Ruth Haines
London is served by six international airports, handling over 177 million passengers in 2024, more than any other city. Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest and busiest airport in London, the UK, and Europe. It is located in the west of the city, in the London borough of Hillingdon, and hosts two runways and four operational terminal buildings. Heathrow handles over 83 million passengers annually, with 86 airlines operating and serving flights to and from 171 destinations.
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What You'll Learn
Heathrow is the busiest airport in London, the UK, and Europe
Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest and busiest airport in London, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Located in the west of the city, in the London borough of Hillingdon, Heathrow is approximately 23 kilometres from London's city centre. The airport has four operational terminal buildings (Terminals 2, 4, 5, and the newly opened Terminal 1 in 2014) and two runways. Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways, and the main operating base of Virgin Atlantic.
Heathrow Airport serves both domestic and international flights, connecting passengers to various destinations worldwide. Approximately 80 to 86 airlines fly from London Heathrow, offering flights to over 170 destinations in Europe and beyond. In 2018, Heathrow handled a record-breaking 80.1 million passengers, almost double the number of passengers that visited London's second-busiest airport, Gatwick, in the same year. Heathrow's passenger capacity often exceeds its limit, resulting in overcrowding and flight delays.
The airport has won several awards, including the International Airport Review award in the "Security" category in 2017. Heathrow has also implemented several initiatives to enhance the passenger experience, such as retail services and a COVID-19 response plan to ensure the safety and confidence of travellers.
Heathrow Airport is easily accessible from central London via the Heathrow Express, which offers a quick 15-minute route to Paddington Station. For a more economical option, passengers can opt for the Tube or stopping trains, although these options take significantly longer.
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Heathrow has four terminals
Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest airport in London and the busiest in the United Kingdom. It is located in the west of the city, in the London borough of Hillingdon. Heathrow is also the busiest airport in Europe and the seventh busiest in the world, handling over 80 million passengers annually.
Heathrow Airport currently has three active terminals: Terminals 2, 4, and 5. Terminal 1 closed in 2015, 47 years after it first opened. Terminal 3, which opened in 1961, was the first building of the current terminals to open. At that time, the airport was known as London Airport and only became Heathrow five years later.
Terminal 2, also known as the Queen's Terminal, opened in 2014, while Terminal 5 opened in 2008. Terminal 5 is one of the largest freestanding buildings globally and was built specifically for British Airways. It is the largest and most modern terminal, with most British Airways flights departing from there.
Heathrow Airport's planned expansion will continue well into 2030, including enhancements to Terminal 2. The airport serves as the primary hub for British Airways and the main operating base for Virgin Atlantic. Approximately 80 to 86 airlines fly from Heathrow, taking passengers to over 170 destinations worldwide.
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Heathrow is second-closest to London's centre
Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the busiest airport in London, the United Kingdom, and Europe. It is located in the west of London, in the borough of Hillingdon, and is approximately 23 kilometres from the city centre. Heathrow is the second-closest of London's six airports to the centre, with London City Airport being the nearest.
Heathrow is a major hub for air travel, serving over 80 million passengers annually and offering flights to over 180 destinations worldwide. The airport has three to five active terminals, with Terminal 1 closing in 2015. Terminal 5, which opened in 2008, is one of the largest free-standing buildings in the world and serves as the main hub for British Airways. Heathrow is accessible via the Heathrow Express, which offers a quick 15-minute route to Paddington Station, or through the Underground's Piccadilly Line.
Heathrow's extensive connections make it a crucial gateway to London, despite criticisms of overcrowding and delays. The airport has implemented various initiatives to enhance the passenger experience, such as retail services and a COVID-19 response plan. Heathrow's digital transformation includes biometric-based self-boarding and process automation, contributing to its recognition for prioritising customers during the pandemic.
Heathrow's role as a leading aviation hub is further emphasised by its status as the primary base for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Approximately 80 to 86 airlines operate from Heathrow, including Ryanair UK, which offers the most destinations from the airport. The airport's planned expansion continues towards 2030, reinforcing its position as a key transport link for London and beyond.
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Heathrow has an excellent flight safety record
Heathrow Airport in London is the UK's largest and busiest airport. It is also the busiest airport in Europe and the seventh busiest in the world based on passenger traffic. Heathrow handles over 83 million passengers annually and serves as a hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Approximately 80 airlines fly from Heathrow, offering flights to over 180 destinations worldwide.
Heathrow Airport has an excellent flight safety record. The airport's highest priority is the safety and security of its passengers, staff, and organisations operating within its premises. Heathrow is committed to being a leader in health and safety management, integrating it into its overall mission statement. The airport ensures that fire training is conducted annually, maintains up-to-date fire risk assessments, and safely manages third-party construction sites.
Heathrow's commitment to safety was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport implemented a comprehensive response plan to ensure a safe environment for staff and travellers. This included segregation of frontline operational staff into work teams and strict sanitisation procedures. Heathrow also prioritised the welfare of its staff and stakeholders, demonstrating its dedication to equity and fairness in all matters.
The airport's safety record extends beyond passenger safety. Heathrow set a national safety record during the construction of Terminal 2A, with the joint venture company HETCo reaching 5 million hours worked without a reportable incident. This achievement was recognised by various industry awards. Heathrow also prioritises environmental safety, aiming to recycle or compost 70% of airport waste by 2020 and successfully reducing the carbon footprint of its new Terminal 2 by 40%.
Heathrow's dedication to safety is further exemplified by its strict regulations regarding acetylene usage. Any use of acetylene, a highly controlled substance, is closely monitored and requires approval from the Heathrow Fire Safety Team. These measures ensure that Heathrow maintains its excellent safety record, reinforcing its position as one of the world's leading airports in safety and security.
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London's second-busiest airport is Gatwick
London is served by six international airports, handling over 177 million passengers in 2024, more than any other city. Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest airport in London and the UK's busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. Heathrow Airport is located in the west of London, in the borough of Hillingdon, and hosts two runways and four operational terminal buildings.
Gatwick Airport consists of two terminals, North and South, and is the busiest single-use runway airport in the world. The airport is easily accessible by road and rail, with the Gatwick Express providing a direct train service to London Victoria Station.
In recent years, Gatwick has undergone significant development, including the expansion of its North Terminal and the introduction of new technologies to enhance the passenger experience. The airport has also received several awards for its sustainability initiatives, including the Airport Carbon Accreditation Award.
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Frequently asked questions
Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the busiest airport in London.
Heathrow Airport currently has three active terminals (Terminals 2, 4 and 5). Terminal 1 closed in 2015, and Terminal 3 is also no longer in use.
Heathrow Airport handles over 80 million passengers annually, with 80.1 million passengers passing through in 2018, and 80.9 million in 2019.
