- How it all began
- Airport terminals
- Airport - London: how to get
- Conveniences for passengers
London's main airport is located on the western edge of the city, in the Hillingdon area. This is Heathrow Airport, which got its name in honor of the village of Heathrow, which, after the construction of the first runway here, was wiped out from the face of the Earth. Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe and has the third largest passenger traffic in the world after Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta and O'Hare in Chicago. Due to the large number of international flights that Heathrow serves, it was recognized as the largest in the world in terms of the number of passengers arriving from other countries.
A distinctive feature of the airport is that its runways are located in such a way that planes have to fly over the city. This is avoided when building airports. Heathrow is located in the lowlands, therefore it is often shrouded in fogs that interfere with the normal operation of the airport.
How it all began
The history of Heathrow International Airport begins during the First World War. Then the base of military aircraft was located here. A few decades later, the military airfield was transformed into a proving ground operated by Fairey Aviation. Passenger flights in those days departed from Croydon Airport. In 1943, Heathrow was again used by the military. The construction of the first runway took place in 1944. The land on which the first building was erected was privately owned at that time. Soon, the British Air Force abandoned the use of Heathrow, and the airport was converted into a center for servicing civil flights. The first plane with passengers left Heathrow for Buenos Aires in early 1946. Within a year, the airport had three runways. They were short, designed for the aircraft of the time.
The modern take-off strip for aircraft appeared at Heathrow in the 50s of the last century. The Queen of Great Britain took part in laying the first stone of this strip. Just two years after that, she opened the building of the current Terminal 2, which was the only one in those years. After the construction of the terminal, a flight observation tower was built at the airport.
By the late 1960s, Heathrow had three terminals. They were built very poorly, leaving no parking space. The fact is that flights by plane were very expensive, and only rich people could afford them, who were delivered from London to the airport either by their own car, driven by a chauffeur, or by helicopter. There was simply no need for a car park at that time.
In the 1960s, a cargo terminal was built at the airport. In the 1970s, the airport was rebuilt to serve the new air giants - Boeing 747. At the same time it became clear that planes are used not only by moneybags, but also by people with average incomes. To facilitate their access to Heathrow, one of the London Underground lines was continued. Now it was possible to get to the airport from central London within an hour. At the end of the 20th century, a railway track was laid to Heathrow, and now trains run here.
In the 80s and 90s of the last century, the airport was rebuilt and expanded. A separate terminal was specially built for British Airways, which was opened by Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
In 1987, there was a change in the status of the company that operated Heathrow Airport. First, it was made state-owned, and then sold to private individuals. After that, the airport began to actively modernize.
Heathrow airport scoreboard
Scoreboard at Heathrow Airport (London), flight statuses from the Yandex. Schedule service.
Airport terminals
International airport Heathrow has five terminals, one of which is currently closed.
Terminal 1 received its first passengers in 1968. Its grand opening took place in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II a year later. Initially, the terminal served only British Airways flights. The terminal was closed on June 29, 2015. At first they wanted to destroy it, but this did not happen. Terminal 1 is currently being rebuilt, making it an extension of Terminal 2, which was built in 2014. It is often referred to as the Queen's Terminal, as it was erected on the site of the old terminal, built in 1955, and the Queen's House, which housed the offices of airlines. The project of the new modern terminal was developed by the architect from Spain Luis Vidal. The building was fully completed in November 2013, but it took another 6 months to put it in order and test all systems. The terminal has a parking lot for more than a thousand cars, a center for providing the airport with electricity and a complex for cooling drinking water. For the convenience of passengers, there are about 50 shops and 17 cafes where you can have a snack before the flight.
Terminal 2 receives Star Alliance consolidation aircraft with the exception of Air India. Several other non-Star Alliance airlines use this terminal. In 2019, it is planned to close Terminal 3, so all passenger traffic will be redirected to Terminal 2, for which it is being rebuilt and expanded.
Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport was formerly known as the Ocean Terminal, as it served flights from Asia, North America and other distant corners of the world. In those days, you could get to central London from the airport by helicopter. The helicopter landing took place on the rooftop of Terminal 3. This structure was renamed in 1970 after the arrival hall was added to it. For the first time in the United Kingdom, moving walkways have been introduced here. Since 2006, this terminal has been able to receive and service Airbus 380 aircraft. In 2019, the building is going to be dismantled.
The fourth terminal appeared at Heathrow Airport in 1986. It is located near the cargo terminal and serves SkyTeam members. From the first, second and third terminals to Terminal 4, you can go through the freight tunnels. The terminal receives mainly flights from Asian countries and North African states.
Terminal 5 is located in the western sector of Heathrow Airport. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II herself on March 14, 2008. The first flight from this terminal took place on March 27 of the same year. The terminal mainly serves customers of British Airways and Iberia.
Airport - London: how to get
Heathrow is the most famous London airport. If you are flying to London from Russia or any European city (Paris, Barcelona, Milan, etc.), you will most likely land at Heathrow. Getting to the city center from this airport is very easy. You can use the following types of transport:
- the Heathrow Express train is not the cheapest, but the fastest way to travel to London. Trains start running at 5 am. The last train leaves the airport at 11:42 pm. At the airport, the train stops at two stations: near Terminal 5 and at Heathrow Central, which can be reached from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The final station in London is Paddington Railway Station. One way trip costs around £ 15. It makes sense to choose the Heathrow Express train as a means of transportation if the passenger is staying at a hotel in the vicinity of the station. In another case, you will have to go to your destination by metro, and this is an additional expense;
- underground. Traveling by this mode of transport to any corner of London will cost much less than taking the Heathrow Express train. True, the road will take about 50 minutes. In the morning and evening, when people get to their offices and home, it can be uncomfortable to travel on the subway with a suitcase. The line connecting Heathrow Airport to the city center is called Piccadilly;
- National Express bus. It is preferred for people traveling with large luggage. The bus goes to Victoria Station. Passengers spend about an hour on the way;
- Taxi. The most expensive way to travel. The fare to Central London will be around £ 50-70. To this amount should be added also a 10% tip for the chauffeur. Taxi ranks are located at all airport terminals.
Conveniences for passengers
You can use your free time before your flight by going to one of the local bars or restaurants. Shopping enthusiasts will love the numerous shops of various well-known brands. Information on their location can be obtained from the tourist centers of the terminals. Heathrow Airport management has taken care of numerous adherents of different religions. Prayer rooms have been built for them in each terminal. The airport staff consists of priests of different denominations, who can be consulted for advice or consolation. The chapel of St. George is located near the first flight control tower in the underground part of the airport. Divine services are held here daily. The chapel is divided among themselves by the Catholic, Anglican and Scottish churches.
If passengers are expected to fly with a long transfer in London, then it would be most logical to spend time between flights at the hotel. You can rent a room right at the airport. In the immediate vicinity of Heathrow there are 17 well-known hotel chains. Hotel rooms are equipped with noise-protected windows, so nothing will interfere with a restful sleep. You can also stay at the airport hotel if you have a night flight. The Heathrow Hotel Hoppa shuttle bus drives up to hotels that are not at the airport, but near it. It leaves every 15 minutes, so you don't have to worry about being late for the plane.
