London Heathrow Airport

  •  Last updated on 5 Oct 2023

Heathrow Terminal 5”, by Curt Smith, licensed under CC BY 2.0

London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, the largest United Kingdom airport, a major airport in London where millions of passengers come every year to travel to the UK and beyond. 

What is LHR airport?

Heathrow IATA airport code is LHR, though some people mistakenly use London HTR airport. However, this code actually belongs to a local Japanese airport in Hateruma.

History of Airport London UK

Originally opened in 1929 as a small airfield called Great West Aerodrome, Heathrow grew rapidly during the 20th century, becoming a key strategic air base during World War II. In 1946, it was officially reopened as London Airport and subsequently renamed Heathrow Airport in 1966. Since then, the airport has undergone numerous expansions and upgrades to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel and became the biggest of London international airports.

Getting to/from LHR London Heathrow airport

Located 14 miles / 23 km west of Central London, the airport offers great connectivity with the capital and other parts of the United Kingdom. Travelers have lots of transportation options at their disposal to reach the airport. The most popular choice for accessing Heathrow from Central London is the Heathrow Express, a dedicated non-stop train service that offers a swift and direct journey to the airport from London Paddington station. Additionally, the London Underground's Piccadilly Line provides a cost-effective alternative for those traveling from various parts of the city to Heathrow.

For those preferring road transport, a comprehensive network of buses, coaches, and taxis connects Heathrow Airport with London and surrounding areas. The airport is easily accessible via major highways and offers ample parking facilities for those opting to drive their own vehicles. Furthermore, private transfer services are readily available, providing passengers with a convenient and comfortable door-to-door transportation option.

Facilities

Heathrow Airport boasts five passenger terminals, each designed to provide travelers with a host of amenities and services. International Heathrow terminal is primarily Terminal 2 and 5, though others also offer some international flights. Passengers can effortlessly navigate the airport with clearly marked signage and helpful staff available to assist with any queries upon arrival and departure. The departure areas offer a wide array of shopping opportunities, ranging from luxury boutiques to high-street retailers.

A diverse range of dining options awaits passengers at Heathrow, catering to various tastes and dietary preferences. From quick bites to fine dining, the airport's restaurants, cafes, and bars offer a delightful culinary experience. Additionally, the airport provides currency exchange services, banking facilities, lounges, prayer rooms, and family-friendly amenities to ensure the comfort and convenience of all passengers.

Upon arrival at Heathrow Airport, travelers are welcomed by spacious and modern terminals, equipped with immigration and customs facilities, baggage claim areas, and convenient access to transportation options for onward journeys.

London Heathrow Airport has multiple hotels on-site or within close proximity for the passengers with long layovers and early departures.

Flights & Airlines

In 2022, Heathrow Airport handled over 61 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in the world. 

The airport is served by a vast array of airlines, offering both domestic and international flights to destinations across every continent. As for the most popular destinations for flights, Heathrow top-10 include:

  • John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
  • Dubai International Airport (DXB)
  • Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
  • Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Munich Airport (MUC)
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH)
  • Geneva Airport (GVA)

Heathrow Airport is home to several major airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, which have their base at the airport. Other airlines flying from Heathrow include:

  • Air France
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
  • Lufthansa
  • Emirates
  • Qatar Airways
  • Etihad Airways
  • United Airlines

Compensations

Our recent data indicates that 46 passengers faced Heathrow delays and flight cancellations from Heathrow, submitted their flight compensation claims for the amount of 16950 EUR for the last 7 days.

Data shown are estimates, based on internal databases.

Many of the airlines operating in London Heathrow Airport, adhere to the EU 261 regulation of 2004 (EC No 261/2004), which provides rights and protections to passengers in cases of flight delays, flight cancellations, and denied boarding. Under this regulation, passengers may be entitled to compensation, assistance, and reimbursement of expenses, depending on the circumstances of the flight disruption.

In case you have experienced Heathrow Airport delay or Heathrow cancelled flights, you can easily check your flight compensation using the flight compensation calculator below.

This article relies on information from open sources for informational purposes only. While we have taken care to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness or timeliness of the information. We are not liable for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information presented.

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