment work is currently underway. The airport boasts a wide range of shopping and dining options, with the international departures lounge featuring a multi-storey shopping complex and several restaurants and cafes.
Heathrow Airport plays a crucial role in international travel, offering the most international connections globally in 2024. Inbound aircraft typically follow Standard Arrival Routes (STARs) and utilise specific "stacks" to manage air traffic efficiently. These stacks are sections of airspace where aircraft can be held until cleared for their final approach. Heathrow's transport network has been expanded to accommodate the growing number of passengers, with new branches of the Heathrow Express and the Underground's Piccadilly line serving the airport.
Heathrow Airport has come a long way since its early days as a small airfield. With its continuous development and expansion, it continues to serve as a vital aviation hub for London and the world, facilitating travel and connecting people from all corners of the globe.
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Terminal 5
LHR stands for London Heathrow Airport, the primary and largest international airport serving London, England, and the United Kingdom. Heathrow Airport Holdings, formerly BAA, owns and operates the airport.
Heathrow Terminal 5, also known as "the Queen's Terminal", is a terminal at Heathrow Airport, the main airport serving London. It is made up of three buildings: Terminal 5A, Terminal 5B, and Terminal 5C. Terminal 5 was designed to handle 72.29 million passengers annually and is used as one of the three global hubs of IAG, served by British Airways, Iberia, and American Airlines.
On the day of its opening, Terminal 5 experienced operational issues, forcing British Airways to cancel 34 flights and suspend baggage check-in. Over the following 10 days, 42,000 bags failed to travel with their owners, and over 500 flights were cancelled. The difficulties were later attributed to problems with the terminal's IT systems and car parking.
The terminal has a seamless check-in process, with hosted self-service touchpoints and bag drops. Passengers can also pre-book priority security services and stay connected with wireless broadband (WiFi). Terminal 5 provides easy access to B and C gates through a transit train or a moving walkway, with a journey time of approximately 20 minutes.
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Runway expansion
Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR, ICAO: EGLL), also colloquially known as London Heathrow Airport, is the primary and largest international airport serving London, England, and the United Kingdom. It is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited (formerly BAA).
London Heathrow Airport has been pursuing a third runway project to address capacity constraints and enhance operational efficiency. The proposal for the third runway, which was initially planned to be 2,200 meters long, has faced a lengthy and contentious history. The expansion was first cancelled in May 2010 by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, but subsequent developments have kept the project alive.
In June 2018, the House of Commons voted in favor of the third runway, with 415 votes for and 119 against. This decision was met with opposition from local communities, advocacy groups, and prominent individuals, including the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who launched a judicial review of the decision. The project encountered delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about investment costs, causing a stall in 2023.
However, as of June 2024, the third runway remains in the plans, with a projected completion date around 2040. Heathrow Airport Holdings has expressed intentions to submit their plans to the government, aiming to have the third runway operational before the end of the next UK parliamentary term. The expansion is expected to cost billions and is intended to be 100% privately funded.
The addition of a third runway at Heathrow Airport is anticipated to bring significant improvements for passengers, including more direct flights, reduced congestion, and an enhanced overall experience. Nevertheless, the project continues to face regulatory and environmental challenges, with opposition arguing that it will increase carbon emissions and hinder the UK's ability to meet its climate targets.
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Airport history
Heathrow Airport, also known as London Heathrow Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in the United Kingdom. It is the primary and largest international airport serving London, with flights to over 200 destinations in more than 80 countries. Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic and is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, following the privatisation of the British Airports Authority in 1987.
Heathrow Airport's history began in 1929 when Fairey Aviation, founded by British aero-engineer and plane builder Richard Fairey, bought 148 acres of farmland in the village of Harmondsworth, about 14 miles west of London. The land cost around £1,500, at the typical 1929 market rate of £10 per acre. Here, Fairey Aviation built a private airport for assembling and testing aircraft, called the Great West Aerodrome, which consisted of a single grass runway and a few small buildings.
During World War II, the British government requisitioned Fairey's airstrip and the nearby village of Heath Row, from which the airport later derived its name. The Royal Air Force (RAF) took over the airfield, christening it RAF Heston, and began demolishing the village. New runways and a new control tower were built to replace the rudimentary setup, and Heston served as a base for long-range flights carrying troops to Asia.
After World War II, when the RAF no longer needed the airfield, it was transferred to the Air Ministry as a civil airport. It was renamed London Airport on 1 January 1946 and opened its first passenger flight the same year. At this time, the airport still had no permanent buildings, and the terminals were former military tents. In the late 1980s and 1990s, following privatisation, BAA expanded the proportion of terminal space allocated to retail activities and invested heavily in retail development.
Heathrow Airport has continued to expand and develop over the years, with the addition of new terminals and infrastructure. Today, it is a modern, international airport, serving millions of passengers each year and offering connections to destinations worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
LHR stands for London Heathrow Airport.
Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the UK, serving 72 million passengers and 80-90 airlines annually. It is also the busiest airport in Europe and the fourth busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic.
Heathrow Airport currently has five terminals, with Terminal 2 undergoing redevelopment.
Heathrow Airport offers a wide range of shopping and dining options, both before and after security.
Heathrow Airport is accessible via the Heathrow Express, the Underground's Piccadilly line, and several bus routes.
