Lois Larson
Heathrow Airport, also known as London Heathrow Airport, is the primary and largest international airport serving London, England, and the United Kingdom. Located in the west of the city, in the London borough of Hillingdon, Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe and among the busiest in the world based on passenger traffic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| City | London |
| Location in London | West of the city, in the borough of Hillingdon |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Number of terminals | 4 passenger terminals, 1 cargo terminal |
| Number of airlines | Over 89 |
| Number of destinations | 214 in 84 countries |
| Busiest year | 2019, with 80.9 million passengers |
| Busiest destination | New York, with over 3 million passengers in 2021 |
| Previous names | Great West Aerodrome, Heathrow Aerodrome, London Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Heathrow Airport is in London, UK
Heathrow Airport first opened in 1946, though its history can be traced back to 1930 when it was a private airfield. It was originally known as London Airport, or the Great West Aerodrome, and was renamed Heathrow Airport in 1966. The airport has been continually developed and expanded over the years, with new terminals, runways, and infrastructure added to accommodate the growing demand for air travel.
Located in the west of London, in the borough of Hillingdon, Heathrow is conveniently placed for easy access from the city and surrounding areas. The airport is well-connected to the London transport network, with the Piccadilly line providing a direct link to the city centre. Heathrow is also easily accessible by road, with the M25 motorway providing a direct link to much of the country.
Heathrow Airport is a major international aviation hub, serving over 80 airlines and offering flights to over 200 destinations worldwide. In 2021, Heathrow served 19.4 million passengers, with 17 million international and 2.4 million domestic travellers. The airport's busiest year on record was 2019, when 80.9 million passengers travelled through its terminals. Heathrow is the UK's largest port by value, with a network of over 218 worldwide destinations.
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It was founded as a small airfield in 1930
Heathrow Airport, also known as London Heathrow Airport, is an international airport located in London, England, United Kingdom. It is the largest and busiest airport in the UK and Europe, and it is among the busiest airports in the world based on passenger traffic. With a network of over 218 destinations worldwide, it is the UK's largest port by value.
Heathrow Airport was founded as a small airfield in 1930. In its early years, it was known as the Great West Aerodrome or Heathrow Aerodrome. The first known mention of the name Heathrow was in 1410, referring to a semi-rural lane that divided farmland and heath. In 1819, the heath was turned into farmland, and the lane ended up dividing the hamlet of Harmondsworth from the highwaymen's lair of Hounslow Heath. The latter is roughly centred where Terminal 3 is located today.
In 1915, Fairey Aviation, founded by British aero-engineer and plane builder Richard Fairey, began assembling and flight-testing aircraft from the Northolt Aerodrome, situated about six miles north of the present-day Heathrow Airport. During the early 1930s, Fairey Aviation constructed a hangar at Heathrow, which was completed in 1930. This hangar was used as the Heathrow Airport fire station and as an advertising backdrop for BOAC. It was eventually demolished in 1964.
During World War II, Heathrow was used for military purposes, and several bombers were diverted there. After the war, Heathrow was developed into a much larger international airport. By the early 1950s, it had six runways arranged in a hexagram shape, with the permanent passenger terminal in the middle. Heathrow Airport has continued to expand and now boasts four passenger terminals and a cargo terminal.
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It is the UK's largest and busiest airport
Heathrow Airport, also known as London Heathrow Airport, is the UK's largest and busiest airport. It is located in the west of London, in the borough of Hillingdon. Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways and the main operating base of Virgin Atlantic. The airport has two runways and four operational terminal buildings, numbered 2 to 5. Terminal 1 was closed in June 2015.
Heathrow is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system, which also includes Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City, and Southend. It is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, following the privatisation of the British Airports Authority.
Heathrow is one of the world's busiest airports, serving 80.9 million passengers in 2019, its busiest year on record. In 2021, Heathrow served 19.4 million passengers, with 17 million international and 2.4 million domestic. The airport is served by over 89 airlines, flying to 214 destinations in 84 countries.
Heathrow is the UK's largest port by value, with a network of over 218 destinations worldwide. New York is the busiest single destination in passenger numbers, with over three million passengers flying between Heathrow and JFK Airport in 2021.
Heathrow was founded as a small airfield in 1930 and developed into a much larger airport after World War II. It has since become a major global travel hub, employing over 90,000 people and contributing significantly to the UK's economy.
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Heathrow Airport has four passenger terminals
Heathrow Airport, also known as London Heathrow Airport, is the primary and largest international airport serving London, England, and the United Kingdom. It is the busiest airport in Europe and one of the busiest in the world by passenger traffic. Heathrow Airport plays a crucial role in connecting London to the rest of the world, catering to travellers from all corners of the globe.
Terminal 2, also known as The Queen's Terminal, is a modern facility that opened in 2014. It is home to Star Alliance, housing airlines such as United Airlines, Air Canada, and LOT Polish Airlines. This terminal offers a wide range of dining and shopping options, including well-known brands and luxury retailers. It also provides convenient services like currency exchange and luggage storage.
Terminal 3, located near the original Heathrow village area, primarily serves long-haul flights from North America, Asia, and other international destinations outside Europe. It is the base for Oneworld members, with the exception of a few airlines that operate from Terminal 4. Terminal 3 offers a diverse range of dining options, including British, Asian, and international cuisine. Passengers can also find duty-free shopping, lounges, and other amenities to enhance their travel experience.
Terminal 4, situated south of the southern runway, was opened in 1986 and is home to the SkyTeam alliance. It has 22 gates and provides easy connections to other terminals via the Heathrow Cargo Tunnel. Terminal 4 offers a variety of dining and shopping options, ensuring that passengers have a range of choices before their flights.
Terminal 5, the most recent addition to Heathrow Airport, is the exclusive domain of British Airways, serving as its primary hub. It is a spacious and technologically advanced terminal, offering efficient check-in processes and a seamless travel experience. Terminal 5 boasts an impressive selection of restaurants, cafes, and shops, catering to the diverse tastes and preferences of its many passengers.
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It is the primary hub of British Airways
Heathrow Airport, also known as London Heathrow Airport, is the primary hub of British Airways. Located in the west of London, in the borough of Hillingdon, Heathrow is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system. It is the UK's largest and busiest airport, serving 19.4 million passengers in 2021, with a record-breaking 80.9 million passengers in 2019. Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways, which operates from Terminals 3 and 5, and is the dominant carrier at the airport, holding 50-51% of the slots available.
British Airways has a major presence at Heathrow, with exclusive use of Terminal 5, which has 50 gates, including three hardstands. The airline also operates some flights from Terminal 3 due to capacity issues at Terminal 5. Terminal 5 offers pre-flight dining with waiter service in the exclusive Concorde Room lounge, and British Airways 'Galleries First' lounges are available at some airports. The airline provides a range of services at Heathrow, including buy-on-board food options, Wi-Fi, and business lounges.
Heathrow Airport serves as a gateway for British Airways' worldwide destinations, with flights to over 214 destinations in 84 countries. The busiest single destination in passenger numbers is New York, with over three million passengers flying between Heathrow and JFK Airport in 2021. British Airways played a significant role in this route, generating over US$1 billion on this air route in a year from 2017 to 2018.
As the primary hub, Heathrow Airport holds a strategic importance for British Airways, contributing to its position as the second-largest UK-based carrier in terms of fleet size and passenger numbers. The airline's presence at Heathrow, alongside its headquarters near the airport, reinforces its strong association with the United Kingdom's aviation industry.
Overall, Heathrow Airport, as the primary hub of British Airways, facilitates the airline's extensive global network, offering diverse travel options to millions of passengers each year.
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Frequently asked questions
Heathrow Airport is in England, United Kingdom.
The IATA code for Heathrow Airport is LHR.
Heathrow Airport has two runways.
Heathrow Airport serves 214 destinations in 84 countries.
