Heathrow Airport

{{Short description|Main airport serving London, England}} {{redirect-multi|2|Heathrow|LHR}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025|cs1-dates=l}} {{Use British English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox airport | name = Heathrow Airport | image = Heathrow Logo 2013.svg | image-width = 250 | image2 = London - Heathrow_(LHR - EGLL) AN1572653.jpg | image2-width = 250 | IATA = LHR | ICAO = EGLL | WMO = 03772 | type = Public | owner-oper = Heathrow Airport Holdings | city-served = Greater London Urban Area | location = Hillingdon, London, England | built = {{start date and age|1929|||df=yes}} | opened = {{start date and age|1946|03|25|df=yes}} | hub = {{ubl|class=nowrap | British Airways | Virgin Atlantic}} | elevation-f = 83 | coordinates = {{coord|51|28|39|N|000|27|41|W|region:GB-HIL|display=it}} | website = {{Official URL}} | pushpin_map = Greater London#England#United Kingdom#Europe | pushpin_label = '''LHR'''/EGLL | metric-rwy = Yes | r1-number = 09L/27R | r1-length-m = 3,902 | r1-surface = Asphalt | r2-number = 09R/27L | r2-length-m = 3,660 | r2-surface = Asphalt | stat-year = 2024 | stat1-header = Passengers | stat1-data = 83,859,729 {{increase}} |stat2-header = Rank (world) |stat2-data =7th | stat3-header = Aircraft movements | stat3-data = 473,965 {{increase}} | stat4-header = Cargo (tonnes) | stat4-data = 1,536,385 {{increase}} | stat5-header = | stat5-data = | stat6-header = | stat6-data = | stat7-header = | stat7-data = | footnotes = Sources: CAA, Heathrow Airport Holdings<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/|title=Aircraft and passenger traffic data from UK airports|publisher=UK Civil Aviation Authority|date=3 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211070518/http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/|archive-date=11 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/company/investor-centre/reports/traffic-statistics|title=Traffic Statistics {{!}} Heathrow|website=Heathrow Airport|access-date=22 January 2020|archive-date=9 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309002807/https://www.heathrow.com/company/investor-centre/reports/traffic-statistics|url-status=live}}</ref> | mapframe = yes }}

'''Heathrow Airport''' {{airport codes|LHR|EGLL}},<ref name="NATS Aeronautical Information Service"/> also known as '''London Heathrow Airport''' and named ''London Airport'' until 1966, is the primary and largest international airport serving London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system (the others being Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City, and Southend).

The airport is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings.<ref name="AboutHeathrow">{{Cite web |title=About Heathrow {{!}} Heathrow |url=https://www.heathrow.com/company/about-heathrow |access-date=15 April 2024 |website=Heathrow Airport |language=en-GB |archive-date=28 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628220647/https://www.heathrow.com/company/about-heathrow |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2025, Heathrow was the busiest airport in Europe, the fifth-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic and the second-busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Busiest Airports in the World 2024 |url=https://www.oag.com/busiest-airports-world-2024 |access-date=6 February 2025 |website=OAG |language= |archive-date=28 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128175439/https://www.oag.com/busiest-airports-world-2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> Heathrow was the airport with the most international connections in the world in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 September 2024 |title=London Heathrow Remains Number One Most Connected Airport in the World, OAG Data Reveals |url=https://www.oag.com/pressroom/london-heathrow-remains-1-most-connected-airport-in-the-world |access-date= |website=OAG |archive-date=22 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122052838/https://www.oag.com/pressroom/london-heathrow-remains-1-most-connected-airport-in-the-world |url-status=live }}</ref>

Heathrow was founded as a small airfield in 1930<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History {{!}} Heathrow |url=https://www.heathrow.com/company/about-heathrow/our-history |access-date=14 April 2024 |website=Heathrow Airport |language=en-GB |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423033756/https://www.heathrow.com/company/about-heathrow/our-history |url-status=live }}</ref> but was developed into a much larger airport after World War II. It lies {{convert|14|mi|km}} west of Central London on a site that covers {{convert|4.74|sqmi|km2}}. It was gradually expanded over 75 years and now has two parallel east–west runways, four operational passenger terminals and one cargo terminal.<ref name="NATS Aeronautical Information Service">{{cite web| title=London Heathrow – EGLL| publisher=NATS Aeronautical Information Service| url=http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dblogcategory%26id%3D94%26Itemid%3D143.html| access-date=21 April 2011| archive-date=20 February 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220104619/http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=94&Itemid=143.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> The airport is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

==History== thumb|right|Aerial photo of Heathrow Airport with the original six runways from the 1950s, before the terminals were built [[File:영국 히스로공항 (1496).jpeg|thumb|Satellite photo of Heathrow taken by KOMPSAT-3A in 2020]]  {{For|a chronicled history of Heathrow Airport|History of Heathrow Airport}} The airport was opened on 25 March 1946 as London Airport; it was renamed Heathrow Airport in the last week of September 1966, to avoid confusion with the other two airports which serve London, Gatwick and Stansted.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Copps |first1=Alan |title=Airport News: Flights May Be Halted by Pay Freeze Row |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122374618/airport-news-flights-may-be-halted-by-p/ |work=Middlesex Chronicle |date=30 September 1966 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=BAA this week announced their intention to revive the name Heathrow as the official title of the airport. This, they say, is being done to avoid confusion with the other two airports which serve London, Gatwick and Stansted. In the future, they will refer to what is now known as London Airport as Heathrow Airport-London.}}</ref> The airport's Central Terminal Area (CTA) was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, who set out the terminals and central-area buildings, including the control tower and the multi-faith Chapel of St George's.

==Operations==

===Facilities=== Heathrow Airport is used by over 89 airlines flying to 214 destinations in 84 countries. The airport is the primary hub for British Airways and 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 2024, when 83.9 million passengers travelled through the airport. Heathrow is the UK's largest airport 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 taxiway system.

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, has been occupied by an Emirates Airbus A380 model since 2008.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 March 2007 |title=Heathrow Concorde model removed |newspaper=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/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 Anglican, Catholic, Free Church, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh chaplains. There is a multi-faith prayer room and counselling room in each terminal, in addition to 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>{{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>

=== 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>{{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=== [[File:PK-GIA 01052016 LHR (26811354066).jpg|thumb|left|A Garuda Indonesia Boeing 777-300ER taxiing past Heathrow's control tower]] Aircraft destined for Heathrow are usually routed to one of four holding points. Air traffic controllers 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>{{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.

[[File:A6EEE-LHR-20241011-161753.jpg|thumb|An Emirates Airbus A380-800 passing over Myrtle Avenue on approach to runway ''27L'' at Heathrow]] 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>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 to the west and land from the east over London, thereby minimising noise impact on the most densely populated areas. Heathrow's two runways generally operate in segregated mode, with landings on one runway and takeoffs on the other. To further reduce noise nuisance, the use of runways 27R and 27L is swapped at 15:00 local time 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. As of 2025, Hillingdon Council is considering plans submitted by Heathrow Airport Limited for infrastructure works to facilitate runway alternation during easterly operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heathrow easterly alternation |url=https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/heathrow-easterly-alteration |access-date=29 May 2025 |website=Hillingdon Council |language=en |archive-date=29 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529132808/https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/heathrow-easterly-alteration |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 restrictions. Between 23:00 and 04:00, the noisiest aircraft (rated 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>{{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.

[[File:Concorde G-BOAB at Heathrow.jpg|thumb|''G-BOAB'', a former British Airways Concorde pictured in 2014 is preserved at Heathrow next to runway 27L]] 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, more spread-out paths. 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|archive-date=15 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215170138/https://heathrowflyquieterandgreener.com/how-we-calculate/|url-status=live}}</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 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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123234258/https://www.heathrow.com/latest-news/heathrow-equips-uk-data-revealed |date=23 January 2021 }} 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 VOR installations, and these also define four "stacks" where aircraft can be held if necessary until they are cleared to begin their approach to land.<ref>{{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>

===Third runway=== {{main|Expansion of Heathrow Airport}} In September 2012, the 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 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 and Qatar Investment Authority and CDPQ<ref name="AboutHeathrow" /> 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 charge per passenger was capped at inflation minus 3% until 1 April 2003. From 2003 to 2007, charges rose by inflation plus 6.5% per year, reaching £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>{{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 slots 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 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 "open skies" agreement that the United States signed 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>{{cite news |title=BA boss joins attack on Heathrow |work=BBC News |date=1 August 2007 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/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>{{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 expand their operations at the airport, or for new airlines to start operations.<ref>{{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.<ref>{{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>{{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 Policing Command,<ref>{{cite web |title=Overview and functions of the MPS’s Specialist Operations units (undated) |url=https://www.met.police.uk/foi-ai/metropolitan-police/disclosure-2025/december-2025/overview-functions-mpss-so-units/ |website=Metropolitan Police |access-date=30 April 2026}}</ref> 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 scanners 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 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 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218194018/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46803713 |url-status=live }}</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>

== Terminals == === Terminal 2 === [[File:Heathrow T2 central overview.jpg|thumb|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, it was built on the site that had been occupied by the original Terminal 2 and the Queens Building.<ref>{{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, 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 (which consolidate 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, 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=https://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|Terminal 3 bird's-eye view]] {{Main|Heathrow Terminal 3}}

Terminal 3 opened as the '''Oceanic Terminal''' on 13 November 1961 to handle departures for long-haul routes to the United States and Asia for foreign carriers.<ref>{{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 walkways. In 2006, the new £105{{nbsp}}million Pier 6 was completed<ref>{{cite news|title=Debut A380 flight lands in London|work=BBC News|date=18 March 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/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 and Qantas operate regular flights from Terminal 3 using the Airbus A380.

Redevelopment of Terminal 3's forecourt, including a new four-lane drop-off area and a large pedestrianised plaza, complete with a canopy at 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>{{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 to America, Asia, and other foreign countries. Terminal 3 is home to Oneworld members (with the exception of Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, 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|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 |archive-date=24 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224003210/https://www.ifly.com/airports/london-heathrow-airport/terminal-map/Terminal-4-map |url-status=live }}</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, Royal Brunei Airlines, and WestJet. It has undergone a £200{{nbsp}}million upgrade 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 Eastern 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|Terminal 5 bird's-eye view]] [[File:Heathrow Terminal 5C Iwelumo-1.jpg|thumb|British Airways aircraft at Terminal 5C]] [[File:TerminalFiveAirportHeathrowAugust2012.JPG|thumb|Central waiting area in 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>{{cite news|url=https://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. 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, resulting in over 500 flights being cancelled.<ref>{{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>

British Airways exclusively use Terminal 5 as its global hub. However, because of the merger, between 25 March 2012 and 12 July 2022, 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 moved to Terminal 5 to facilitate easier connections between American's transatlantic flights and 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' narrowbody fleet for flights around the UK and across 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>{{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, 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 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 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 Transit, transports airside passengers between the main terminal building and the satellite concourses.<ref>{{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|Terminal 2}}''' |Star Alliance, SkyTeam and several non-aligned airlines |- |'''Terminal 3''' |Oneworld (except Iberia, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, and Royal Air Maroc), British Airways (some destinations), Virgin Atlantic, and several non-aligned airlines |- |'''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 |- |'''Terminal 5''' |British Airways (most destinations) and 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>{{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 |author1=Iberia |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 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>''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. Before 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>{{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> Since closure, it has been used as a location for emergency services' training and testing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/heathrow-ghost-terminal/ |title=The slow death and strange afterlife of Heathrow's ghost terminal |work=The Telegraph |date=10 May 2025 |access-date=6 June 2025 |first=Chris |last=Leadbeater}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations== ===Passenger===

The following airlines operate regularly scheduled passenger flights to and from London Heathrow Airport:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/flight-timetable|title=Flight timetable|publisher=Heathrow Airport Limited|location=London|access-date=21 May 2022|archive-date=16 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216225904/https://www.heathrow.com/flight-timetable|url-status=live}}</ref>

thumb|center|800px|Heathrow Airport passenger destinations {{clear left}}

{{Airport destination list  | Aegean Airlines | Athens<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Aegean Launches Flights from Birmingham and Bristol to Athens |date= May 2023 |magazine=Business Traveller (UK/Europe Edition) |pages=10–11 |quote=Aegean Airlines has launched routes from Birmingham and Bristol to the Greek capital, adding to existing UK destinations including Edinburgh, Gatwick (seasonal), Heathrow and Manchester.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gill |first=Rob |date=March 2011 |title=Aegean to Replace Olympic's Flights |magazine=Travel Trade Gazette UK & Ireland |type=Trade magazine |quote=Aegean Airlines is to increase its UK services with extra flights from Heathrow to Athens from Sunday.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gtp.gr/TDirectoryDetails.asp?id=10417&lng=2 | title=Aegean Airlines UK- London - Greek Travel Pages | access-date=14 August 2024 | archive-date=14 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814181523/https://www.gtp.gr/TDirectoryDetails.asp?id=10417&lng=2 | url-status=live }}</ref>  | Aer Lingus | Cork,<ref name="AerLingus202408">{{cite web | url=https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/international-airlines-group-iag/aer-lingus/aer-lingus-reduces-dublin-heathrow-flights-but-gains-airbus-a321xlr-for-transatlantic-expansion/ | title=Aer Lingus reduces Dublin-Heathrow flights but gains Airbus A321XLR for transatlantic expansion | date=28 August 2024 | access-date=29 August 2024 | archive-date=29 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829105311/https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/international-airlines-group-iag/aer-lingus/aer-lingus-reduces-dublin-heathrow-flights-but-gains-airbus-a321xlr-for-transatlantic-expansion/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Dublin,<ref name="AerLingus202408"/> Knock,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tourismireland.com/news-and-press-releases/press-releases/article/tourism-ireland-welcomes-new-aer-lingus-flight-from-london-heathrow-to-ireland-west-airport-knock | title=Tourism Ireland welcomes new Aer Lingus flight from London Heathrow to Ireland West Airport Knock | access-date=14 August 2024 | archive-date=14 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814181749/https://www.tourismireland.com/news-and-press-releases/press-releases/article/tourism-ireland-welcomes-new-aer-lingus-flight-from-london-heathrow-to-ireland-west-airport-knock | url-status=live }}</ref> Shannon<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Joshprenderville |url=https://www.clare.fm/news/aer-lingus-anticipates-shannon-heathrow-cancellations-october/|title=Aer Lingus Anticipates Further Shannon-Heathrow Cancellations Before October|work=Clare FM |date=26 July 2022|access-date=1 November 2024|archive-date=6 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706161640/https://www.clare.fm/news/aer-lingus-anticipates-shannon-heathrow-cancellations-october/|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Aeroméxico | Mexico City–Benito Juárez<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviacionline.com/aeromexico-resumes-operations-to-london|title=Aeromexico resumes operations to London|website=Aviavionline.com|date=14 February 2022|access-date=2 February 2025|language=en-ca|archive-date=19 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219150640/https://www.aviacionline.com/aeromexico-resumes-operations-to-london|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Air Algerie | Algiers<ref>{{cite news |title=Why North Africa shows a fresh side of the Med |last=Armstrong |first=SJ |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |place=London |date=18 June 2022 |quote=...only 20 minutes from Algiers Airport; Air Algerie flies there from Heathrow...}}</ref>  | Air Astana | Almaty<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/uk-to-gain-new-route-to-largest-kazakh-city-and-financial-hub-33929 | title=UK to gain new route to largest Kazakh city and financial hub | access-date=1 November 2024 | archive-date=13 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013132552/https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/uk-to-gain-new-route-to-largest-kazakh-city-and-financial-hub-33929 | url-status=live }}</ref>  | Air Canada | Calgary,<ref name="OAG Flight Guide Worldwide-2025c">{{OAGWorldJuly2025Ref|title=Calgary, AB, Canada YYC|pages=204-206}}</ref> Halifax,<ref name="OAG Flight Guide Worldwide-2025c"/> Montréal–Trudeau,<ref>{{OAGWorldJuly2025Ref|title=Montreal, QC, Canada YMQ|pages=768-771}}</ref> Ottawa,<ref>{{OAGWorldJuly2025Ref|title=Ottawa, ON, Canada YOW|pages=876-876}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=✈ London calling! Air Canada to operate Ottawa-London Heathrow service through the winter | date= 23 September 2025 | url= https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/london-calling-air-canada-to-operate-ottawa-london-heathrow-service-through-the-winter/ }}</ref> Toronto–Pearson,<ref>{{OAGWorldJuly2025Ref|title=Toronto, ON, Canada YTO|pages=1156-1162}}</ref> Vancouver<ref>{{OAGWorldJuly2025Ref|title=Vancouver, BC, Canada YVR|pages=1184-1188}}</ref>  | Air China | Beijing–Capital,<ref name="The Best Flight Options from the UK to China in 2025-2025">{{Cite web|url=https://focus.cbbc.org/the-best-flight-options-from-the-uk-to-china-in-2025/|title=The Best Flight Options from the UK to China in 2025|date=24 June 2025|access-date=22 November 2025|archive-date=30 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130104443/https://focus.cbbc.org/the-best-flight-options-from-the-uk-to-china-in-2025/|url-status=live}}</ref> Chengdu–Tianfu<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/Air-China-moves-Chengdu-service-to-Heathrow| title=Air China moves Chengdu service from Gatwick to Heathrow| archive-date=26 June 2022| access-date=6 October 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626162814/https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/Air-China-moves-Chengdu-service-to-Heathrow| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Air France | Paris–Charles de Gaulle<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/air-france-expands-european-network-new-routes-offer-north-american-travelers-seamless-access-to-europe-in-2025/| title=Air France expands Paris Heathrow offerings| archive-date=12 November 2025| access-date=22 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112200403/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/air-france-expands-european-network-new-routes-offer-north-american-travelers-seamless-access-to-europe-in-2025/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Air India | Bengaluru,<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.cnbctv18.com/travel/destinations/air-india-to-start-daily-direct-flights-between-bengaluru-and-london-heathrow-from-october-27-19495672.htm|title= Air India shifts BLR-LGW to BLR-LHR in WS 2024|date= 19 October 2024|access-date= 19 October 2024|archive-date= 15 December 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241215165803/https://www.cnbctv18.com/travel/destinations/air-india-to-start-daily-direct-flights-between-bengaluru-and-london-heathrow-from-october-27-19495672.htm|url-status= live}}</ref> Delhi,<ref>{{cite web|title=Air India expands UK connectivity this winter with 4th daily flight between Delhi-London|work=The Times of India|date=10 October 2025|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-expands-uk-connectivity-this-winter-with-4th-daily-flight-between-delhi-london/articleshow/124387650.cms#:~:text=Complimentary%20lounge%20access:%20Air%20India,bedding%20and%20elegantly%20designed%20serviceware.|access-date=5 November 2025|archive-date=5 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251105035826/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-india-expands-uk-connectivity-this-winter-with-4th-daily-flight-between-delhi-london/articleshow/124387650.cms#:~:text=Complimentary%20lounge%20access:%20Air%20India,bedding%20and%20elegantly%20designed%20serviceware.|url-status=live}}</ref> Mumbai<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-BOM|title=Direct (non-stop) flights from London to Mumbai - schedules - FlightsFrom.com|website=www.flightsfrom.com|access-date=5 October 2025|archive-date=5 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205002219/https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-BOM|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Air Peace | Abuja<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/abuja-to-london-heathrow-air-peace-marks-new-milestone-with-flights-from-nigerias-capital/|title=Abuja to London Heathrow: Air Peace Marks New Milestone with Flights from Nigeria's Capital - Travel And Tour World|date=8 July 2025|access-date=10 July 2025|archive-date=15 August 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815222036/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/abuja-to-london-heathrow-air-peace-marks-new-milestone-with-flights-from-nigerias-capital/|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Air Serbia | Belgrade<ref name="Heathrow route map">{{cite web| url=https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-london-heathrow-lhr| title=Heathrow route map| access-date=19 January 2026| archive-date=11 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111170232/https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-london-heathrow-lhr| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Alaska Airlines | Seattle/Tacoma<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/alaska-airlines-unveils-non-stop-seattle-london-flights-in-2026-the-ultimate-transatlantic-connection-youve-been-waiting-for/| title=Alaska Airlines launches flights to Heathrow| archive-date=12 December 2025| access-date=9 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212074842/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/alaska-airlines-unveils-non-stop-seattle-london-flights-in-2026-the-ultimate-transatlantic-connection-youve-been-waiting-for/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | All Nippon Airways | Tokyo–Haneda<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/ana-all-nippon-airways/ana-to-resume-the-tokyo-haneda-london-heathrow-route-and-change-other-international-routes-flights-to-brussels-via-polar-route/|title=ANA to resume the Tokyo Haneda - London Heathrow route and change other international routes. Flights to Brussels via Polar Route|first=André|last=Orban|date=10 May 2022|access-date=22 November 2025|archive-date=2 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241102115156/https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/ana-all-nippon-airways/ana-to-resume-the-tokyo-haneda-london-heathrow-route-and-change-other-international-routes-flights-to-brussels-via-polar-route/|url-status=live}}</ref>  | American Airlines | Boston,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/american-airlines-increases-long-haul-presence-at-london-heathrow-while-cutting-frequencies-from-us-airports-like-chicago-and-los-angeles/|title=American Airlines Increases Long-Haul Presence At London Heathrow While Cutting Frequencies From US Airports Like Chicago And Los Angeles - Travel And Tour World|date=31 May 2025|access-date=24 November 2025|archive-date=25 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725010659/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/american-airlines-increases-long-haul-presence-at-london-heathrow-while-cutting-frequencies-from-us-airports-like-chicago-and-los-angeles/|url-status=live}}</ref> Charlotte,<ref name="American Airlines London Heathrow network">{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/american-airlines-increases-long-haul-presence-at-london-heathrow-while-cutting-frequencies-from-us-airports-like-chicago-and-los-angeles/| title=American Airlines London Heathrow network| archive-date=25 July 2025| access-date=24 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725010659/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/american-airlines-increases-long-haul-presence-at-london-heathrow-while-cutting-frequencies-from-us-airports-like-chicago-and-los-angeles/| url-status=live}}</ref> Chicago–O'Hare,<ref name="American Airlines Heathrow flight offerings">{{cite news| url=https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/american-expands-premium-destination| title=American Airlines Heathrow flight offerings| archive-date=5 December 2025| access-date=22 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205022622/https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/american-expands-premium-destination| url-status=live}}</ref> Dallas/Fort Worth,<ref name="American Airlines Heathrow flight offerings"/> Los Angeles,<ref name="American Airlines Heathrow flight offerings"/> Miami,<ref name="American Airlines London Heathrow network"/> New York–JFK,<ref name="American Airlines Heathrow flight offerings"/> Philadelphia,<ref name="American Airlines Heathrow flight offerings"/> Raleigh/Durham<ref name="American Airlines London Heathrow network"/> '''Seasonal:''' Phoenix–Sky Harbor<ref name="American Airlines London Heathrow network"/>  | Asiana Airlines | Seoul–Incheon<ref name="OAG Flight Guide Worldwide-2025b">{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Seoul, Korea Republic Of SEL|pages=1186-1190}}</ref>  | Austrian Airlines | Vienna<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/austrian-airlines-restarting-two-way-london-service|title=Austrian Airlines restarting two-way London service {{pipe}} Aviation Week Network|website=aviationweek.com|access-date=24 November 2025|archive-date=7 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207194505/https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/austrian-airlines-restarting-two-way-london-service|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Avianca | Bogotá<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/avianca-launch-seven-new-routes-plans-london-return-0|title=Avianca To Launch Seven New Routes, Plans London Return {{pipe}} Aviation Week Network|website=aviationweek.com|access-date=24 November 2025|archive-date=1 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201010310/https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/avianca-launch-seven-new-routes-plans-london-return-0|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Azerbaijan Airlines | Baku<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/route-analysis-baku-london-heathrow|title=Route Analysis: Baku-London Heathrow {{pipe}} Aviation Week Network|website=aviationweek.com|access-date=24 November 2025|archive-date=4 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251204012121/https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/route-analysis-baku-london-heathrow|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Beijing Capital Airlines | Qingdao<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/in-depth/heathrow-gains-china-route-as-beijing-capital-airlines-announce-qingdao-service| title=Beijing Capital Airlines Adds London Heathrow to Qingdao Service}}</ref>  | BeOnd | Malé (begins 15 December 2026)<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2026/03/22/beond-airlines-launching-new-flights-to-2-european-hubs/|title=BeOnd Airlines launches flights Heathrow}}</ref>  | Biman Bangladesh Airlines | Dhaka,<ref name="ukaviation.news">{{Cite web|url=https://ukaviation.news/biman-to-restore-2nd-weekly-london-flight-this-winter/|title=Biman to restore 2nd weekly London flight this winter|first=Nick|last=Harding|date=25 September 2020|access-date=6 October 2025|archive-date=9 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251209040159/https://ukaviation.news/biman-to-restore-2nd-weekly-london-flight-this-winter/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sylhet<ref name="ukaviation.news"/>  | British Airways | Aberdeen,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow domestic routes">{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-and-finnair-expand-codeshare-agreement/| title=British Airways Heathrow domestic routes| archive-date=20 December 2025| access-date=11 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251220180012/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-and-finnair-expand-codeshare-agreement/| url-status=live}}</ref> Abu Dhabi,<ref>{{cite news|last=Darkunde|first=Mahesh| title=British Airways to Resume New Flights to Abu Dhabi After 4 Years Hiatus|url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2023/10/19/british-airways-resume-flights-to-abu-dhabi/|work=Aviation A2Z|date=19 October 2023|access-date=19 October 2023|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019205656/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2023/10/19/british-airways-resume-flights-to-abu-dhabi/|url-status=live}}</ref> Abuja, Accra,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-launches-new-routes-to-accra-and-riga/|title=BA launches flights to Accra|archive-date=1 December 2025|access-date=26 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201095320/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-launches-new-routes-to-accra-and-riga/|url-status=live}}</ref> Amman–Queen Alia,<ref name="Heathrow-Middle East routes">{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/uk-aviation-to-thrive-as-oman-air-enhances-europe-middle-east-network-from-heathrow/| title=Heathrow to Middle East flight routes| archive-date=18 December 2025| access-date=17 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218093015/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/uk-aviation-to-thrive-as-oman-air-enhances-europe-middle-east-network-from-heathrow/| url-status=live}}</ref> Amsterdam,<ref name="BA frequency increases">{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-to-launch-new-greek-and-corsican-routes/| title=BA frequency increases| archive-date=3 December 2025| access-date=26 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251203163529/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-to-launch-new-greek-and-corsican-routes/| url-status=live}}</ref> Athens,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1264908/athens-heathrow-flights-resume-after-closure-causes-global-flight-turmoil/| title=British Airways resumes flights to Athens| archive-date=6 December 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251206185942/https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1264908/athens-heathrow-flights-resume-after-closure-causes-global-flight-turmoil/| url-status=live}}</ref> Atlanta,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/02062025/british-airways-celebrates-45-years-of-flights-between-atlanta-and-london|title=British Airways flights to Atlanta}}</ref> Austin,<ref name="Flights between Europe and US">{{cite news| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/04/07/european-airlines-changes-to-us-flight-schedule-2026/| title=Flights between Europe and US| archive-date=24 July 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724122256/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/04/07/european-airlines-changes-to-us-flight-schedule-2026/| url-status=live}}</ref> Bahrain,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/british-airways-scraps-bahrain-suspension|title=British Airways scraps plan to drop flights to Bahrain in apparent U-turn|publisher=Aero Time|date=21 November 2024|access-date=22 November 2024|archive-date=21 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121215612/https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/british-airways-scraps-bahrain-suspension|url-status=live}}</ref> Baltimore,<ref name="BA Heathrow frequency changes">{{cite news| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/02/08/british-airways-schedule-changes-for-2025/| title=BA Heathrow frequency changes| archive-date=21 November 2025| access-date=26 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121110153/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/02/08/british-airways-schedule-changes-for-2025/| url-status=live}}</ref> Barbados,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/barbados-gears-up-for-christmas-as-ba-adds-more-flights/| title=British Airways increases frequency to Barbados| archive-date=12 December 2025| access-date=9 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212074550/https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/barbados-gears-up-for-christmas-as-ba-adds-more-flights/| url-status=live}}</ref> Barcelona,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes">{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-flights-cancelled-heathrow-nice-b2121146.html| title=British Airways European frequency changes| archive-date=22 July 2025| access-date=19 January 2026| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250722005602/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-flights-cancelled-heathrow-nice-b2121146.html| url-status=live}}</ref> Basel/Mulhouse,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Belfast–City,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mw7jvk3lgo|title=Flights from Belfast City and City of Derry to Heathrow resume|date=22 March 2025|website=BBC News|access-date=29 November 2025|archive-date=30 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130102526/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mw7jvk3lgo|url-status=live}}</ref> Bengaluru,<ref name="British Airways flights to India">{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/tag/new-flights-british-airways-india/| title=British Airways flights to India| archive-date=6 December 2025| access-date=2 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251206051303/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/tag/new-flights-british-airways-india/| url-status=live}}</ref> Berlin,<ref name="British Airways top 25 destinations from Heathrow">{{cite web |url=https://travelradar.aero/british-airways-reveals-top-25-travel-destinations-for-2025/ |title=British Airways top 25 destinations from Heathrow |date=11 September 2024 |access-date=11 December 2025 |archive-date=23 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223031426/https://travelradar.aero/british-airways-reveals-top-25-travel-destinations-for-2025/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bermuda,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanneshurvell/2020/10/02/british-airways-announces-the-first-flights-from-london-heathrow-to-bermuda-in-over-30-years/| title=British Airways resumes flights to Bermuda| archive-date=14 December 2025| access-date=9 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214164933/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanneshurvell/2020/10/02/british-airways-announces-the-first-flights-from-london-heathrow-to-bermuda-in-over-30-years/| url-status=live}}</ref> Billund,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Bologna,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Italy from Heathrow">{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-to-launch-heathrow-florence-route/| title=British Airways frequency changes to Italy from Heathrow| archive-date=8 January 2026| access-date=11 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108100131/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-to-launch-heathrow-florence-route/| url-status=live}}</ref> Boston,<ref name="British Airways North America changes">{{cite news| url=https://www.gbnews.com/travel/british-airways-us-canada-mexico-new-flights-summer-2025| title=British Airways North America changes| archive-date=17 December 2025| access-date=19 January 2026| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217053936/https://www.gbnews.com/travel/british-airways-us-canada-mexico-new-flights-summer-2025| url-status=live}}</ref> Brussels,<ref name="Flights resume between Brussels and London">{{cite news| url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/1497052/london-heathrow-airport-closed-on-friday-due-to-power-cut-tbtb| title=Flights resume between Brussels and London| archive-date=12 December 2025| access-date=9 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212123556/https://www.brusselstimes.com/1497052/london-heathrow-airport-closed-on-friday-due-to-power-cut-tbtb| url-status=live}}</ref> Bucharest–Otopeni,<ref name="BA expands Central European destinations">{{cite news| url=https://www.romania-insider.com/british-airways-cluj-heathrow-summer-2021| title=BA expands Central European destinations| archive-date=14 December 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214011227/https://www.romania-insider.com/british-airways-cluj-heathrow-summer-2021| url-status=live}}</ref> Budapest,<ref name="BA frequency increases"/> Buenos Aires–Ezeiza,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-to-expand-services-to-argentina-and-brazil-this-winter/|title=British Airways to expand services to Argentina and Brazil this winter}}</ref> Cairo,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/destinations/cairo/flights-to-cairo|publisher=britishairways.com|access-date=1 November 2020|title=Cairo|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129074653/https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/destinations/cairo/flights-to-cairo|url-status=live}}</ref> Cape Town,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/london-heathrow-airport-shut-intl-hnk-03-21-25| title=British Airways resumes flights to Cape Town| archive-date=5 December 2025| access-date=2 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205073340/https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/london-heathrow-airport-shut-intl-hnk-03-21-25| url-status=live}}</ref> Chennai,<ref name="British Airways flights to India"/> Chicago–O'Hare,<ref name="Heathrow route map"/> Cincinnati,<ref name="Ahmed-2025">{{Cite web|url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/02/08/british-airways-schedule-changes-for-2025/|title=British Airways Announces Schedule Changes for Summer and Winter 2025|first=Arfath|last=Ahmed|date=8 February 2025|access-date=26 November 2025|archive-date=21 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121110153/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/02/08/british-airways-schedule-changes-for-2025/|url-status=live}}</ref> Copenhagen,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Dallas/Fort Worth,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/11/09/british-airways-turns-london-dallas-route-seasonal/|title=British Airways turns London-Dallas route into seasonal service|publisher=Aviation A2Z|date=9 November 2024|access-date=22 November 2024|archive-date=13 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113002551/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/11/09/british-airways-turns-london-dallas-route-seasonal/|url-status=live}}</ref> Delhi,<ref name="British Airways flights to India"/> Denver,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/british-airways-restarts-london-heathrow-denver-route| title=British Airways resumes flights to Denver| archive-date=25 December 2025| access-date=9 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251225215958/https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/british-airways-restarts-london-heathrow-denver-route| url-status=live}}</ref> Doha,<ref name="BA service expansion from Heathrow">{{cite news| url=https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/all-the-new-british-airways-routes-launching-from-the-uk-next-summer-082625| title=BA service expansion from Heathrow| archive-date=27 November 2025| access-date=26 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251127175030/https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/all-the-new-british-airways-routes-launching-from-the-uk-next-summer-082625| url-status=live}}</ref> Dubai–International,<ref name="BA Heathrow frequency changes"/> Dublin,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mw7jvk3lgo| title=BA resumes flights to the island of Ireland| archive-date=30 November 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130102526/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mw7jvk3lgo| url-status=live}}</ref> Düsseldorf,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.travelmole.com/news/british-airways-cuts-summer-2026-germany/|title=British Airways Germany schedule changes}}</ref> Edinburgh,<ref name="British Airways Southern Scotland">{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/qantas-and-british-airways-new-routes-to-scotland-dumbarton-castle-tourism-surge-boosts-flights-and-bookings/| title=British Airways increses flight frquency to Edinburgh and Glasgow| archive-date=22 December 2025| access-date=15 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251222232719/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/qantas-and-british-airways-new-routes-to-scotland-dumbarton-castle-tourism-surge-boosts-flights-and-bookings/| url-status=live}}</ref> Florence,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Italy from Heathrow"/> Frankfurt,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Geneva,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Gibraltar,<ref name="BA frequency increases"/> Glasgow,<ref name="British Airways Southern Scotland"/> Gothenburg,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Grand Cayman,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sheerluxe.com/ultraluxe/cayman-island-holidays |title=British Airways flights to the Cayman Islands |date=10 September 2025 |access-date=18 December 2025 |archive-date=28 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228101332/https://sheerluxe.com/ultraluxe/cayman-island-holidays |url-status=live }}</ref> Guernsey, <ref>{{cite web | title=Heathrow link to return with British Airways deal | website=Guernsey Press | date=20 November 2025 | url=https://guernseypress.com/news/2025/11/20/heathrow-link-to-return-with-british-airways-deal | access-date=20 November 2025 | archive-date=24 November 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251124210841/https://guernseypress.com/news/2025/11/20/heathrow-link-to-return-with-british-airways-deal | url-status=live }}</ref> Hamburg,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Hanover,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Hong Kong,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-cuts-hong-kong-service-to-single-daily-flight/|title=British Airways Hong Kong frequency changes}}</ref> Houston–Intercontinental,<ref name="BA service expansion from Heathrow"/> Hyderabad,<ref name="British Airways flights to India"/> Inverness,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mw7jvk3lgo| title=BA resumes flights to Inverness| archive-date=30 November 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130102526/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mw7jvk3lgo| url-status=live}}</ref> Istanbul,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Turkey from Heathrow">{{cite news| url=https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/ba-adds-new-route-to-turkey-for-2024/|title=British Airways frequency changes to Turkey from Heathrow}}</ref> Jersey,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow domestic routes"/> Johannesburg–O.R. Tambo,<ref name="BA Heathrow frequency changes"/> Kraków,<ref name="BA expands Central European destinations"/> Kuala Lumpur–International,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/business/british-airways-to-cancel-hundreds-of-winter-flights-on-rolls-royce-parts-delays-ft-says/articleshow/114157316.cms|title= British Airways delays Kuala Lumpur resumption to April 2025|newspaper= The Economic Times|date= 11 October 2024}}</ref> Lagos,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2023/11/07/british-airways-changes-to-intercontinental-flights/| title=British Airways London Heathrow-Lagos frequency changes| archive-date=16 July 2025| access-date=11 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716182645/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2023/11/07/british-airways-changes-to-intercontinental-flights/| url-status=live}}</ref> Larnaca,<ref name="British Airways resume flights to Cyprus from Heathrow">{{cite news| url=https://www.parikiaki.com/2025/03/larnaca-heathrow-british-airways-flights-carried-out-normally-on-saturday/|title=British Airways resume flights to Cyprus from Heathrow}}</ref> Las Vegas,<ref name="British Airways">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/all-the-new-british-airways-routes-launching-from-the-uk-next-summer-082625|title=British Airways: Full List of New Routes Launching from the UK in Summer 2026|access-date=26 November 2025|archive-date=27 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251127175030/https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/all-the-new-british-airways-routes-launching-from-the-uk-next-summer-082625|url-status=live}}</ref> Lisbon,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Los Angeles,<ref name="Peters-2025">{{Cite web|url=https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/british-airways-airbus-a380-december-2025/|title=Where British Airways will fly its Airbus A380s in December 2025|first=Luke|last=Peters|date=30 November 2025|access-date=3 December 2025|archive-date=5 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205080933/https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/british-airways-airbus-a380-december-2025/|url-status=live}}</ref> Luxembourg,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Lyon,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Madrid,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Málaga,<ref name="BA frequency increases"/> Malé,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://edition.mv/maldivesuk/19860?ref=article-related| title=British Airways resumes flights to Male| archive-date=9 December 2025| access-date=2 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251209065054/https://edition.mv/maldivesuk/19860?ref=article-related| url-status=live}}</ref> Manchester,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow domestic routes"/> Marrakesh,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2018/05/22/british-airways-launches-marrakech-route-from-heathrow/|title=British Airways launches Marrakech route from Heathrow|date=22 May 2018|last=Otley|first=Tom| website=Business Traveller|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-date=24 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724010615/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2018/05/22/british-airways-launches-marrakech-route-from-heathrow/|url-status=live}}</ref> Marseille,<ref name="BA frequency increases"/> Melbourne (resumes 9 January 2027),<ref name="BANW26">{{cite press release|date=2026-03-16|title=British Airways announces major winter 2026 expansion|url=https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/16032026/british-airways-announces-major-winter-2026-expansion|publisher=British Airways}}</ref> Mexico City–Benito Juárez,<ref name="British Airways North America changes"/> Miami,<ref name="British Airways"/> Milan–Linate,<ref name="Ahmed-2025"/> Milan–Malpensa,<ref name="BA Heathrow frequency changes"/> Montréal–Trudeau,<ref name="British Airways North America changes"/> Mumbai,<ref name="British Airways flights to India"/> Munich,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/why-british-airways-upgrades-london-nairobi-route-with-airbus-a350-1000/| title=British Airways aircraft changes to Nairobi| archive-date=24 July 2025| access-date=2 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724114326/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/why-british-airways-upgrades-london-nairobi-route-with-airbus-a350-1000/| url-status=live}}</ref> Naples,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Italy from Heathrow"/> Nashville,<ref name="BA global destinations">{{cite news| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/12/21/british-airways-launches-us-destinations/| title=BA global destinations| archive-date=30 November 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130061600/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2024/12/21/british-airways-launches-us-destinations/| url-status=live}}</ref> Nassau,<ref name="British Airways caribbean flight changes">{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/ba-to-add-b777-to-nassau-route/| title=British Airways caribbean flight changes| archive-date=10 June 2016| access-date=19 January 2026| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610123158/http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/ba-to-add-b777-to-nassau-route| url-status=live}}</ref> New Orleans,<ref name="BA Heathrow frequency changes"/> New York–JFK,<ref name="BA service expansion from Heathrow"/> Newark,<ref name="British Airways"/> Newcastle upon Tyne,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow domestic routes"/> Nice,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Italy from Heathrow"/> Oslo,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Paris–Charles de Gaulle,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Philadelphia,<ref name="BA global destinations"/> Phoenix–Sky Harbor,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/british-airways-to-switch-jets-for-phoenix-flight|title=Britsh Airways Phoenix aricraft changes|archive-date=30 August 2019|access-date=19 January 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830041102/https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/british-airways-to-switch-jets-for-phoenix-flight|url-status=live}}</ref> Pisa,<ref name="British Airways top 25 destinations from Heathrow"/> Pittsburgh,<ref name="Ahmed-2025"/> Portland (OR),<ref name="Ahmed-2025"/> Prague,<ref name="British Airways top 25 destinations from Heathrow"/> Providenciales,<ref name="British Airways caribbean flight changes"/> Reykjavík–Keflavík,<ref name="Heathrow destinations">{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/travel-guides/route-map|title=Heathrow destinations|access-date=27 July 2025|archive-date=1 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501110234/https://www.heathrow.com/travel-guides/route-map|url-status=live}}</ref> Rio de Janeiro–Galeão,<ref name="Ahmed-2025"/> Riyadh,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://connectingtravel.com/news/11-new-direct-flights-from-the-middle-east-for-april-2025-ct| title=British Airways increase frequency to Riyadh| archive-date=1 February 2026| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201103553/https://connectingtravel.com/news/11-new-direct-flights-from-the-middle-east-for-april-2025-ct| url-status=live}}</ref> Rome–Fiumicino,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Italy from Heathrow"/> San Diego,<ref name="British Airways"/> San Francisco,<ref name="Peters-2025"/> Santiago de Chile,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.travelmole.com/news/ba-announces-the-launch-of-its-longest-flight/| title=British Airways launches flights to Chile| archive-date=5 December 2025| access-date=3 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205154523/https://www.travelmole.com/news/ba-announces-the-launch-of-its-longest-flight/| url-status=live}}</ref> São Paulo–Guarulhos,<ref name="British Airways"/> Seattle/Tacoma,<ref name="BA global destinations"/> Shanghai–Pudong,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/british-airways-launches-new-route-from-heathrow/| title=BA resumes flights to China| archive-date=3 December 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251203173715/https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/british-airways-launches-new-route-from-heathrow/| url-status=live}}</ref> Singapore,<ref name="British Airways resumes Heathrow">{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/london-sydney-flights-british-airways-australia-b2012065.html| title=British Airways resumes Heathrow-Singapore-Sydney flights| archive-date=8 December 2025| access-date=2 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208133915/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/london-sydney-flights-british-airways-australia-b2012065.html| url-status=live}}</ref> Sofia, Stockholm–Arlanda,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Sydney–Kingsford Smith,<ref name="British Airways resumes Heathrow"/> Tampa (begins 25 October 2026),<ref>https://onemileatatime.com/news/british-airways-tampa-flight/</ref> Tbilisi,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/17092024/british-airways-launches-the-uks-only-direct-flight-to-georgian-capital-tbilisi | title=British Airways announces direct flights to Georgian capital, Tbilisi – 19 September 2024 | access-date=18 September 2024 | archive-date=18 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918121536/https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/17092024/british-airways-launches-the-uks-only-direct-flight-to-georgian-capital-tbilisi | url-status=live }}</ref> Tel Aviv (resumes {{date|2026-8-1}}),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wrobel |first1=Sharon |title=British Airways delays return of flights to Tel Aviv until August 1 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/british-airways-delays-return-of-flights-to-tel-aviv-until-august-1/ |access-date=27 May 2026 |work=timesofisrael.com |publisher=The Times of Israel |date=19 May 2026}}</ref> Tenerife-South,<ref name="Route map">{{Cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/travel-guides/route-map|title=Route map {{pipe}} Heathrow|website=Heathrow Airport}}</ref> Tirana,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://seenews.com/news/british-airways-to-raise-london-tirana-route-frequency-1286120| title=British Airways increases frequency to Tirana| archive-date=21 December 2025| access-date=9 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251221214714/https://seenews.com/news/british-airways-to-raise-london-tirana-route-frequency-1286120| url-status=live}}</ref> Tokyo–Haneda,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-boosts-tokyo-haneda-service/| title=BA frequency changes to Haneda| archive-date=1 December 2025| access-date=28 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201002335/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-boosts-tokyo-haneda-service/| url-status=live}}</ref> Toronto–Pearson,<ref name="BA global destinations"/> Toulouse,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Valencia,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Vancouver,<ref name="BA global destinations"/> Venice,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Italy from Heathrow"/> Vienna,<ref name="Heathrow destinations"/> Warsaw–Chopin,<ref name="BA expands Central European destinations"/> Washington–Dulles,<ref name="BA global destinations"/> Zurich<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> '''Seasonal:''' Bodrum,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Turkey from Heathrow"/> Brindisi,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow short">{{cite news| url=https://www.airlineratings.com/articles/british-airways-launches-six-new-summer-routes| title=British Airways Heathrow short-haul frequency changes| archive-date=16 December 2025| access-date=11 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251216211214/https://www.airlineratings.com/articles/british-airways-launches-six-new-summer-routes| url-status=live}}</ref> Chania, Corfu,<ref name="BA global destinations"/> Dalaman,<ref name="British Airways frequency changes to Turkey from Heathrow"/> Dubrovnik,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://total-croatia-news.com/news/british-airways-london-zagreb-flights-2/|title=British Airways Scrapping London-Zagreb Winter Flights|first=Lauren|last=Simmonds|date=4 July 2025|access-date=29 November 2025|archive-date=1 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201032127/https://total-croatia-news.com/news/british-airways-london-zagreb-flights-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Faro,<ref name="British Airways top 25 destinations from Heathrow"/> Figari,<ref name="BA frequency increases"/> Heraklion,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Ibiza,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow short"/> Innsbruck,<ref name="Heathrow destinations"/> Kefalonia,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow short"/> Ljubljana,<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.exyuaviation.com/2024/06/british-airways-to-suspend-ljubljana.html|title=British Airways to suspend Ljubljana service over winter|date=26 June 2024|access-date=26 June 2024|archive-date=26 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626122610/https://www.exyuaviation.com/2024/06/british-airways-to-suspend-ljubljana.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Mykonos,<ref name="Alexaki-2024">{{Cite web|url=https://money-tourism.gr/en/british-airways-reductions-on-flights-to-greek-islands-in-summer-2025/|title=British Airways: reductions on flights to Greek islands in summer|last=Alexaki|date=27 December 2024|access-date=9 December 2025|archive-date=12 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212072222/https://money-tourism.gr/en/british-airways-reductions-on-flights-to-greek-islands-in-summer-2025/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nuremberg,<ref>[https://www.routesonline.com/airports/6864/albrecht-durer-airport-nurnberg/news/299663197/nurembergs-christmas-market-now-served-by-a-seasonal-british-airways-service-from-london-heathrow/ routesonline.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623095208/https://www.routesonline.com/airports/6864/albrecht-durer-airport-nurnberg/news/299663197/nurembergs-christmas-market-now-served-by-a-seasonal-british-airways-service-from-london-heathrow/ |date=23 June 2024 }} 17 June 2024</ref> Olbia,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-announces-new-routes-to-rimini-salerno-and-olbia/| title=BA announces flights to Olbia| archive-date=2 December 2025| access-date=26 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202230957/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/british-airways-announces-new-routes-to-rimini-salerno-and-olbia/| url-status=live}}</ref> Orlando (resumes 21 July 2026),<ref>{{cite web|title=British Airways Launch 6-Week Summer Heathrow To Orlando Direct Flights: All Dates|url=https://ridingthemagic.uk/news/british-airways-launch-6-week-summer-heathrow-to-orlando-direct-flights-all-dates|website=Riding the Magic|access-date=January 28, 2026}}</ref> Palermo,<ref name="BA frequency increases"/> Palma de Mallorca,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> Paphos,<ref name="British Airways resume flights to Cyprus from Heathrow"/> Perugia,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow short"/> Ponta Delgada,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portuguese-american-journal.com/travel-british-airways-direct-flights-to-sao-miguel-and-terceira-azores/|title=| Travel: British Airways direct flights to São Miguel and Terceira – AzoresPortuguese American Journal|date=12 January 2022|access-date=9 December 2025|archive-date=12 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212081704/https://portuguese-american-journal.com/travel-british-airways-direct-flights-to-sao-miguel-and-terceira-azores/|url-status=live}}</ref> Preveza/Lefkada,<ref name="BA frequency increases"/> Rhodes, Rimini,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thebusinesstravelmag.com/ba-reintroduces-routes-and-expands-frequencies/|title=BA reintroduces routes and expands frequencies|first=Stuart|last=Forster|date=3 April 2025|access-date=26 November 2025|archive-date=24 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724150423/https://thebusinesstravelmag.com/ba-reintroduces-routes-and-expands-frequencies/|url-status=live}}</ref> St. Louis,<ref>{{cite web|title=British Airways Announces New Non-stop Flight Between St. Louis and London|website=STLPartnership|date=October 2025 |url=https://stlpartnership.com/british-airways-announces-new-non-stop-flight-between-st-louis-and-london/|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> Salzburg,<ref name="British Airways European frequency changes"/> San José (CR) (begins 25 October 2026),<ref name="BANW26"/> Santorini,<ref name="Alexaki-2024"/> Split,<ref name="British Airways Heathrow short"/> Thessaloniki,<ref name="British Airways top 25 destinations from Heathrow"/> Tivat,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zamaaero.com/20/11/2025/novosti-iz-regije/najave-british-pokrece-tivat-london-heathrow|title=NAJAVE: British pokreće Tivat-London Heathrow|website=zamaaero.com|date=20 November 2025|access-date=20 November 2025|language=hr|archive-date=30 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130202248/https://zamaaero.com/20/11/2025/novosti-iz-regije/najave-british-pokrece-tivat-london-heathrow/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tromsø,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/british-airways-to-launch-inaugural-tromso-service-in-december|title=British Airways to launch inaugural Tromsø service in December|website=Travel Weekly|access-date=15 June 2024|archive-date=13 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613104431/http://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/british-airways-to-launch-inaugural-tromso-service-in-december|url-status=live}}</ref> Zagreb,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.exyuaviation.com/2025/07/british-airways-to-suspend-zagreb.html|title=British Airways to suspend Zagreb service over winter|date=1 July 2025}}</ref> Zakynthos<ref name="Heathrow destinations"/>  | Brussels Airlines | Brussels<ref name="Flights resume between Brussels and London"/>  | Bulgaria Air | Sofia<ref name="Heathrow route map"/>  | Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Hong Kong (SAR) China HKG|pages=543-547}}</ref>  | China Airlines | Taipei–Taoyuan<ref name="OAG Flight Guide Worldwide-2025a">{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Taipei, Chinese Taipei TPE|pages=1253-1255}}</ref>  | China Eastern Airlines | Shanghai–Pudong<ref name="The Best Flight Options from the UK to China in 2025-2025"/>  | China Southern Airlines | Beijing–Daxing,<ref name="The Best Flight Options from the UK to China in 2025-2025"/> Guangzhou,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-CAN|title=Direct (non-stop) flights from London to Guangzhou - schedules - FlightsFrom.com|website=www.flightsfrom.com|access-date=6 October 2025|archive-date=30 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130180641/https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-CAN|url-status=live}}</ref> Wuhan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/china-southern-expands-london-service|title=China Southern Expands London Service {{pipe}} Aviation Week Network|website=aviationweek.com|access-date=26 November 2025|archive-date=29 January 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129002531/https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/china-southern-expands-london-service|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Croatia Airlines | Zagreb<ref name="Croatia Airlines 2023 summer flight schedule presented in London at WTM-2022">{{Cite web|url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatia-airlines-2023-summer-flight-schedule-presented-in-london-at-wtm/|title=Croatia Airlines 2023 summer flight schedule presented in London at WTM|date=9 November 2022|access-date=24 November 2025|archive-date=30 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130203435/https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatia-airlines-2023-summer-flight-schedule-presented-in-london-at-wtm/|url-status=live}}</ref> '''Seasonal:''' Split<ref name="Croatia Airlines 2023 summer flight schedule presented in London at WTM-2022"/>  | Delta Air Lines | Atlanta,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/05/delta-intercontinental-flight-routes-changes-summer-2025/| title=Delta Europe Scedule changes| archive-date=2 December 2025| access-date=24 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202010813/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/05/delta-intercontinental-flight-routes-changes-summer-2025/| url-status=live}}</ref> Boston,<ref name="www.flightsfrom.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR/DL|title=Delta flights from London, LHR - FlightsFrom.com|website=www.flightsfrom.com|access-date=5 October 2025|archive-date=8 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208211306/https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR/DL|url-status=live}}</ref> Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul,<ref name="www.flightsfrom.com" /> New York–JFK,<ref name="www.flightsfrom.com" /> Salt Lake City,<ref name="www.flightsfrom.com" /> Seattle/Tacoma<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/delta-air-lines-shuts-down-london-heathrow-to-orlando-route-after-brief-period-and-makes-bold-strategic-shift-to-focus-on-expanding-seattle-flights/| title=Delta adds more flight from Seattle to London| archive-date=30 January 2026| access-date=24 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130181243/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/delta-air-lines-shuts-down-london-heathrow-to-orlando-route-after-brief-period-and-makes-bold-strategic-shift-to-focus-on-expanding-seattle-flights/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | EgyptAir | Cairo<ref>{{OAGWorldMay2025Ref|title=Cairo, Egypt CAI|pages=198-201}}</ref> '''Seasonal:''' Luxor<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://egyptianstreets.com/2021/11/03/luxor-welcomes-first-flight-from-london-after-two-year-hiatus/|title=Luxor Welcomes First Flight From London After Two-Year Hiatus {{pipe}} Egyptian Streets|first=Marina|last=Makary|date=3 November 2021|access-date=6 October 2025|archive-date=2 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202110957/https://egyptianstreets.com/2021/11/03/luxor-welcomes-first-flight-from-london-after-two-year-hiatus/|url-status=live}}</ref>  | El Al | Tel Aviv<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/El-Al-to-boost-London-flights-to-meet-high-demand-| title=El Al adds more flights to Heathrow| archive-date=14 August 2025| access-date=24 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814002439/https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/El-Al-to-boost-London-flights-to-meet-high-demand-| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Emirates | Dubai–International<ref>{{OAGWorldMay2025Ref|title=Dubai, United Arab Emirates DXB|pages=337-343}}</ref>  | Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa<ref>{{OAGWorldMay2025Ref|title=Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ADD|pages=17-19}}</ref>  | Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates AUH|pages=14-16}}</ref>  | Eurowings | Berlin,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/eurowings-adds-berlin-connection-to-heathrow-schedule|title=Eurowings adds Berlin connection to Heathrow schedule|website=Travel Weekly|access-date=3 December 2025|archive-date=10 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210181844/https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/eurowings-adds-berlin-connection-to-heathrow-schedule|url-status=live}}</ref> Düsseldorf,<ref name="Eurowings Heathrow destinations">{{cite news| url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/eurowings-adds-berlin-connection-to-heathrow-schedule| title=Eurowings Heathrow destinations| archive-date=10 December 2025| access-date=3 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210181844/https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/eurowings-adds-berlin-connection-to-heathrow-schedule| url-status=live}}</ref> Hamburg,<ref name="Eurowings Heathrow destinations"/> Stuttgart<ref name="Eurowings Heathrow destinations"/>  | EVA Air | Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/Eva-Air-to-increase-flights-on-London-Bangkok-Taipei-route|title=Eva Air to increase flights on London-Bangkok-Taipei route|date=20 June 2022|website=www.businesstravelnewseurope.com|access-date=24 November 2025|archive-date=23 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723193651/https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/Eva-Air-to-increase-flights-on-London-Bangkok-Taipei-route|url-status=live}}</ref> Taipei–Taoyuan<ref name="OAG Flight Guide Worldwide-2025a"/>  | Finnair | Helsinki<ref>{{cite news| url=https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/finnair-adds-more-flights-between-london-and-helsinki/| title=Finnair adds more flight from Helsinki to London| archive-date=8 December 2025| access-date=24 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208111801/https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/finnair-adds-more-flights-between-london-and-helsinki/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Gulf Air | Bahrain<ref>{{OAGWorldMay2025Ref|title=Bahrain, Bahrain BAH|pages=88-90}}</ref>  | Hainan Airlines | Changsha,<ref name="Hainan Airlines adss more flights to London">{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/hainan-airlines-adding-heathrow-haikou-nonstop-service/| title=Hainan Airlines adss more flights to London| archive-date=8 December 2025| access-date=24 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208040911/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/hainan-airlines-adding-heathrow-haikou-nonstop-service/| url-status=live}}</ref> Haikou<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dahl |first1=Satu |title=Hainan Airlines: offering 5-star excellence on board |url=https://www.inflight-online.com/five-star-skytrax-carrier-hainan-airlines-offers-direct-london-haikou-route/ |website=Inflight |publisher=HMG Aerospace |access-date=7 October 2025 |date=11 August 2025 |archive-date=5 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905213034/https://www.inflight-online.com/five-star-skytrax-carrier-hainan-airlines-offers-direct-london-haikou-route/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hainan Airlines adss more flights to London"/>  | Iberia | Madrid<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.airdatanews.com/iberia-to-make-first-flights-with-the-a321xlr-to-london-and-paris/| title=Iberia to make first flights with the A321XLR to London and Paris - Air Data News| date=16 September 2024| website=www.airdatanews.com| access-date=24 November 2025| archive-date=1 December 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201204843/https://www.airdatanews.com/iberia-to-make-first-flights-with-the-a321xlr-to-london-and-paris/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Icelandair | Reykjavík–Keflavík<ref name="Heathrow route map"/>  | IndiGo | Delhi,<ref name="k186">{{cite web | title=IndiGo to launch direct Delhi–London Heathrow flights starting February 2026 | website=The Economic Times | date=2025-12-24 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/indigo-to-launch-direct-delhilondon-heathrow-flights-starting-february-2026/articleshow/126155834.cms?from=mdr | access-date=2025-12-24 | archive-date=24 December 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251224090724/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/indigo-to-launch-direct-delhilondon-heathrow-flights-starting-february-2026/articleshow/126155834.cms?from=mdr | url-status=live }}</ref> Mumbai<ref>{{cite news| url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/indigo-namaste-london-mumbai-london-heathrow-flights-october-26-10291389/| title=Indigo begins Mumbai to London daily flights| archive-date=6 October 2025| access-date=6 October 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006140556/https://indianexpress.com/article/business/indigo-namaste-london-mumbai-london-heathrow-flights-october-26-10291389/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | ITA Airways | Rome–Fiumicino<ref>{{cite web | last=Italiavola | first=Pubblicato da | title=ITA Airways : dalla summer 2026 apre da Roma su Heathrow e chiude la Roma – London City | website=Italiavola & Travel | date=28 October 2025 | url=https://italiavola.com/2025/10/28/ita-airways-dalla-summer-2026-apre-da-roma-su-heathrow-e-chiude-la-roma-london-city/ | language=it | access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref>  | Japan Airlines | Tokyo–Haneda<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/jal-to-fly-its-a350-1000s-to-london-heathrow/| title=JAL aircraft changes to Heathrow| archive-date=2 December 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202041031/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/jal-to-fly-its-a350-1000s-to-london-heathrow/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | JetBlue | Boston,<ref name="JetBlue London">{{cite news| url=https://paxex.aero/jetblue-london-heathrow-daytime-flight/| title=JetBlue London-US flights| archive-date=11 December 2025| access-date=24 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251211225052/https://paxex.aero/jetblue-london-heathrow-daytime-flight/| url-status=live}}</ref> New York–JFK<ref name="JetBlue London"/>  | Kenya Airways | Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta<ref>{{OAGWorldMay2025Ref|title=Nairobi, Kenya NBO|pages=776-778}}</ref>  | KLM | Amsterdam<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nationalworld.com/travel/travel-news/flights-to-amsterdam-today-routes-to-popular-destination-cancelled-5460489| title=KLM flights to Heathrow| archive-date=2 January 2026| access-date=19 January 2026| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260102110228/https://www.nationalworld.com/travel/travel-news/flights-to-amsterdam-today-routes-to-popular-destination-cancelled-5460489| url-status=live}}</ref>  | KM Malta Airlines | Malta<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/new-airline-replacing-air-malta-fly-march-31.1058754|title=New airline replacing Air Malta to fly on March 31, 2024|date=2 October 2023|access-date=24 October 2023|archive-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017065245/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/new-airline-replacing-air-malta-fly-march-31.1058754|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Korean Air | Seoul–Incheon<ref name="OAG Flight Guide Worldwide-2025b"/>  | Kuwait Airways | Kuwait City<ref>{{cite news| url=https://kuwaittimes.com/article/25757/world/europe/kuwait-airways-resumes-heathrow-flights-after-outage/| title=Kuwait Airways resumes flights to Heathrow| archive-date=9 December 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251209183814/https://kuwaittimes.com/article/25757/world/europe/kuwait-airways-resumes-heathrow-flights-after-outage/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | LATAM Brasil | São Paulo–Guarulhos<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/LATAM-to-reinstate-London-Sao-Paulo-flights| title=LATAM resumes London to Sao Paulo flight| archive-date=6 December 2025| access-date=6 October 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251206092416/https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/LATAM-to-reinstate-London-Sao-Paulo-flights| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Loganair | Derry,<ref name="Loganair London Heathrow flights">{{cite news| url=https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/loganair-gets-go-ahead-to-move-derry-and-dundee-flights-to-heathrow/| title=Loganair London Heathrow flights| archive-date=1 December 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201230924/https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/loganair-gets-go-ahead-to-move-derry-and-dundee-flights-to-heathrow/| url-status=live}}</ref> Dundee (ends 18 September 2026),<ref name="lg1">{{cite web |last1=Rankin |first1=Lynne |title=Flights from Dundee to London to end |url=https://news.stv.tv/north/flights-from-dundee-to-london-heathrow-to-end |website=STV News |access-date=14 May 2026 |date=30 April 2026}}</ref> Isle of Man,<ref name="Loganair London Heathrow flights"/> '''Seasonal:''' Kirkwall (ends 18 September 2026),<ref name="lg1"/>{{efn|Kirkwall service is a continuation of the Dundee service as the same flight number}}<ref name="Loganair London Heathrow flights"/> Sumburgh (ends 18 September 2026)<ref name="lg1"/>{{efn|Sumburgh service is a continuation of the Dundee service as the same flight number}}<ref name="Loganair London Heathrow flights"/>  | LOT Polish Airlines | Warsaw–Chopin<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/lot-polish-introduces-new-aircraft-london-warsaw-route/| title=LOT Polish launches new flights to Heathrow| archive-date=4 December 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251204145644/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/lot-polish-introduces-new-aircraft-london-warsaw-route/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Lufthansa | Frankfurt,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-FRA|title=Direct(non-stop) flights from London to Frankfurt - schedules - Flightsfrom.com|website=www.flightsfrom.com|access-date=19 January 2026|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228121314/https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-FRA|url-status=live}}</ref> Munich<ref name="flightsfrom.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-MUC|title=Direct (non-stop) flights from London to Munich - schedules - FlightsFrom.com|website=www.flightsfrom.com|access-date=5 November 2025|archive-date=5 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251205002121/https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-MUC|url-status=live}}</ref> '''Seasonal:''' Salzburg<ref name="Route map"/>  | Lufthansa City Airlines | Frankfurt,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thebusinesstravelmag.com/lufthansa-city-airlines-starts-flying-from-frankfurt/|title=Lufthansa City Airlines launches flights from Frankfurt to Heathrow}}</ref> Munich<ref name="flightsfrom.com"/>  | Malaysia Airlines | Kuala Lumpur–International<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/malaysia-airlines-resumes-london-flights-015409015.html|title=Malaysia Airlines resumes London flights as lights go back on in Heathrow|date=22 March 2025|website=Malay Mail via Yahoo News|access-date=3 October 2025|archive-date=4 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004003217/https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/malaysia-airlines-resumes-london-flights-015409015.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Middle East Airlines | Beirut<ref name="Heathrow-Middle East routes"/>  | Oman Air | Muscat<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/oman-to-increase-heathrow-muscat-service-to-twice-daily/| title=Oman Air adds more flights to London Heathrow| archive-date=4 October 2025| access-date=3 October 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004003204/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/oman-to-increase-heathrow-muscat-service-to-twice-daily/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | {{nowrap|Pakistan International Airlines}} | Islamabad,<ref>{{cite web|title=PIA plans to 'resume' London flights from March 2026|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/641432-pia-plans-to-resume-london-flights-from-march-2026|access-date=25 December 2025|archive-date=25 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251225130600/https://www.geo.tv/latest/641432-pia-plans-to-resume-london-flights-from-march-2026|url-status=live}}</ref> Lahore<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40401220| title=PIA resumes flights to Lahore| archive-date=13 January 2026| access-date=8 January 2026| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113100429/https://www.brecorder.com/news/40401220| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Qantas | Melbourne (resumes 25 October 2026),<ref>{{cite news|last=Flynn|first=David|url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-axes-a380-first-class-from-melbourne|title=Qantas axes A380, first class from Melbourne|date=10 March 2026|website=www.executivetraveller.com}}</ref> Perth,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/detail/9292| title=Qantas launches non-stop flights between Heathrow and Perth| archive-date=30 December 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230020615/https://mediacentre.heathrow.com/pressrelease/detail/9292| url-status=live}}</ref> Singapore,<ref name="Qantas Heathrow aircraft changes">{{cite news| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/08/24/qantas-replacing-a380-with-a350/| title=Qantas Heathrow aircraft changes| archive-date=28 August 2025| access-date=26 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828154508/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/08/24/qantas-replacing-a380-with-a350/| url-status=live}}</ref> Sydney–Kingsford Smith{{efn|Sydney service is a continuation of the Singapore service as the same flight number}}<ref name="Qantas Heathrow aircraft changes"/>  | Qatar Airways | Doha<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/qatar-airways-to-fly-to-london-heathrow-ten-times-daily-this-winter/| title=Qatar Airways adds more flights to London Heathrow| archive-date=4 October 2025| access-date=3 October 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004003204/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/qatar-airways-to-fly-to-london-heathrow-ten-times-daily-this-winter/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Riyadh Air | Riyadh<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=Peter|url=https://www.ft.com/content/431ce383-348f-4f4a-9bd3-321043e5fb19|title=New Saudi carrier Riyadh Air to launch with London service|website=www.ft.com|date=8 October 2025|access-date=8 October 2025|language=en-uk|archive-date=8 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008143019/https://www.ft.com/content/431ce383-348f-4f4a-9bd3-321043e5fb19|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Royal Air Maroc | Casablanca<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/more-to-morocco-royal-air-maroc-adds-stansted-airport-as-third-london-gateway|title= Royal Air Moroc increase frequency to London}}</ref>  | Royal Brunei Airlines | Bandar Seri Begawan,<ref name="businesstravelnewseurope.com">{{Cite web| title=Royal Brunei Airlines add flight to London via Dubai| date=22 May 2018| url=https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/Royal-Brunei-to-launch-daily-London-service| access-date=6 October 2025| archive-date=5 June 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605044251/https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/Royal-Brunei-to-launch-daily-London-service| url-status=live}}</ref> Dubai–International<ref name="businesstravelnewseurope.com"/>  | Royal Jordanian | Amman–Queen Alia<ref name="Heathrow-Middle East routes"/>  | RwandAir | Kigali<ref>{{cite news| url=https://travelradar.aero/rwandair-plans-to-boost-heathrow-route-with-leased-a330/| title=RwandAir increase frequency to Heathrow| archive-date=30 November 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130091231/https://travelradar.aero/rwandair-plans-to-boost-heathrow-route-with-leased-a330/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Saudia | Dammam,<ref> https://www.heathrow.com/travel-guides/route-map</ref> Jeddah,<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Jeddah, Saudi Arabia JED|pages=597-600}}</ref> Riyadh<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Riyadh, Saudi Arabia RUH|pages=1091-1094}}</ref>  | Scandinavian Airlines | Copenhagen,<ref name="SAS Heathrow destinations">{{cite news| url=https://www.travelpulse.ca/news/airlines-airports/westjet-and-sas-announce-codeshare-partnership|title=SAS Heathrow destinations>}}</ref> Oslo,<ref name="SAS Heathrow destinations"/> Stockholm–Arlanda<ref name="SAS Heathrow destinations"/>  | Shenzhen Airlines | Shenzhen<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/shenzhen-airlines-opens-bookings-for-new-london-route/|title=Shenzhen Airlines opens bookings for new London route|first=Craig|last=Bright|date=10 July 2018|access-date=26 November 2025|archive-date=4 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251204125641/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/shenzhen-airlines-opens-bookings-for-new-london-route/|url-status=live}}</ref>  | Singapore Airlines | Singapore<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Singapore, Singapore SIN|pages=1214-1219}}</ref>  | SriLankan Airlines | Colombo–Bandaranaike<ref>{{cite news|url=https://island.lk/srilankan-airlines-flights-to-and-from-london-heathrow-airport-cancelled-today/|title=SriLankan Airlines Heathrow frequency changes|archive-date=25 April 2025|access-date=19 January 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425185659/https://island.lk/srilankan-airlines-flights-to-and-from-london-heathrow-airport-cancelled-today/|url-status=live}}</ref>  | {{nowrap|Swiss International Air Lines}} | Geneva,<ref name="Heathrow route map"/> Zurich<ref name="Heathrow route map"/>  | TAP Air Portugal | Lisbon<ref name="Heathrow route map"/>  | {{nowrap|Thai Airways International}} | Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Bangkok, Thailand BKK|pages=109-113}}</ref>  | Tianjin Airlines | Chongqing,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-CKG|title=Direct (non-stop) flights from London to Chongqing - schedules - FlightsFrom.com|website=www.flightsfrom.com|access-date=6 October 2025|archive-date=30 November 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130201947/https://www.flightsfrom.com/LHR-CKG|url-status=live}}</ref> Tianjin,<ref name="‌天津航空冬春航季">{{Cite web |title=‌天津航空冬春航季，邀您悦享万里河山，连通世界精彩 |url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/RyfEpZwyn3_BlMOY37c1_g |access-date=7 November 2025 |archive-date=20 December 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251220184253/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/RyfEpZwyn3_BlMOY37c1_g |url-status=live }}</ref> Xi'an<ref name="‌天津航空冬春航季"/>  | Tunisair | Tunis<ref>{{cite news| url=https://en.africanmanager.com/tunisia-tunisair-operates-4-weekly-flights-to-heathrow-2-to-gatwick/| title=Tunisar Tunis London flights| archive-date=3 December 2025| access-date=6 October 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251203133303/https://en.africanmanager.com/tunisia-tunisair-operates-4-weekly-flights-to-heathrow-2-to-gatwick/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Turkish Airlines | Istanbul<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/turkish-airlines-adds-flights-from-birmingham-dublin-edinburgh-gatwick-heathrow-and-manchester/| title=Turkish Airlines increses frequencies to UK and Ireland| archive-date=1 December 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201060835/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/turkish-airlines-adds-flights-from-birmingham-dublin-edinburgh-gatwick-heathrow-and-manchester/| url-status=live}}</ref>  | United Airlines | Chicago–O'Hare,<ref name="Orban-2021">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/united-airlines/united-airlines-adds-five-new-flights-from-the-u-s-to-london-heathrow-in-spring-2022/|title=United Airlines adds five new flights from the U.S. to London Heathrow in spring 2022|first=André|last=Orban|date=29 October 2021|access-date=26 November 2025|archive-date=4 December 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251204193428/https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/united-airlines/united-airlines-adds-five-new-flights-from-the-u-s-to-london-heathrow-in-spring-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref> Denver,<ref name="Orban-2021"/> Houston–Intercontinental,<ref name="United Airlines Heathrow destinations">{{cite news| url=https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/united-airlines/united-airlines-adds-five-new-flights-from-the-u-s-to-london-heathrow-in-spring-2022/| title=United Airlines Heathrow destinations| archive-date=4 December 2025| access-date=26 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251204193428/https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/united-airlines/united-airlines-adds-five-new-flights-from-the-u-s-to-london-heathrow-in-spring-2022/| url-status=live}}</ref> Los Angeles,<ref name="United Airlines Heathrow destinations"/> Newark,<ref name="United Airlines Heathrow destinations"/> San Francisco,<ref name="United Airlines Heathrow destinations"/> Washington–Dulles<ref name="United Airlines Heathrow destinations"/>  | Uzbekistan Airways | Tashkent<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/Uzbekistan-Airways-to-introduce-new-route-from-Gatwick| title=Uzbekistan Airways London expansion| archive-date=25 July 2025| access-date=26 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725070222/https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Air-Travel/Uzbekistan-Airways-to-introduce-new-route-from-Gatwick| url-status=live}}</ref>  | Vietnam Airlines | Hanoi,<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Hanoi, Viet Nam HAN|pages=522-524}}</ref> Ho Chi Minh City<ref>{{OAGWorldAug2025Ref|title=Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam SGN|pages=538-541}}</ref>  | Virgin Atlantic | Antigua,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/jamaica-joins-turks-and-caicos-dominica-grenada-st-lucia-and-more-as-virgin-atlantic-unveils-expanded-caribbean-network-to-revolutionize-tourism-connectivity-new-updates-you-need-to-know/|title=Jamaica Joins Turks And Caicos, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, And More As Virgin Atlantic Unveils Expanded Caribbean Network To Revolutionize Tourism Connectivity: New Updates You Need To Know - Travel And Tour World|date=23 November 2025|access-date=29 November 2025|archive-date=31 January 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131114839/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/jamaica-joins-turks-and-caicos-dominica-grenada-st-lucia-and-more-as-virgin-atlantic-unveils-expanded-caribbean-network-to-revolutionize-tourism-connectivity-new-updates-you-need-to-know/|url-status=live}}</ref> Atlanta,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion">{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/virgin-atlantic-seoul-riyadh/| title=Virgin Atlantic global expansion}}</ref> Barbados,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic Caribbean expansion">{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/jamaica-joins-turks-and-caicos-dominica-grenada-st-lucia-and-more-as-virgin-atlantic-unveils-expanded-caribbean-network-to-revolutionize-tourism-connectivity-new-updates-you-need-to-know/| title=Virgin Atlantic Caribbean expansion| archive-date=31 January 2026| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131114839/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/jamaica-joins-turks-and-caicos-dominica-grenada-st-lucia-and-more-as-virgin-atlantic-unveils-expanded-caribbean-network-to-revolutionize-tourism-connectivity-new-updates-you-need-to-know/| url-status=live}}</ref> Bengaluru,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Boston,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Cancún,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.caribjournal.com/2025/10/05/virgin-atlantic-cancun/| title=Virgin Atlantic resumes flights to Cancun| archive-date=6 December 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251206082731/https://www.caribjournal.com/2025/10/05/virgin-atlantic-cancun/| url-status=live}}</ref> Delhi,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Grenada,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic Caribbean expansion"/> Johannesburg–O.R. Tambo,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/virgin-atlantic-adjusts-johannesburg-london-heathrow-flight-schedule-from-october-of-this-year-to-avail-new-travel-convenience-and-enhance-connectivity/| title=Virgin Atlantic Johannesburg frequency changes| archive-date=3 December 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251203064203/https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/virgin-atlantic-adjusts-johannesburg-london-heathrow-flight-schedule-from-october-of-this-year-to-avail-new-travel-convenience-and-enhance-connectivity/| url-status=live}}</ref> Lagos,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://businessday.ng/aviation/article/virgin-atlantic-resumes-london-lagos-flights-september-10/| location=Lagos, Nigeria| title=Virgin Atlantic resumes flights to Lagos| newspaper=BusinessDay| archive-date=1 December 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251201001604/https://businessday.ng/aviation/article/virgin-atlantic-resumes-london-lagos-flights-september-10/| url-status=live}}</ref> Las Vegas,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Los Angeles,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Miami,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Montego Bay,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic Caribbean expansion"/> Mumbai,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> New York–JFK,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Orlando,<ref name="Flights between Europe and US"/> St. Vincent–Argyle,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic Caribbean expansion"/> San Francisco,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Seoul–Incheon,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/virgin-atlantic-adds-new-route-to-seoul | title=Virgin Atlantic adds new route to Seoul | access-date=24 April 2025 | archive-date=16 August 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816033700/https://travelgossip.co.uk/latestnews/virgin-atlantic-adds-new-route-to-seoul/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Tampa,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> Toronto–Pearson,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/virgin-atlantics-new-heathrow-toronto-route-takes-off| title=Virgin Atlantic launches news flight to Toronto| archive-date=28 November 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251128222557/https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/virgin-atlantics-new-heathrow-toronto-route-takes-off| url-status=live}}</ref> Washington–Dulles<ref name="Virgin Atlantic global expansion"/> '''Seasonal:''' Cape Town,<ref name="Virgin Atlantic increases frequencies to Cape Town and Dubai">{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/virgin-atlantic-to-increase-capacity-to-dubai-and-cape-town/| title=Virgin Atlantic increases frequencies to Cape Town and Dubai| archive-date=18 December 2025| access-date=29 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218061432/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/virgin-atlantic-to-increase-capacity-to-dubai-and-cape-town/| url-status=live}}</ref> Malé,<ref>{{cite news|last=Mayling|first=Samantha| url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/virgin-atlantic-unveils-new-services-to-maldives-and-turks-caicos|title=Virgin Atlantic unveils new services to Maldives and Turks and Caicos|work=Travel Weekly|date=17 November 2022|access-date=17 November 2022|archive-date=21 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221190811/https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/virgin-atlantic-unveils-new-services-to-maldives-and-turks-caicos|url-status=live}}</ref> Phuket (begins 18 October 2026),<ref>{{cite news| url=https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/10/30/virgin-atlantic-launching-new-flights-with-787-to-phuket/| title=Virgin Atlantic launches flights to Phuket| archive-date=8 November 2025| access-date=30 October 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251108065345/https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/10/30/virgin-atlantic-launching-new-flights-with-787-to-phuket/| url-status=live}}</ref> Seattle/Tacoma<ref name="Flights between Europe and US"/>  | Vueling | Barcelona,<ref name="Vueling">{{cite web | url=https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/516494/vueling-adds-two-routes-from-heathrow | title=Vueling adds two routes from Heathrow | access-date=14 February 2024 | archive-date=14 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214120108/https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/516494/vueling-adds-two-routes-from-heathrow | url-status=live }}</ref> Bilbao,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/vueling-to-launch-flights-from-heathrow-to-bilbao-and-santiago-de-compostela/| title=Vueling launches flights to Bilbao| archive-date=3 December 2025| access-date=25 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251203044840/https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/vueling-to-launch-flights-from-heathrow-to-bilbao-and-santiago-de-compostela/| url-status=live}}</ref> Paris–Orly,<ref name="Vueling"/> Santiago de Compostela,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/santiago/santiago/2025/01/23/vueling-estrenara-proximo-30-marzo-nueva-conexion-santiago-londres-heathrow/00031737651090536884977.htm|title=Vueling estrenará el próximo 30 de marzo una nueva conexión entre Santiago y Londres-Heathrow|website=La Voz de Santiago|date=23 January 2025|access-date=23 January 2025|archive-date=24 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124215708/https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/santiago/santiago/2025/01/23/vueling-estrenara-proximo-30-marzo-nueva-conexion-santiago-londres-heathrow/00031737651090536884977.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Seville<ref>{{cite web | last=Martínez | first=Pilar | title=Vueling boosts flight connectivity in Andalucía with five million seats, half of them at Malaga Airport | website=Sur in English | date=6 November 2025 | url=https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/vueling-flights-regional-airports-seville-malaga-20251106064829-nt.html | access-date=12 November 2025 | archive-date=15 November 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251115145819/https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/vueling-flights-regional-airports-seville-malaga-20251106064829-nt.html | url-status=live }}</ref>  | WestJet | Calgary<ref name="OAG Flight Guide Worldwide-2025c"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/westjet-announces-route-details-for-new-yyc-lhr-service.html|title=WestJet Announces Routes Details for New YYC-LHR route|publisher=ca.travelpulse.com|date=1 December 2021|access-date=1 December 2021|archive-date=2 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002230940/https://ca.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/westjet-announces-route-details-for-new-yyc-lhr-service.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  }}

===Cargo===  {{Airport destination list  | Aerotranscargo<ref>{{cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.atc-md.aero/|website=Aerotranscargo|access-date=21 September 2023|archive-date=17 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617081039/https://www.atc-md.aero/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=ER-JAI Take off from Heathrow LHR|url=https://www.atc-md.aero/er-jai-take-off-from-heathrow-lhr/|work=Aerotranscargo|date=2 January 2021|access-date=21 September 2023|archive-date=29 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929000220/https://www.atc-md.aero/er-jai-take-off-from-heathrow-lhr/|url-status=live}}</ref> | Astana, Hong Kong  | Cathay Cargo<ref>[http://www.cathaypacificcargo.com/en-us/manageyourshipment/checkflightschedule.aspx cathaypacificcargo.com – Check Flight Schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217135700/http://www.cathaypacificcargo.com/en-us/manageyourshipment/checkflightschedule.aspx |date=17 December 2022 }} retrieved 1 March 2020</ref> | Hong Kong, Paris–Charles de Gaulle  | DHL Aviation<ref>[https://aviationcargo.dhl.com/destinations-served dhl.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505063723/https://aviationcargo.dhl.com/destinations-served |date=5 May 2022 }} retrieved 20 January 2021</ref> | Amsterdam, Brussels, Cincinnati, Leipzig/Halle, Milan–Malpensa  | Korean Air Cargo<ref>[https://cargo.koreanair.com/en/weekly-schedule cargo.koreanair.com – Weekly Schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101150512/https://cargo.koreanair.com/en/weekly-schedule |date=1 November 2021 }} retrieved 1 March 2020</ref> | Frankfurt, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Seoul–Incheon  | Lufthansa Cargo<ref>[https://lufthansa-cargo.com/de/network/schedule-routings lufthansa-cargo.com – Routes & Schedules] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605030717/https://lufthansa-cargo.com/de/network/schedule-routings |date=5 June 2023 }} retrieved 20 September 2022</ref> | Frankfurt  | One Air<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kulisch |first1=Eric |url=https://www.freightwaves.com/news/uk-startup-one-air-launches-cargo-service-with-1-jumbo-jet|title=UK startup One Air launches cargo service with 1 jumbo jet|work=FreightWaves |publisher=Freight Waves|date=25 July 2023|access-date=28 July 2023|archive-date=28 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728135141/https://www.freightwaves.com/news/uk-startup-one-air-launches-cargo-service-with-1-jumbo-jet|url-status=live}}</ref> | Jinan  | Qatar Airways Cargo<ref>[http://www.qrcargo.com/docs/07.Summer%2019%20Freighter%20Schedule%20Issue%207%20-%20Effective%201st%20October%202019%20to%2026th%20October%202019.pdf qrcargo.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808230535/https://www.qrcargo.com/docs/07.Summer%2019%20Freighter%20Schedule%20Issue%207%20-%20Effective%201st%20October%202019%20to%2026th%20October%202019.pdf |date=8 August 2020 }} retrieved 12 September 2019</ref> | Doha, Munich  | Singapore Airlines Cargo<ref>[http://www.siacargo.com/ccn/ScheduleSearch.aspx siacargo.com – Flight Schedules] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201142707/http://www.siacargo.com/ccn/ScheduleSearch.aspx |date=1 December 2019 }} retrieved 24 November 2019</ref> | Amsterdam, Sharjah, Singapore  | Virgin Atlantic<ref>[https://corporate.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/media/press-releases/virgin-atlantic-operates-flights-to-brussels.html Virgin Atlantic operates flights to Brussels for the winter season] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214103219/https://corporate.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/media/press-releases/virgin-atlantic-operates-flights-to-brussels.html |date=14 December 2024 }} retrieved 14 December 2024</ref> | '''Seasonal:''' Brussels  }}

==Air traffic and statistics== ===Overview=== thumb|upright=2.05|Development of passenger numbers, aircraft movements and air freight between 1986 and 2014 When ranked by passenger traffic, Heathrow is the eighth busiest airport internationally, behind Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Istanbul Airport, for the 12 months ending December 2022.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 April 2023 |title=The top 10 busiest airports in the world by passenger numbers |url=https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/32311/top-10-busiest-airports-world-passenger-number/ |publisher=International Airport Review |access-date=24 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928231001/https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/32311/top-10-busiest-airports-world-passenger-number/ |url-status=live }}</ref> London Heathrow Airport was noted as the best-connected airport globally in 2019 according to the OAG's Megahubs Index with a connectivity score of 317. Dominant carrier British Airways was recorded as holding a 51% share of flights at the hub.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oag.com/oag-megahubs-2019|title=Megahubs Index 2019|publisher=OAG|location=Luton|date=29 October 2019|access-date=5 June 2022|archive-date=27 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927151251/https://www.oag.com/oag-megahubs-2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Heathrow was the busiest airport in Europe in total passenger traffic, with 14% more passengers than Paris–Charles de Gaulle Airport<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/group/finance/investor-relations/traffic|title=Investor Relations – Paris Airports Traffic|publisher=Aeroports De Paris|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313085015/http://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/group/finance/investor-relations/traffic|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and 22% more than Istanbul Atatürk Airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dhmi.gov.tr/istatistik.aspx|title=Turkish Airport Statistics|publisher=DHMI|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510154340/http://dhmi.gov.tr/istatistik.aspx|archive-date=10 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Heathrow was the fourth busiest European airport by cargo traffic in 2013, after Frankfurt Airport, Paris–Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aci.aero/Data-Centre/Annual-Traffic-Data/Cargo/2016-final-summary|title=Cargo Traffic 2013 Final|year=2013|access-date=23 March 2018|publisher=Airports Council International|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141937/http://www.aci.aero/Data-Centre/Annual-Traffic-Data/Cargo/2016-final-summary|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Heathrow's passenger numbers dropped sharply by over 72%, (a decrease of 58{{nbsp}}million travellers compared to 2019), due to the impact caused by restrictions and/or travel bans caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. More than four million passengers travelled on domestic and international flights in and out of Heathrow in March 2023, meaning it was once again the busiest airport in Europe after falling to the second spot in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://businesstravelerusa.com/news/london-heathrow-reigns-supreme-as-europes-busiest-airport/|title=Europe's Busiest Airports|date=12 April 2023|website=Business Traveler USA|access-date=25 September 2023|archive-date=25 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925170846/https://businesstravelerusa.com/news/london-heathrow-reigns-supreme-as-europes-busiest-airport/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 November 2024, it was reported that Heathrow Airport is testing the usage of Artificial Intelligence, a system known as Amy, to assist air controllers in managing one of the world's busiest airports. The system, which relies heavily on the efficiency of coordination, is capable of tracking aircraft across a wide airspace with the combination of radar and video data collected from the ground.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2024 |title=How AI is being piloted to help direct air traffic at Heathrow airport |url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/11/29/one-of-the-worlds-busiest-airports-is-piloting-using-ai-to-assist-air-traffic-control |access-date=6 December 2024 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207060521/https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/11/29/one-of-the-worlds-busiest-airports-is-piloting-using-ai-to-assist-air-traffic-control |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Annual traffic statistics=== {{sticky header}} {|class="wikitable sortable sticky-header-multi" style="padding:0.5em; text-align:center" |+Annual traffic statistics at Heathrow<ref>{{Cite report|url=https://www.heathrow.com/company/investor-centre/reports/traffic-statistics|title=Traffic statistics|date=6 October 2022|publisher=Heathrow Airport Holdings|location=London|archive-date=9 March 2023|access-date=22 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309002807/https://www.heathrow.com/company/investor-centre/reports/traffic-statistics|url-status=live}}</ref> ! rowspan=2|Year ! colspan=2|Passengers handled{{efn|Number of passengers including domestic, international and transit}} ! colspan=2|Cargo ! colspan=2|Aircraft movements |- ! Numbers ! % change ! (tonnes) ! % change ! Numbers ! % change |- |1986||31,675,779||{{sort|26|{{nochange}}}}||537,131||{{sort|27|{{nochange}}}}||315,753||{{nochange}} |- |1987||35,079,755||{{increase}}{{sort|02|10.7}}||574,116||{{increase}}{{sort|09|6.9}}||329,977||{{increase}} 4.3 |- |1988||37,840,503||{{increase}}{{sort|04|7.9}}||642,147||{{increase}}{{sort|05|11.8}}||351,592||{{increase}} 6.1 |- |1989||39,881,922||{{increase}}{{sort|08|5.4}}||686,170||{{increase}}{{sort|10|6.9}}||368,429||{{increase}} 4.6 |- |1990||42,950,512||{{increase}}{{sort|05|7.7}}||695,347||{{increase}}{{sort|17|1.3}}||390,372||{{increase}} 5.6 |- |1991||40,494,575||{{decrease}}{{sort|24|5.7}}||654,625||{{decrease}}{{sort|23|5.9}}||381,724||{{decrease}} 2.3 |- |1992||45,242,591||{{increase}}{{sort|01|11.7}}||754,770||{{increase}}{{sort|01|15.3}}||406,481||{{increase}} 6.1 |- |1993||47,899,081||{{increase}}{{sort|07|5.9}}||846,486||{{increase}}{{sort|04|12.2}}||411,173||{{increase}} 1.1 |- |1994||51,713,366||{{increase}}{{sort|03|8.0}}||962,738||{{increase}}{{sort|03|13.7}}||424,557||{{increase}} 3.2 |- |1995||54,461,597||{{increase}}{{sort|10|5.3}}||1,031,639||{{increase}}{{sort|08|7.2}}||434,525||{{increase}} 2.3 |- |1996||56,049,706||{{increase}}{{sort|15|2.9}}||1,040,486||{{increase}}{{sort|18|0.9}}||440,343||{{increase}} 1.3 |- |1997||58,185,398||{{increase}}{{sort|13|3.8}}||1,156,104||{{increase}}{{sort|06|11.1}}||440,631||{{increase}} 0.1 |- |1998||60,683,988||{{increase}}{{sort|11|4.3}}||1,208,893||{{increase}}{{sort|13|4.6}}||451,382||{{increase}} 2.4 |- |1999||62,268,292||{{increase}}{{sort|16|2.6}}||1,265,495||{{increase}}{{sort|12|4.7}}||458,300||{{increase}} 1.5 |- |2000||64,618,254||{{increase}}{{sort|14|3.8}}||1,306,905||{{increase}}{{sort|16|3.3}}||466,799||{{increase}} 1.8 |- |2001||60,764,924||{{decrease}}{{sort|25|6.0}}||1,180,306||{{decrease}}{{sort|26|9.6}}||463,567||{{decrease}} 0.7 |- |2002||63,362,097||{{increase}}{{sort|12|4.3}}||1,234,940||{{increase}}{{sort|14|4.6}}||466,545||{{increase}} 0.6 |- |2003||63,495,367||{{increase}}{{sort|19|0.2}}||1,223,439||{{decrease}}{{sort|20|0.9}}||463,650||{{decrease}} 0.6 |- |2004||67,342,743||{{increase}}{{sort|06|6.1}}||1,325,173||{{increase}}{{sort|07|8.3}}||476,001||{{increase}} 2.6 |- |2005||67,913,153||{{increase}}{{sort|17|0.8}}||1,305,686||{{decrease}}{{sort|21|1.5}}||477,887||{{increase}} 0.4 |- |2006||67,527,923||{{decrease}}{{sort|21|0.6}}||1,264,129||{{decrease}}{{sort|22|3.2}}||477,048||{{decrease}} 0.2 |- |2007||68,066,028||{{increase}}{{sort|18|0.8}}||1,310,987||{{increase}}{{sort|15|3.7}}||481,476||{{increase}} 0.9 |- |2008||67,054,745||{{decrease}}{{sort|22|1.5}}||1,397,054||{{increase}}{{sort|11|6.6}}||478,693||{{decrease}} 0.6 |- |2009||66,036,957||{{decrease}}{{sort|23|1.5}}||1,277,650||{{decrease}}{{sort|24|8.5}}||466,393||{{decrease}} 2.6 |- |2010||65,881,660||{{decrease}} {{sort|20|0.2}}||1,472,988||{{increase}}{{sort|02|15.3}}||454,823||{{decrease}} 2.5 |- |2011||69,433,230||{{increase}} {{sort|09|5.4}}||1,484,351||{{increase}}{{sort|19|0.8}}||480,906||{{increase}} 5.4 |- |2012||70,037,417||{{increase}} {{sort|09|0.9}}||1,464,390||{{decrease}}{{sort|25|1.3}}||475,176||{{decrease}} 1.2 |- |2013||72,367,054||{{increase}} {{sort|09|3.3}}||1,422,939|| {{decrease}}{{sort|24|2.8}}||471,936||{{decrease}} 0.7 |- |2014||73,374,825||{{increase}} {{sort|20|1.4}}||1,498,906|| {{increase}}{{sort|22|5.3}}||472,802||{{increase}} 0.2 |- |2015||74,959,058||{{increase}} {{sort|20|2.2}}||1,496,551|| {{decrease}}{{sort|22|0.2}}||473,087||{{increase}} 2.7 |- |2016||75,676,223||{{increase}} {{sort|20|1.0}}||1,541,029|| {{increase}}{{sort|23|3.0}}||473,231||{{increase}} 0.2 |- |2017||77,988,752||{{increase}} {{sort|20|3.1}}||1,698,455|| {{increase}}{{sort|23|9.3}}||474,033||{{increase}} 0.6 |- |2018||80,102,017||{{increase}} {{sort|20|2.7}}||1,788,815|| {{increase}}{{sort|23|5.3}}||477,604||{{increase}} 1.0 |- |2019||80,884,310||{{increase}} {{sort|09|0.9}}||1,587,451|| {{decrease}}{{sort|23|11.2}}||475,861||{{decrease}} 0.3 |- |2020||22,109,723||{{decrease}} {{sort|09|72.7}}||1,150,030|| {{decrease}}{{sort|23|28.0}}||200,905||{{decrease}}57.8 |- |2021||19,393,145||{{decrease}} {{sort|09|12.3}}||1,402,913|| {{increase}}{{sort|23|22.0}}||190,032||{{decrease}}5.4 |- |2022||61,611,838||{{increase}} {{sort|09|217.6}}||1,350,878|| {{decrease}}{{sort|23|3.7}}||384,383||{{increase}}98.7 |- |2023||79,151,723||{{increase}} {{sort|09|28.5}}||1,387,060|| {{increase}}{{sort|23|2.7}}||454,089||{{increase}}18.1 |- |2024||83,859,729||{{increase}} {{sort|09|5.3}}||1,536,384|| {{increase}}{{sort|23|9.2}}||473,965||{{increase}}3.9 |}

===Busiest routes=== {|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:align" |+ Busiest international routes from Heathrow (2025) ! Rank ! Destination ! Passengers ! Change 2024 / 25 |- | 1 | New York–JFK, United States | 3,220,238 | {{decrease}} 0.6% |- | 2 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2,539,936 | {{decrease}} 1.0% |- | 3 | Doha, Qatar | 2,150,321 | {{increase}} 7.2% |- | 4 | Dublin, Ireland | 1,823,638 | {{decrease}} 4.1% |- | 5 | New Delhi, India | 1,525,729 | {{increase}} 6.1% |- | 6 | Madrid, Spain | 1,501,118 | {{decrease}} 3.1% |- | 7 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 1,469,288 | {{increase}} 0.6% |- | 8 | Los Angeles, United States | 1,459,443 | {{decrease}} 13.1% |- | 9 | Singapore–Changi, Singapore | 1,411,442 | {{decrease}} 6.6% |- | 10 | Frankfurt, Germany | 1,379,388 | {{decrease}} 2.7% |- | 11 | Munich, Germany | 1,305,493 | {{decrease}} 0.3% |- | 12 | Istanbul, Turkey | 1,292,819 | {{decrease}} 0.1% |- | 13 | Mumbai, India | 1,240,364 | {{increase}} 9.7% |- | 14 | Toronto, Canada | 1,214,726 | {{increase}} 3.5% |- | 15 | Hong Kong | 1,212,725 | {{increase}} 2.8% |- | 16 | Paris, France | 1,163,733 | {{increase}} 3.2% |- | 17 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | 1,147,835 | {{decrease}} 0.9% |- | 18 | Zurich, Switzerland | 1,140,592 | {{decrease}} 1.3% |- | 19 | Lisbon, Portugal | 1,125,791 | {{increase}} 0.4% |- | 20 | Boston, United States | 1,105,185 | {{increase}} 3.2% |- class="sortbottom" | colspan="4" style="text-align:right;"| ''Source: CAA Statistics''<ref name="p883">{{cite web | title=Annual airport data 2025 | website=UK Civil Aviation Authority | date=2025-06-25 | url=https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/uk-aviation-market/airports/uk-airport-data/uk-airport-data-2025/annual-2025/ | access-date=2026-03-19}}</ref> |}

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:align" |+ Busiest domestic routes from Heathrow (2025) ! Rank ! Destination ! Passengers ! Change 2024 / 25 |- | 1 | Edinburgh | 1,089,587 | {{decrease}} 6.1% |- | 2 | Glasgow | 959,919 | {{increase}} 0.7% |- | 3 | Belfast-City | 611,634 | {{increase}} 4.5% |- | 4 | Manchester | 606,085 | {{decrease}} 3.7% |- | 5 | Aberdeen | 555,033 | {{decrease}} 2.5% |- | 6 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 479,742 | {{decrease}} 3.6% |- | 7 | Jersey | 284,682 | {{decrease}} 15.0% |- | 8 | Inverness | 175,605 | {{increase}} 9.6% |- | 9 | Derry | 77,721 | {{increase}} 4.3% |- | 10 | Isle of Man | 29,590 | {{decrease}} 12.4% |- class="sortbottom" | colspan="4" style="text-align:right;"| ''Source: CAA Statistics''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual airport data 2025 |url=https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-analysis/uk-aviation-market/airports/uk-airport-data/ |access-date=19 March 2026}}</ref> |}

==Other facilities== [[File:Compass Building on the Bath Road by Philip Jeffrey.jpg|thumb|The Compass Centre, the head office of Heathrow Airport Holdings]] The head office of Heathrow Airport Holdings (formerly BAA Limited) is located in the Compass Centre by Heathrow's northern runway, a building that previously served as a British Airways flight crew centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishairwaysjobs.com/baweb1/?newms=info41|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303141450/http://www.britishairwaysjobs.com/baweb1/?newms=info41|archive-date=3 March 2006|title=Explore Our Working World|publisher=British Airways|date=3 March 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> The World Business Centre Heathrow consists of three buildings. 1 World Business Centre houses offices of Heathrow Airport Holdings, Heathrow Airport itself, and Scandinavian Airlines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thearoragroup.com/business/property/world-business-centre-heathrow|title=World Business Centre Heathrow|publisher=thearoragroup.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324070901/http://www.thearoragroup.com/business/property/world-business-centre-heathrow|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously International Airlines Group had its head office in 2 World Business Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iairgroup.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=240949&p=contact|title=IAG – International Airlines Group – Investor Relations Team|publisher=Iairgroup.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826031348/http://www.iairgroup.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=240949&p=contact|archive-date=26 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iairgroup.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=240949&p=aboutoverview|title=IAG – International Airlines Group – About Us|publisher=Iairgroup.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903230804/http://www.iairgroup.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=240949&p=aboutoverview|archive-date=3 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

At one time, the British Airways head office was located within Heathrow Airport at Speedbird House<ref>"World Airline Directory." ''Flight International''. 26 March – 1 April 1997. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1997/1997%20-%200826.html?search=%22British%20Airways%22 58] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306010603/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1997/1997%20-%200826.html?search=%22British%20Airways%22 |date=6 March 2012 }}. "Speedbird House, PO Box 10, London Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2JA, UK."</ref> before the completion of Waterside, the current BA head office in Harmondsworth, in June 1998.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=McKellar |first1=Susie |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xsHsnIUPGw0C&dq=Waterside+completed+june+1998&pg=PA200 |title=Interior Design and Identity |last2=Sparke |first2=Penny |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7190-6729-7 |page=200 |chapter=The Contemporary Office |access-date=12 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518094217/https://books.google.com/books?id=xsHsnIUPGw0C&pg=PA200&dq=Waterside+completed+june+1998&cd=2#v=onepage&q=Waterside%20completed%20june%201998&f=false |archive-date=18 May 2016 |url-status=live |via=Google Books}}</ref>

To the north of the airfield lies the Northern Perimeter Road, along which most of Heathrow's car rental agencies are based, and Bath Road, which runs parallel to it, but outside the airport campus.

==Ground transport== ===Public transport=== thumb|Heathrow Airport tube and rail stations

====Train==== [[File:Paddington - GWR 387141%2B387130 arriving from Heathrow.JPG|thumb|Heathrow Express Class 387 at London Paddington]] There are three train services to Central London: * Heathrow Express: a non-stop service direct to London Paddington; trains leave every 15{{nbsp}}minutes for the 15-minute journey (21{{nbsp}}minutes to and from Terminal 5). Trains depart from Heathrow Terminal 5 station or Heathrow Central station (Terminals 2 & 3). There is a free transfer service between Terminal 4 and Heathrow Central to connect with services from London and Terminal 5. * Elizabeth line: a stopping service to Abbey Wood and Shenfield via Paddington and central London – six trains per hour, two originating from Terminal 5 and four originating from Terminal 4.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elizabeth line timetable 21 May to 9 Dec 2023 |url=https://content.tfl.gov.uk/elizabeth-line-timetable-may-2023.pdf |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=24 May 2023 |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526055814/https://content.tfl.gov.uk/elizabeth-line-timetable-may-2023.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Calls at Hayes & Harlington for connecting trains to Reading. Scheduled journey time into Central London is around 35{{nbsp}}minutes. * London Underground (Piccadilly line): four stations serve the airport: Terminal 2 & 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 serve the passenger terminals; Hatton Cross serves the maintenance areas. The usual journey time from Heathrow Central to Central London is around 40–50{{nbsp}}minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/trains|title=Heathrow Airport trains|publisher=Heathrow Airport Holdings|location=London|access-date=23 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324105350/https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/trains|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Bus and coach==== Many bus and coach services operate from Heathrow Central bus station, which serves Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Services also operate from the bus stations located at Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.

===Inter-terminal transport=== thumb|Terminal 5 airside transit system Terminals 2 and 3 are within walking distance of each other. Transfers from Terminals 2 and 3 to Terminals 4 and 5 are provided by Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express trains and the London Underground Piccadilly line.<ref>{{cite web|title=Travel between terminals|url=https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/getting-around-heathrow/travel-between-terminals|publisher=Heathrow Airport Holdings|location=London|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102159/https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/getting-around-heathrow/travel-between-terminals|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Direct transfer between Terminals 4 and 5 is provided for free by route H30, introduced by Diamond Buses on 1 December 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.diamondbuses.com/bus-services/se/se-h30/ |title=SE H30 |publisher=Diamond Bus |access-date=29 January 2025}}</ref>

Transit passengers remaining airside are provided with free dedicated transfer buses between terminals. These use dedicated airside tunnels (Heathrow Cargo Tunnel between Terminals 2/3 and 4, Heathrow Airside Road Tunnel between Terminals 2/3 and 5) to minimise disruption to aircraft operations.

The Heathrow Pod personal rapid transit system shuttles passengers between Terminal 5 and the business car park using 21 small, driverless transportation pods. The pods are battery-powered and run on-demand on a {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=in|adj=on}} track, each able to carry up to four adults, two children, and their luggage.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Heathrow to Debut Futuristic Travel Pods|publisher=PopSci.com.au|date=27 January 2009|url=http://www.popsci.com.au/scitech/article/2009-01/heathrow-debut-futuristic-travel-pods|access-date=27 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131090627/http://popsci.com.au/scitech/article/2009-01/heathrow-debut-futuristic-travel-pods|archive-date=31 January 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Plans exist to extend the Pod system to connect Terminals 2 and 3 to remote car parks.<ref>{{cite journal|title=My Pods|journal=Futureairports|page=61|url=http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/b0ecc6ab#/b0ecc6ab/1|access-date=8 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908133104/http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/b0ecc6ab#/b0ecc6ab/1|archive-date=8 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

An underground automated people mover system known as the ''Transit'' operates within Terminal 5, linking the main terminal with the satellite Terminals 5B and 5C. The Transit operates entirely airside using Bombardier Innovia APM 200 people mover vehicles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.innovia-london-uk.html|title=INNOVIA APM 200 – London Heathrow Airport, UK|location=Derby|publisher=Bombardier Transportation UK|access-date=4 June 2018|archive-date=3 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403151337/https://web.archive.org/web/20140331113703/https://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/projects/project.innovia-london-uk.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Heathrow Terminal 5 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/01/23/heathrow_terminal5_feature.shtml |website=BBC |access-date=23 October 2019 |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120113112/https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2008/01/23/heathrow_terminal5_feature.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Hotel access===

Some hotels are directly connected to the terminals and therefore are walkable without any transfers. Many more hotels are easily accessible using the local buses, which depart from all terminals.

The Hotel Hoppa bus network also connects all terminals to major hotels in the area.<ref>[https://www.hotelhoppa.co.uk/ Home] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421232252/https://www.hotelhoppa.co.uk/ |date=21 April 2018 }} Hotel Hoppa</ref>

===Taxi=== Taxis are available at all terminals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=By taxi or mini cab {{!}} Heathrow |url=https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/by-taxi-or-mini-cab |access-date=11 January 2024 |website=Heathrow Airport |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111203120/https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/by-taxi-or-mini-cab |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Car=== Heathrow is accessible via the nearby M4 motorway or A4 road (Terminals 2–3), the M25 motorway (Terminals 4 and 5), and the A30 road (Terminal 4). There are drop-off and pick-up areas at all terminals and short-<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking/heathrow-short-stay-parking|title=Heathrow Short Stay Parking|publisher=Heathrow Airport|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324101931/https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking/heathrow-short-stay-parking|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and long-stay<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking/heathrow-long-stay-parking|title=Heathrow Long Stay Parking|publisher=Heathrow Airport|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102202/https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking/heathrow-long-stay-parking|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> multi-storey car parks. All the Heathrow forecourts are drop-off only.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heathrow parking picking up and dropping off information|url=https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking|website=www.heathrow.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324102402/https://www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> There are further car parks, not run by Heathrow Airport Holdings, just outside the airport: the most recognisable is the National Car Parks facility, although there are many other options; these car parks are connected to the terminals by shuttle buses.

===Bicycle=== There are (mainly off-road) bicycle routes to some of the terminals.<ref>Transport for London free maps 'London Cycling Guide 6' covers Terminals 1, 2 & 3 while 'London Cycling Guide 9' covers Terminal 4 (as of the June 2007 revision).</ref> Free bicycle parking places are available in car parks 1 and 1A, at Terminal 4, and to the north and south of Terminal 5's Interchange Plaza. Cycling is not currently allowed through the main tunnel to access the central area and Terminals 2 and 3.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/Cycle_Motorcycle.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511181653/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/Cycle_Motorcycle.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Cycling and Motorcycling map|archivedate=11 May 2008}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents== * On 3 March 1948, a Sabena Douglas DC-3 (registration: OO-AWH) crashed in fog. Three crew members and 19 of the 22 passengers on board died.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-46-597343,00.html|work=The Times|location=London|title=On This Day The Times 3 March 1948|date=3 March 2003|access-date=23 March 2018|first=Fiona|last=Hamilton|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905163546/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-46-597343,00.html|archive-date=5 September 2008|url-status=dead}}{{subscription required}}</ref> * On 31 October 1950, a BEA Vickers Viking (registration: G-AHPN) crashed at Heathrow after hitting the runway during a go-around. Three crew members and 25 passengers died.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19501031-0|title=Aviation Safety Network G-AHPN|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111074118/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19501031-0|archive-date=11 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 16 January 1955, a BEA Vickers Viscount (registered as G-AMOK) crashed into barriers whilst taking off in the fog from a disused runway strip parallel to the desired runway. There were two injuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mid.gov.kz/images/stories/contents/050_en.pdf|title=ICAO Aircraft Accident Digest No 7, Page 46|publisher=ICAO|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703162914/http://mid.gov.kz/images/stories/contents/050_en.pdf|archive-date=3 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> * On 22 June 1955, a BOAC de Havilland Dove (registration: G-ALTM) crashed just short of the runway during a filming flight when the pilot shut down the incorrect engine. There were no casualties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1956/1956%20-%200059.html|title=Flight 13 January 1956, Civil Aviation|work=Flightglobal|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219051936/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1956/1956%20-%200059.html|archive-date=19 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 1 October 1956, XA897, an Avro Vulcan strategic bomber of the Royal Air Force, crashed at Heathrow after an approach in bad weather. The Vulcan was the first to be delivered to the RAF and was returning from a demonstration flight to Australia and New Zealand. The pilot and co-pilot ejected and survived, but the four other occupants were killed.<ref>Blackman, Tony (2007). ''Vulcan Test Pilot: My Experiences in the Cockpit of a Cold War Icon.'' London: Grub Street. {{ISBN|978-1-904943-88-4}}. p. 142.</ref> * On 7 January 1960, a Vickers Viscount (registration: G-AOHU) of BEA was damaged beyond economic repair when the nose wheel collapsed on landing. A fire then developed and burnt out the fuselage. There were no casualties among the 59 people on board.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19600107-0|title=Accident description|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806030508/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19600107-0|archive-date=6 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 27 October 1965, a BEA Vickers Vanguard (registration: G-APEE), flying from Edinburgh, crashed on Runway 28R while attempting to land in poor visibility. All 30 passengers and six crew on board died.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19651027-0&lang=en|title=ASN Aircraft accident description Vickers 951 Vanguard G-APEE – London–Heathrow Airport (LHR)|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111074122/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19651027-0&lang=en|archive-date=11 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/night_the_sky_turned_to_flames_1_967404|title=Night the sky turned to flames|work=The Scotsman|location=Edinburgh|date=1 December 2005|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143225/http://www.scotsman.com/news/night_the_sky_turned_to_flames_1_967404|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 8 April 1968, BOAC Flight 712 Boeing 707 (registration: G-ARWE), departing for Australia via Singapore, suffered an engine fire just after take-off. The engine fell from the wing into a nearby gravel pit in Staines, before the plane managed to perform an emergency landing with the wing on fire. However, the plane was consumed by fire once on the ground. Five people – four passengers and a flight attendant – died, while 122 survived. A flight attendant, Barbara Harrison, who helped with the evacuation, was posthumously awarded the George Cross.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stephen-stratford.com/women_gcs.htm|title=Women awarded the George Cross|publisher=Stephen-stratford.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619205858/http://www.stephen-stratford.com/women_gcs.htm|archive-date=19 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> * On 3 July 1968, the port flap operating rod of G-AMAD, an Airspeed Ambassador operated by BKS Air Transport, failed due to fatigue, thereby allowing the port flaps to retract. This resulted in a rolling movement to the port, which could not be controlled during the approach, causing the aircraft to contact the grass and swerve towards the terminal building. It hit two parked British European Airways Hawker Siddeley Trident aircraft, burst into flames, and came to rest against the ground floor of the terminal building. Six of the eight crew died, as did eight horses on board. Trident G-ARPT was written off,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680703-0|title=Aviation Safety Network G-AMAD|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323112357/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680703-0|archive-date=23 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and Trident G-ARPI was badly damaged, but subsequently repaired, only to be lost in the Staines crash in 1972. * On 18 June 1972, Trident G-ARPI, operating as BEA548, crashed in a field close to the Crooked Billet Public House, Staines, two minutes after taking off. All 118 passengers and crew on board died.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/18/newsid_2515000/2515787.stm|title=1972: UK's worst air crash kills 118|work=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2018|date=18 June 1972|archive-date=7 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307113508/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/18/newsid_2515000/2515787.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 5 November 1997, the pilots of Virgin Atlantic Flight 024, Airbus A340-311 (registration: G-VSKY), performed an intentional belly landing on runway 27L after the left main landing gear jammed in a partially lowered position. Two crew members and five passengers suffered minor injuries in the emergency evacuation. Investigators found that a brake torque pin had fallen out of the landing gear on takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) because the pin and its retaining assembly were subject to higher than predicted loads while in service; the precise mode of failure could not be verified because only the pin, and not its retaining hardware, was found at LAX. The aircraft sustained substantial damage but was repaired and placed back in service.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 June 2000 |title=Report on the accident to Airbus A340-311, G-VSKY, at London Heathrow Airport on 5 November 1997 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422ed0ce5274a1317000165/4-2000_G-VSKY.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205000040/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422ed0ce5274a1317000165/4-2000_G-VSKY.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2017 |access-date= |series= |publisher=Air Accidents Investigation Branch |type=Official accident report}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/324108 |title=Accident Airbus A340-311 G-VSKY |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref> * On 17 January 2008, a British Airways Boeing 777-236ER, (registration: G-YMMM), operating flight BA038 from Beijing, crash-landed short of runway 27L and stopped on the threshold, leading to 18 minor injuries. The impact tore off the right landing gear and pushed the left landing gear through the wing root; the aircraft was subsequently written off. The accident was attributed to a loss of thrust caused by fuel icing.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7598267.stm|title='Ice in fuel' caused BA jet crash|author=Symonds, Tom|date=4 September 2008|work=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402213224/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7598267.stm|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/321801 |title=Accident Airbus Boeing 777-236ER G-YMMM |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=25 June 2024 |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625192207/https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/321801 |url-status=live }}</ref> * On 28 September 2022, a Korean Air Boeing 777 preparing to take off collided with an Icelandair Boeing 757 which had just landed. The 777 crew aborted the takeoff; no injuries were reported, but the aircraft suffered minor damage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/two-aircraft-in-minor-collision-at-heathrow-12707218|title=Two aircraft in minor collision on ground at Heathrow|date=28 September 2022|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|work=Sky News|location=London|archive-date=29 September 2022|access-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929080448/https://news.sky.com/story/two-aircraft-in-minor-collision-at-heathrow-12707218|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 6 April 2024, the wing of an empty Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 under tow at Terminal 3 clipped a parked British Airways plane preparing to depart from an adjacent gate with 121 passengers on board. The passengers transferred to a different British Airways aircraft and departed several hours later. Heathrow said there were no injuries, but both aircraft sustained damage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68749072|title=Heathrow Airport: Two planes collide|work=BBC News|date=6 April 2024|access-date=6 April 2024}}</ref> * On 21 March 2025, Heathrow Airport was closed due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The fire caused a power outage at the airport, leading to the decision to close all terminals until midnight on that day.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Topham |first1=Gwyn |last2=Grierson |first2=Jamie |last3=Visontay |first3=Elias |last4=Lamb |first4=Kate |last5=Visontay |first5=Gwyn Topham Jamie Grierson Elias |date=21 March 2025 |title=Travel chaos as Heathrow airport closes after blaze at electrical substation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/21/heathrow-airport-closed-after-fire-at-electrical-substation-in-west-london |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> More than 1,000 flights were cancelled.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Harry |date=23 March 2025 |title=Service at Heathrow airport returns to normal two days after forced closure |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/23/service-at-heathrow-airport-returns-to-normal-two-days-after-forced-closure |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The owner of British Airways (International Airlines Group) estimated that the outage cost them £40 million.

==Terrorism and security incidents== * On 8 June 1968, James Earl Ray, the suspect in the 4 April 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., was captured, arrested, and extradited back to the United States at Heathrow Airport while attempting to leave the United Kingdom for Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) on a false Canadian passport.<ref>{{cite news|first=Clive|last=Borrell|title=Ramon Sneyd denies that he killed Dr King|url=http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1968-06-28-0-006&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1968-06-28-02|work=The Times|location=London|page=2|date=28 June 1968|access-date=13 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713081131/http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1968-06-28-02-006&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1968-06-28-02|archive-date=13 July 2009|url-status=dead}}{{subscription required}}</ref> * On 6 September 1970, El Al Flight 219 experienced an attempted hijack by two PFLP members. One hijacker was killed, and the other was subdued as the plane made an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport. * On 19 May 1974, the IRA planted a series of bombs in the Terminal 1 car park. Two people were injured by the explosions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milesfaster.co.uk/information/heathrow-airport/heathrow-history.htm|title=Heathrow Airport History|publisher=Milesfaster.co.uk|access-date=31 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518004154/http://www.milesfaster.co.uk/information/heathrow-airport/heathrow-history.htm|archive-date=18 May 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 26 November 1983, the Brink's-Mat robbery occurred, in which 6,800 gold bars worth nearly £26{{nbsp}}million were taken from a vault near Heathrow. Only a small amount of the gold was recovered, and only two men were convicted of the crime.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brinks Mat gold|date=15 April 2000|work=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2018|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/714289.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817153656/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/714289.stm|archive-date=17 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 17 April 1986, semtex explosives were found in the bag of a pregnant Irish woman attempting to board an El Al flight. The explosives had been given to her by her Jordanian boyfriend and the father of her unborn child Nizar Hindawi. The incident became known as the Hindawi Affair.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2581277.stm|title=Assad engages politics of politeness|date=16 December 2002|work=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2018|first=Paul|last=Reynolds|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040613114202/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2581277.stm|archive-date=13 June 2004|url-status=live}}</ref> *On 21 December 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded mid-air over the town of Lockerbie, killing all 259 onboard and eleven people on the ground. The flight originated from Frankfurt as a feeder flight with a change of aircraft at Heathrow and was on its transatlantic leg to New York's JFK airport at the time of the incident. An unaccompanied suitcase containing a boombox radio/cassette player, which housed the explosive, was checked in at Malta and forwarded as interline baggage for this flight at Frankfurt, wherein it made its way to the transatlantic leg. * In 1994, over six days, Heathrow was targeted three times (8, 10, and 13 March) by the IRA, which fired 12 mortars. Heathrow was a symbolic target due to its importance to the UK economy, and much disruption was caused when areas of the airport were closed over the period. The gravity of the incident was heightened because the Queen was being flown back to Heathrow by the RAF on 10 March.<ref>{{cite book|title=Silent Swift Superb: The Story of the Vickers VC10|last=Henderson|first=Scott|year=1998|publisher=Scoval|location=Newcastle-upon-Tyne|isbn=978-1-901125-02-3|page=130}}</ref> * In March 2002, thieves stole US$3{{nbsp}}million that had arrived on a South African Airways flight. Just a few weeks earlier, a similar amount of money was stolen from a British Airways flight that arrived from Bahrain.<ref>{{cite news|title=$3m heist at Heathrow|work=BBC News|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1880953.stm|date=19 March 2002|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808005230/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1880953.stm|archive-date=8 August 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> * In February 2003, the British Army was deployed to Heathrow along with 1,000 police officers in response to intelligence reports suggesting that al-Qaeda terrorists might launch surface-to-air missile attacks at British or American airliners.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bamber |first1=David |last2=Craig |first2=Olga |last3=Elliott |first3=Francis |date=16 February 2003 |title=Blair sent in tanks after 'chilling' threat |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1422243/Blair-sent-in-tanks-after-chilling-threat.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=The Telegraph |archive-date=7 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507183200/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1422243/Blair-sent-in-tanks-after-chilling-threat.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * On 17 May 2004, Scotland Yard's Flying Squad foiled an attempt by seven men to steal £40{{nbsp}}million in gold bullion and a similar quantity of cash from the Swissport warehouse at Heathrow.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3723839.stm|title=Flying Squad foils £80m robbery|date=18 May 2004|work=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710013336/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3723839.stm|archive-date=10 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> * On 25 February 2008, Greenpeace activists protesting against the planned construction of a third runway managed to cross the ramp and climb atop a British Airways Airbus A320, which had just arrived from Manchester Airport. At about 09:45 GMT, the protesters unveiled a "Climate Emergency – No Third Runway" banner over the aircraft's tailfin. By 11:00 GMT, four arrests had been made.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7262614.stm|title=Climate protest on Heathrow plane|date=25 February 2008|work=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229004619/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7262614.stm|archive-date=29 February 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> * In October 2010, an Angolan national was being deported on a British Airways plane. Security guards were heavy-handed with him, and they put him in a dangerous position, leading to asphyxia. He did not survive.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 December 2014 |title=G4S guards cleared of using 'carpet karaoke' technique to kill deportee on British Airways flight |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11296844/G4S-guards-cleared-of-killing-deportee-on-British-Airways-flight-using-carpet-karaoke-technique.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 May 2023 |website=The Telegraph |archive-date=20 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120223214/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11296844/G4S-guards-cleared-of-killing-deportee-on-British-Airways-flight-using-carpet-karaoke-technique.html |url-status=live }}</ref> * On 13 July 2015, thirteen activists belonging to the climate change protest group Plane Stupid managed to break through the perimeter fence and get onto the northern runway. They chained themselves together in protest, disrupting hundreds of flights. All were eventually arrested.<ref>{{cite news|title=London Heathrow cancels flights due to protests over third runway|first=Alan|last=Dron|publisher=Air Transport World|date=13 July 2015|url=http://atwonline.com/eco-aviation/london-heathrow-cancels-flights-due-protests-over-third-runway|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715021411/http://atwonline.com/eco-aviation/london-heathrow-cancels-flights-due-protests-over-third-runway|archive-date=15 July 2015|url-status=dead}}{{nbsp}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33503167|title=Heathrow Airport climate change protest delays flights|date=13 July 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117030638/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33503167|archive-date=17 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> *In June 2022, many protesters gathered at Heathrow and Gatwick airports to protest the UK-Rwanda deal. A flight which was supposed to carry asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda was cancelled.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/15/day-of-drama-and-despair-before-rwanda-flight-called-off | title=Day of drama and despair before Rwanda flight called off |last1=Taylor|first1=Diane|last2=Syal|first2=Rajeev|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London | date=15 June 2022 }}</ref> *In December 2022, a piece of uranium metal discovered in the airport triggered a counter-terrorism investigation. It was found in a scrap metal package originally from Pakistan that arrived via a passenger flight from Oman on 29 December. It was bound for an Iranian business with premises in the UK.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/11/heathrow-uranium-seizure-raises-questions-over-what-it-was-for | title=Uranium was embedded in metal bars seized at Heathrow|last1=Sabbagh|first1=Dan|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London | date=11 January 2023 }}</ref>

===Other incidents=== * On 18 December 2010, snowfall ({{convert|9|cm|in|disp=or|abbr=in}}, according to the Heathrow Winter Resilience Enquiry)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baa.com/assets/Internet/BAA%20Airports/Downloads/Static%20files/BeggReport220311_BAA.pdf|title=Heathrow Winter Resilience Enquiry|access-date=5 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118191647/http://www.baa.com/assets/Internet/BAA%20Airports/Downloads/Static%20files/BeggReport220311_BAA.pdf|archive-date=18 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> caused the closure of the entire airport, causing one of the largest incidents at Heathrow of all time. Some 4,000 flights were cancelled over five days and 9,500 passengers spent the night at Heathrow on 18 December following the initial snowfall.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12071442|title=BAA launches inquiry into Heathrow Airport snow chaos|work=BBC News|date=23 December 2010|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926000144/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12071442|archive-date=26 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The problems were caused not only by snow on the runways but also by snow and ice on the 198 parking stands which were all occupied by aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icax.co.uk/Deicing_Runways.html|title=De-icing Aircraft Parking Stands|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317130900/http://www.icax.co.uk/Deicing_Runways.html|archive-date=17 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> *On 12 July 2013, the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) on an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner parked at Heathrow airport caught fire due to a short circuit.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-airport-boeing-idUSL6N0FI3B120130712|title=Plane on fire at Heathrow airport was Boeing Dreamliner-TV|work=Reuters|date=12 July 2013|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924182854/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/12/britain-airport-boeing-idUSL6N0FI3B120130712|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> There were no passengers aboard and no injuries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23294760|title=Heathrow shut after Boeing Dreamliner 787 fire|work=BBC News|date=12 July 2013|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116093847/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23294760|archive-date=16 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/55d43f8d40f0b6091a000001/AAIB_2-2015_ET-AOP.pdf |title=Aircraft Accident Report 2/2015: Report on the serious incident to Boeing B787-8, ET-AOP London Heathrow Airport 12 July 2013 |date=19 August 2015 |publisher=AAIB |access-date=7 May 2023 }}</ref> * From 12 September 2019, the climate change campaign group, Heathrow Pause, attempted to disrupt flights into and out of Heathrow Airport in London by flying drones in the airport's exclusion zone. The action was unsuccessful in disrupting the flights and nineteen people were arrested.<ref>{{cite news |author= |title=Extinction Rebellion co-founder arrested at Heathrow protest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/14/extinction-rebellion-co-founder-arrested-at-heathrow-protest |work=The Guardian |date=14 September 2019 |access-date=14 September 2019 |quote=Despite the minimal disruption, Heathrow Pause said it is happy about the "conversation" triggered by its action. |archive-date=15 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915224758/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/14/extinction-rebellion-co-founder-arrested-at-heathrow-protest |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Future expansion and plans==

===Third runway and terminal expansion=== {{Main|Expansion of Heathrow Airport}}

thumb|Heathrow airport roads and terminals expansion layout There is a long history of expansion proposals for Heathrow since it was first designated as a civil airport. Following the cancellation of the Maplin project in 1974, a fourth terminal was proposed, but expansion beyond this was ruled out. However, the Airports Inquiries of 1981–83 and the 1985 Airports Policy White Paper considered further expansion and, following a four-year-long public inquiry in 1995–99, Terminal 5 was approved. In 2003, after many studies and consultations, the Future of Air Transport White Paper was published, which proposed a third runway at Heathrow, as well as a second runway at Stansted Airport.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Inside London's Airports Policy: Indecision, decision and counter-decision|last=Le Blond|first=Paul|publisher=ICE Publishing|year=2018|isbn=9780727763655|location=London}}</ref> In January 2009, the Transport Secretary at the time, Geoff Hoon announced that the British government supported the expansion of Heathrow by building a third {{Convert|2200|m|adj=on}} runway and a sixth terminal building.<ref>{{cite book |year=2009 |title=Britain's Transport Infrastructure: Adding Capacity at Heathrow: Decisions Following Consultation |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/heathrowconsultations/heathrowdecision/decisiondocument/decisiondoc.pdf |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100513163203/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/heathrowconsultations/heathrowdecision/decisiondocument/decisiondoc.pdf |archive-date=13 May 2010 |access-date=16 January 2009 |publisher=Department of Transport |isbn=978-1-906581-79-4}}</ref> This decision followed the 2003 white paper on the future of air transport in the UK,<ref>{{cite web |date=1 December 2003 |title=The Future of Air Transport |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/685595/6046.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070503030214/http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/whitepapers/air/thefutureofairtransportwhite5694 |archive-date=3 May 2007 |access-date=21 May 2007 |website=Department for Transport}}</ref> and a public consultation in November 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Industry backs third Heathrow runway as consultation opens|work=Flight International|date=22 November 2007|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/22/219826/industry-backs-third-heathrow-runway-as-consultation-opens.html|access-date=8 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226034428/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/22/219826/industry-backs-third-heathrow-runway-as-consultation-opens.html|archive-date=26 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> This was a controversial decision which met with widespread opposition because of the expected greenhouse gas emissions, impact on local communities, as well as noise and air pollution concerns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/maplin-the-treasury-and-londons-third-airport-in-the-1970s|title=Maplin: the Treasury and London's third airport in the 1970s|last=Needham|first=Duncan|date=27 October 2014|website=History & Policy|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226134247/http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/maplin-the-treasury-and-londons-third-airport-in-the-1970s|archive-date=26 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before the 2010 general election, the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties announced that they would prevent the construction of any third runway or further material expansion of the airport's operating capacity. The Mayor of London, then Boris Johnson, took the position that London needs more airport capacity, favouring the construction of an entirely new airport in the Thames Estuary rather than expanding Heathrow.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7722261.stm|title=Heathrow's new runway|work=BBC News|date=15 January 2009|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216051349/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7722261.stm|archive-date=16 February 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> After the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition took power, it was announced that the third runway expansion was cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8678282.stm|title=Heathrow third runway plans scrapped by new government|work=BBC News|date=12 May 2010|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304022501/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8678282.stm|archive-date=4 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Two years later, leading Conservatives were reported to have changed their minds on the subject.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Tories admit: we got it wrong on third runway|work=The Observer|location=London|date=24 March 2012|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/mar/24/tories-third-runway-heathrow|author1=Helm, Toby|author2=Doward, Jamie|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120819/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/mar/24/tories-third-runway-heathrow|archive-date=23 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another proposal for expanding Heathrow's capacity was the Heathrow Hub, which aims to extend both runways to a total length of about 7,000 metres and divide them into four so that they each provide two, full-length runways, allowing simultaneous take-offs and landings while decreasing noise levels.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ig-legacy.ft.com/content/f0a05b64-8987-11e2-ad3f-00144feabdc0|title=Pilot plots longer Heathrow runways|last1=Parker|first1=Andrew|last2=Jacobs|first2=Rose|work=Financial Times|location=London|date=10 March 2013|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324162251/http://ig-legacy.ft.com/content/f0a05b64-8987-11e2-ad3f-00144feabdc0|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |year=2013 |title=Double Upon Heathrow |url=http://www.cps.org.uk/files/reports/original/130705094049-DoubleuponHeathrow.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526204815/http://www.cps.org.uk/files/reports/original/130705094049-DoubleuponHeathrow.pdf |archive-date=26 May 2016 |access-date=23 March 2018 |publisher=CPS |isbn=978-1-906996-77-2}}</ref>

In July 2013, the airport submitted three new proposals for expansion to the Airports Commission, which was established to review airport capacity in the southeast of England. The Airports Commission was chaired by Sir Howard Davies. He, at the time of his appointment, was in the employ of GIC Private Limited (formerly known as Government Investment Corporation of Singapore) and a member of its International Advisory Board. GIC Private Limited was then (2012), as it remains today, one of Heathrow's principal owners. Sir Howard Davies resigned from these positions upon confirmation of his appointment to lead the Airports Commission, although it has been observed that he failed to identify these interests when invited to complete the Airports Commission's register of interests. Each of the three proposals that were to be considered by Sir Howard Davies's commission involved the construction of a third runway, either to the north, northwest, or southwest of the airport.<ref>{{cite news|date=17 July 2013|title=Heathrow submits third runway options to Davies Commission|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23337754|work=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309112818/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23337754|archive-date=9 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The commission released its interim report in December 2013, shortlisting three options: the north-west third runway option at Heathrow, extending an existing runway at Heathrow, and a second runway at Gatwick Airport. After this report was published, the government confirmed that no options had been ruled out for airport expansion in the South-east and that a new runway would not be built at Heathrow before 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Airports Commission reveals expansion shortlist|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25402007|access-date=23 March 2018|work=BBC News|date=17 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317114851/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25402007|archive-date=17 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The full report was published on 1 July 2015, and backed a third, north-west, runway at Heathrow.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 July 2015|title=Airports Commission releases final report|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/airports-commission-releases-final-report|work=gov.uk|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202131252/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/airports-commission-releases-final-report|archive-date=2 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Reaction to the report was generally adverse, particularly from London Mayor Boris Johnson. One senior Conservative told Channel 4: "Howard Davies has dumped an utter steaming pile of poo on the Prime Minister's desk."<ref>{{cite news|date=1 July 2015|access-date=23 March 2018|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/heathrow-expansion-this-final-conclusion-has-simply-fanned-the-airport-flames-10358766.html|first=Chris|last=Blackhurst|location=London|title=Heathrow expansion: This final 'conclusion' has simply fanned the airport flames|work=The Independent|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626002947/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/heathrow-expansion-this-final-conclusion-has-simply-fanned-the-airport-flames-10358766.html|archive-date=26 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 October 2016, the government confirmed that Heathrow would be allowed to build a third runway; however, a final decision would not be taken until winter of 2017/18, after consultations and government votes. The earliest opening year would be 2025.

On 5 June 2018, the UK Cabinet approved the third runway, with a full vote planned for Parliament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Heathrow Airport: Cabinet approves new runway plan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44357580 |date=5 June 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710095617/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-44357580 |archive-date=10 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 25 June 2018, the House of Commons voted, 415–119, in favour of the third runway. The bill received support from most MPs in the Conservative and Labour parties.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2018/jun/25/heathrow-boris-johnson-should-honour-his-promise-to-oppose-heathrow-expansion-and-resign-says-senior-tory-politics-live |title=House of Commons backs third runway for Heathrow airport – as it happened {{pipe}} Politics |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 June 2018 |access-date=16 October 2018 |last1=Sparrow |first1=Andrew |last2=Rawlinson |first2=Kevin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017053210/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2018/jun/25/heathrow-boris-johnson-should-honour-his-promise-to-oppose-heathrow-expansion-and-resign-says-senior-tory-politics-live |archive-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> A judicial review against the decision was launched by four London local authorities affected by the expansion—Wandsworth, Richmond, Hillingdon and Hammersmith and Fulham—in partnership with Greenpeace and London mayor Sadiq Khan.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 June 2018 |title=Heathrow expansion plans approved for take-off after Commons vote |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2018/06/26/heathrow-expansion-plans-approved-for-take-off-after-commons-vote/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030501/https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2018/06/26/heathrow-expansion-plans-approved-for-take-off-after-commons-vote/ |archive-date=26 June 2018 |access-date=26 June 2018 |website=Shropshire Star}}</ref> Khan previously stated he would take legal action if it were passed by Parliament.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-44561789 |title=Heathrow third runway: Sadiq Khan backs legal challenge |date=21 June 2018 |access-date=16 October 2018 |newspaper=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101050010/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-london-44561789 |archive-date=1 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled that the plans for a third runway were illegal since they did not adequately take into account the government's commitments to the Paris climate agreement.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carrington |first=Damian |date=27 February 2020 |title=Heathrow third runway ruled illegal over climate change |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/27/heathrow-third-runway-ruled-illegal-over-climate-change |work=The Guardian |access-date=20 April 2021}}</ref> However, this ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court in December 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carrington |first=Damian |date=16 December 2020 |title=Top UK court overturns block on Heathrow's third runway |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/top-uk-court-overturns-block-on-heathrows-third-runway |work=The Guardian |access-date=20 April 2021}}</ref> The plan stalled after a fall in passenger numbers during the COVID pandemic and concerns about investment costs,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/feb/02/heathrow-airport-boss-john-holland-kaye-quits-turbulent-year |title=Heathrow airport boss quits after turbulent year |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 February 2023 }}</ref> but came back into the spotlight after the Labour Party won the 2024 UK general election. The airport's CEO indicated in November 2024 that he would seek a "final" decision from the government by the end of 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Jenni |title=Heathrow boss says 2025 to bring final decision on controversial third runway |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/26/heathrow-third-runway-ceo-expects-final-decision-by-end-of-2025.html |work=CNBC |date=26 November 2024 }}</ref>

===New transport proposals=== {{main|Heathrow Airport transport proposals}}

[[File:Western Rail Approach to Heathrow.png|thumb|One of the transport projects being considered is the Western Rail Approach to Heathrow.]]

Currently, all rail connections with Heathrow Airport run along an east–west alignment to and from central London, and a number of schemes have been proposed over the years to develop new rail transport links with other parts of London and with stations outside the city.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Coogan |first1=Matthew A. |title=Improving Public Transportation Access to Large Airports |date=2000 |publisher=Leigh Fisher Associates, Transportation Research Board, Transit Cooperative Research Program |isbn=9780309066594 |page=66 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E3a7n--Se9wC&q=heathrow%20airport%20transport%20links%20central%20london&pg=PA66 |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912131434/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=E3a7n--Se9wC&lpg=PA66&dq=heathrow%20airport%20transport%20links%20central%20london&pg=PA66 |archive-date=12 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> This mainline rail service has been extended with the opening of the Elizabeth Line.

A 2009 proposal to create a southern link with {{rws|London Waterloo}} via the Waterloo–Reading line was abandoned in 2011 due to lack of funding and difficulties with a high number of level crossings on the route into London,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13042740|title=Heathrow Airtrack Waterloo rail link shelved by BAA|work=BBC News London|date=11 April 2011|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030124455/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13042740|archive-date=30 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rail.co/2011/04/11/heathrow-no-option-but-to-withdraw-proposed-airtrack-link-to-staines/|title=Heathrow: 'No option but to withdraw proposed Airtrack link to Staines'|last=Samuel|first=A.|work=Rail News from Rail.co|date=11 April 2011|access-date=11 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118181237/http://www.rail.co/2011/04/11/heathrow-no-option-but-to-withdraw-proposed-airtrack-link-to-staines/|archive-date=18 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a plan to link Heathrow to the planned High Speed 2 (HS2) railway line (with a new station, {{rws|Heathrow Hub}}) was also dropped from the HS2 plans in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5439472.ece|work=The Times|location=London|title=Heathrow train plan to allay environmental fears|first1=Isabel|last1=Oakeshott|first2=Chris|last2=Gourlay|date=4 January 2009|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927122107/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5439472.ece|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/hs2-high-speed-rail|title=High Speed Rail: Investing in Britain's Future|publisher=Department for Transport|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324230842/https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/hs2-high-speed-rail|archive-date=24 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31814933|title=HS2: Heathrow spur plans dropped by transport minister|newspaper=BBC News|date=10 March 2015|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007212458/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-31814933|archive-date=7 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Among other schemes that have been considered is a rapid transport link between Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, known as ''Heathwick'', which would allow the airports to operate jointly as an airline hub;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15227879|work=BBC News|title=Heathrow and Gatwick airports: Ministers mull rail link|date=8 October 2011|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007205251/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15227879|archive-date=7 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Commons|first1=The Committee Office, House of|title=House of Commons – Transport Committee: Written evidence from Interlinking Transit Solutions Ltd (AS 115)|url=https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmtran/78/78vw_d15.htm|website=www.publications.parliament.uk|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155219/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmtran/78/78vw_d15.htm|archive-date=1 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, the Department for Transport began to invite proposals for privately funded rail links to Heathrow Airport.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=DfT tests appetite for £2.3bn Heathrow rail links {{!}} Construction Enquirer |url=http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/08/dft-tests-appetite-for-2-3bn-heathrow-rail-links/ |access-date=12 September 2018 |work=constructionenquirer.com |agency=Construction Enquirer |date=8 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912113402/http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/05/08/dft-tests-appetite-for-2-3bn-heathrow-rail-links/ |archive-date=12 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Projects being considered under this initiative include: * the Western Rail Approach to Heathrow, a proposal for a spur from the Great Western Main Line to link Heathrow to {{rws|Reading}}, {{rws|Slough}}, the South West, South Wales and the West Midlands.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=MCINTYRE |first1=FIONA |title=Private partner wanted for £900M Heathrow rail link |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/private-partner-wanted-for-900m-heathrow-rail-link/10030804.article |access-date=12 September 2018 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912113541/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/private-partner-wanted-for-900m-heathrow-rail-link/10030804.article |archive-date=12 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> * Heathrow Southern Railway, a similar scheme to the abandoned Airtrack proposal, which would connect Terminal 5 station with {{rws|Chertsey}} or {{rws|Virginia Water}}, {{rws|Staines}}, {{rws|London Waterloo}}, Guildford and {{rws|Clapham Junction}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proposed Route – Heathrow Southern Railway |url=https://heathrowrail.com/proposed-route/ |website=Heathrow Southern Railway |access-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822151427/https://heathrowrail.com/proposed-route/ |archive-date=22 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References== ===Notes=== {{notelist}}

===Citations=== {{reflist}}

===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} * Cotton, Jonathan; Mills, John & Clegg, Gillian. (1986) ''Archaeology in West Middlesex''. Uxbridge: London Borough of Hillingdon {{ISBN|0-907869-07-6}} * Gallop, Alan. (2005) ''Time Flies: Heathrow at 60''. Stroud: Sutton Publishing {{ISBN|0-7509-3840-4}} * Helpenny, Bruce B. (1992) ''Action Stations Vol.8: Military Airfields of Greater London''. {{ISBN|1-85260-431-X}} * Le Blond, Paul. (2018) ''Inside London's Airports Policy: Indecision, decision and counter-decision,'' ICE Publishing, {{ISBN|9780727763655}} * Sherwood, Philip. (1990) ''The History of Heathrow''. Uxbridge: London Borough of Hillingdon {{ISBN|0-907869-27-0}} * Sherwood, Philip (editor). (1993) ''The Villages of Harmondsworth''. West Middlesex Family History Society, {{ISBN|0 9511476 2 5}} * Sherwood, Philip. (1999) ''Heathrow: 2000 Years of History''. Stroud: Sutton Publishing {{ISBN|0-7509-2132-3}} * Sherwood, Philip. (2006) ''Around Heathrow Past & Present''. Sutton Publishing {{ISBN|0-7509-4135-9}} ** (Contains many pairs of photographs, old (or in one case a painting), and new, each pair made from the same viewpoint.) * Sherwood, Philip. (2009) ''Heathrow: 2000 Years of History''. Stroud: The History Press {{ISBN|978-0750921329}} * Sherwood, Philip. (2012) ''Around Heathrow Through Time''. Amberley Publishing, {{ISBN|978-1-4456-0846-4}} * Sherwood, Tim. (1999) ''Coming into Land: A Short History of Hounslow, Hanworth and Heston Aerodromes'' 1911–1946. [http://www.hounslowlibraries.org/ Heritage Publications (Hounslow Library)] {{ISBN|1-899144-30-7}} * Smith, Graham. (2003) ''Taking to the Skies: the Story of British Aviation 1903–1939''. Countryside {{ISBN|1-85306-815-2}} * Smith, Ron. (2002) ''British Built Aircraft Vol.1''. Greater London: Tempus {{ISBN|0-7524-2770-9}} * Sturtivant, Ray. (1995) ''Fairey Aircraft: in Old Photographs''. Alan Sutton {{ISBN|0-7509-1135-2}} * Taylor, H.A. (1974) ''Fairey Aircraft since 1915''. Putnam {{ISBN|0-370-00065-X}}. * Taylor, John WR. (1997) ''Fairey Aviation: Archive Photographs''. Chalford {{ISBN|0-7524-0684-1}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikivoyage|Heathrow Airport}} * {{Official website}}

{{Heathrow Airport}} {{Airports in the United Kingdom}} {{London transport}} {{London landmarks}} {{Portal bar|United Kingdom|London|Aviation}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Heathrow Airport Category:Airports in the London region Category:Airports established in 1946 Category:Heathrow Airport Holdings Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Hillingdon Category:Public inquiries in the United Kingdom Category:Transport in the London Borough of Hillingdon Category:Tourist attractions in the London Borough of Hillingdon Category:1946 establishments in England Category:Airports in England

Heathrow Airport

Connections

Linked from (2,166 total)

Links to (508 total)