London Heathrow Airport - LHR
Welcome to our in-depth look at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)!
The home base of airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic!
LHR happens to be a very busy airport. According to a traffic summary, 5.7 million passengers traveled through Heathrow in February 2025, in 2024 alone it was titled the “Busiest Airport in Europe”
Located around 14 miles (23 km) west of Central London, Heathrow Airport is a major gateway for international travel, handling over 80 million passengers annually.
Nonetheless, London Heathrow Airport gives you an amazing travelling experience! Providing all the essential services needed to enhance your adventures, serving more than 230 destinations in nearly 90 countries. Let’s take a deeper dive into what’s waiting for us at London Heathrow Airport. Let’s fly!
LHR QUICK FAST FACTS
- CODE: LHR
- AIRPORT SIZE: 12.14 square kilometers (4.69 square miles or 3000 acres)
- NUMBER OF RUNWAYS: 2 Runways
- TERMINALS: 4 Terminals (size: approximately 590,000 m²) with 115 gates
- PASSENGER TRAFFIC: Approximately 84.1 million passengers between March 2024 and February 2025.
- FLIGHTS: In 2024 there were 1,300 landings and take-offs each day
Table Of Contents
London Heathrow Airport - LHR - Overview
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is a major international gateway to Europe and the rest of the world. The Heathrow Airport is a critical hub for global air travel. Its primary base is served by British Airways and is a key airport for Virgin Atlantic.
Heathrow’s major hub for aviation is situated about 14 miles west of London. LHR has handled over 79 million travelers by 2023. It originally opened as London Airport in 1946 and has expanded significantly since that time to become a world-class facility.
The airport features four active passenger terminals (Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5) and two parallel runways, accommodating flights to more than 200 destinations. Each terminal offers dining options, luxury shopping, lounges, and passenger services, ensuring a comfortable travel experience.
When ranked by passenger traffic, Heathrow is the eighth busiest airport internationally.
On November 29, 2024, Heathrow Airport announced the implementation of an AI-based system called Amy, to aid air controllers in LHR. Despite its heavy dependence on coordination efficiency, the system can track aircraft across wide airspace using the radar and video data it collects from the ground.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the largest and busiest airport in the UK in terms of passenger traffic. Even though Heathrow isn’t the biggest by land area, its strategic importance, passenger volume, and global connectivity make it the UK’s most significant airport.
Arriving at London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, welcoming millions of passengers each year. If you’re arriving at Heathrow, here’s everything you need to know about navigating immigration, baggage claim, customs, and transportation.
Heathrow Arrival Process
Disembarkation & Navigating the Terminal
Once your flight lands, follow the “Arrivals” signs to immigration and passport control. Heathrow is a large airport, so depending on your arrival terminal (2, 3, 4, or 5), it can take 15-40 minutes to reach the next checkpoint.
Immigration & Passport Control
At UK Border Control, all passengers must present their passport or national ID card.
Fast-track option: eGates are available for travelers from the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, and select other countries. These automated gates speed up the immigration process.
Families & non-eGate travelers: Queue at the staffed booths and ensure your documents are ready for inspection.
If you’re visiting the UK, make sure you have the correct visa or travel authorization before arrival.
Baggage Claim & Luggage Collection
Once past immigration, head to Baggage Reclaim and locate your flight number on the display screens to find the right carousel.
Luggage trolleys are available for free.
Lost baggage? Contact your airline’s lost luggage desk inside the baggage hall.
UK Customs & Declarations
After collecting your luggage, proceed to the UK Customs area, where you’ll choose between:
- Green Channel: No goods to declare.
- Red Channel: Items to declare (e.g., cash over £10,000, restricted goods).
Be aware of UK customs rules regarding food, alcohol, and electronic items to avoid fines.
Connecting Flights at Heathrow
If you’re catching a connecting flight, follow the “Flight Connections” signs. Some travelers will need to clear security again, while others can transfer luggage directly depending on airline agreements.
Transportation Options from Heathrow Airport
Once in the Arrivals Hall, you have several transport choices to reach Central London and beyond.
Fastest Option: Heathrow Express
The Heathrow Express is a 15-minute non-stop train to London Paddington. Trains depart every 15 minutes, and tickets start at £5.50 if booked in advance.
Cheapest Option: London Underground (Tube)
The Piccadilly Line connects Heathrow to Central London. Travel time is around 45-50 minutes, with a one-way fare starting at £5.60.
Taxis & Ride-Sharing Services
Black cabs offer fixed fares to London starting from £48-£90. Uber, Bolt, and Free Now are available at designated pickup points.
Buses & Coaches
National Express and Megabus offer long-distance routes. Local London buses provide budget-friendly travel.
Departing from London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling thousands of departing flights daily. Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, understanding the check-in, security, boarding, and transportation processes can make your journey smoother.
Check-In Process
Most airlines allow online check-in 24 to 48 hours before departure, letting passengers select seats and receive boarding passes digitally. Online check-in is recommended to save time at the airport.
For those checking in at the airport, self-service kiosks and staffed check-in counters are available. Some airlines require passengers to check in at the counter for international flights. Arriving at the airport with enough time before departure is crucial:
- Three hours for international flights
- Two hours for European flights
- 90 minutes for domestic UK flights
Baggage Drop & Allowances
If you have checked baggage, proceed to your airline’s baggage drop counter after check-in. Baggage allowances vary by airline and ticket type. Heathrow enforces weight and size restrictions on checked and carry-on bags, and exceeding the limits may cause extra fees
Security Screening
All passengers have to clear security before entering the departure area. Heathrow Airport follows strict security regulations, including:
- Liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less and placed in a resealable plastic bag.
- Laptops and large electronics must be removed from bags for separate screening.
- Coats, belts, and sometimes shoes may need to be removed.
Security wait times vary, but Heathrow has implemented efficiency measures, and most passengers clear security in under 30 minutes.
Departure Lounges & Facilities
After going through security, passengers have access to Heathrow’s extensive facilities. The airport offers shopping, dining, and relaxation areas across all terminals. Duty-free shopping is available, along with high-end retail stores, coffee shops, and sit-down restaurants.
Passengers seeking extra comfort can access lounges, some of which require a business class ticket or frequent flyer status, while others offer paid entry. Popular lounges include:
- Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5)
- British Airways Galleries Lounge (Terminal 5)
- No1 Lounge (Terminal 3)
Boarding and Gate Information
Departure gates are displayed on airport screens about 45-60 minutes before takeoff. Heathrow is a large airport, and certain gates require a train or a long walk, so passengers should proceed to their gates promptly.
Boarding typically begins 30-45 minutes before departure, with priority given to first-class, business-class, and special-assistance passengers.
Transportation to Heathrow
Passengers have several options for getting to Heathrow Airport:
- Heathrow Express: The fastest option from London Paddington, taking just 15 minutes.
- London Underground (Piccadilly Line): A cost-effective way to reach Heathrow in around 45-50 minutes.
- Taxis & Ride-Sharing: Black cabs, Uber, and Bolt are available. Fares to central London typically range from £48-£90.
- National Express & Local Buses: Suitable for long-distance travelers and those on a budget.
Customs & Immigration for International Departures
Passengers departing on international flights may need to clear additional security and customs checks. Ensure you have all required travel documents, including your passport, visa, or travel authorization, as some destinations require extra verification before boarding.
Tip!: Travelers carrying large sums of cash, expensive electronics, or other high-value items should check customs regulations to avoid potential issues.
More Quick Tips
Arrive early: 3 hours (international), 2 hours (European), 90 min (domestic)
Check flight status online before leaving
Use online check-in to save time
Know your terminal: T2, T3, T4, T5
Follow 100ml liquids rule for security
Heathrow Express: Fastest to London (15 min to Paddington)
Free WiFi available throughout the airport
Charging stations near seating areas
Fast-track security available for eligible passengers
Some gates require a 20-min walk—check screens often
Free water fountains for refilling bottles after security
Pre-order food to skip queues
Lounge access available for relaxation
Use eGates for faster passport control (if eligible)
Pre-book transport: Heathrow Express, taxis, London Underground (Piccadilly Line)
Wrap It Up!
London Heathrow Airport provides you with all the necessary amenities and services for a smooth and comfortable travel experience, exceeding all expectations and standards! Hopefully, this article gave you enough information and help to guide you around the airport
Catch more of the biggest airports on our site, safe travels!
FAQ
How many airports are there in Heathrow London?
London has 6 major airports in total. They are London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted and London Southend.
Is Heathrow Airport the biggest in the world?
No, Heathrow is not the biggest in the world however Heathrow is the biggest of all 6 airports in Heathrow London.
If you would like to read more about the biggest Airport in the world then – CLICK HERE
Does the London Underground go to Heathrow Airport?
Yes it does! London Heathrow Airport has 3 Underground stations. One station for terminals 2 and 3 and one station each for terminal 4 and terminal 5.
Which London Airport is furthest from London?
Southend London Airport is the furthest airport from London.
Which airport is the easiest to get to London?
London City Airport is the closest airport to London. It is also serviced by the underground rail system. So not only is it the easiest to get to London but it is also the quickest to get to from.
Is the Heathrow Underground free to travel on?
Trains, tube and the H30 busare free to travel on for airport passengers.