London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
ICAO: EGLL
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London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Arrivals & Departures — check real-time flight status, delays, gate changes, and baggage claim information for all domestic and international flights at LHR.
Overview
London Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR, ICAO: EGLL) is the primary international airport serving London, the capital of the United Kingdom, and the busiest airport in Europe. Located about 23 km west of Central London in the London Borough of Hillingdon, LHR is the main hub for British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic (VS), and one of the world’s most significant international gateways.
Opened in 1946, Heathrow has grown to become the largest of the six international airports serving London. The airport operates four passenger terminals — Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, and Terminal 5 — connected by a free inter-terminal shuttle, the Heathrow Express train, and the London Underground’s Piccadilly line. Terminal 5, opened in 2008, is the main hub for British Airways (BA) and Iberia (IB).
Heathrow connects to over 180 destinations across 90 countries, served by more than 80 airlines. It is a key hub for transatlantic travel and a major gateway between Europe and the rest of the world. Popular long-haul routes include New York (JFK), Dubai (DXB), Singapore (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG), and Los Angeles (LAX), while key European destinations include Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), and Madrid (MAD).
In 2025, Heathrow welcomed more than 84.5 million passengers for the first time, making it Europe’s busiest airport. Air transport movements reached almost 478,000 flights, and the airport remains a key driver of the UK economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs across the region.
Popular Destinations from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
European routes include Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Madrid (MAD), Rome (FCO), Barcelona (BCN), and Dublin (DUB). Airlines serving these routes include British Airways (BA), Lufthansa (LH), Air France (AF), KLM (KL), Iberia (IB), ITA Airways (AZ), and Aer Lingus (EI).
Long-haul routes include Dubai (DXB), Singapore (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG), Tokyo (HND), Sydney (SYD), and Johannesburg (JNB). The airport connects over 180 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Oceania, operated by more than 80 airlines including Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Cathay Pacific (CX), Qantas (QF), and Turkish Airlines (TK).
Terminals
London Heathrow Airport operates four passenger terminals — Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4, and Terminal 5 — connected by a free inter-terminal shuttle, the Heathrow Express train, and the London Underground’s Piccadilly line.
Terminal 2, also known as “The Queen’s Terminal”, opened in 2014 and is primarily used by Star Alliance members, including Lufthansa (LH), United Airlines (UA), Air Canada (AC), and ANA (NH). It is located in the central area of the airport, connected to Terminals 3 and 4 by underground walkways and trains.
Terminal 3 hosts Virgin Atlantic (VS) and much of the oneworld alliance, including American Airlines (AA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Japan Airlines (JL), and Qantas (QF). It is directly connected to Terminal 2 by a 10-minute covered walkway.
Terminal 4 is primarily used by SkyTeam members, including Delta Air Lines (DL), KLM (KL), and Air France (AF), as well as several Middle Eastern and Asian carriers. It is located on the south side of the airport and requires the free Heathrow Express shuttle or Piccadilly line from Terminals 2 and 3.
Terminal 5 opened in 2008 and is the main hub for British Airways (BA) and Iberia (IB). It has three satellite buildings (5A, 5B, and 5C) and is one of the largest airport terminal buildings in the world. It is connected to Terminals 2 and 3 by the Heathrow Express.
A free inter-terminal shuttle bus connects all terminals every 10–15 minutes. The Heathrow Express train takes 5–10 minutes between terminals. Passengers should allow at least 30–45 minutes for transfers between distant terminals. The minimum connection time at LHR is 75 minutes for most transfers.
| Terminal | Purpose | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | Star Alliance & select international carriers | Lufthansa (LH), United Airlines (UA), Air Canada (AC), ANA (NH) |
| Terminal 3 | Virgin Atlantic & oneworld alliance | Virgin Atlantic (VS), American Airlines (AA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Japan Airlines (JL), Qantas (QF) |
| Terminal 4 | SkyTeam & select Middle East/Asian carriers | Delta Air Lines (DL), KLM (KL), Air France (AF), Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), Singapore Airlines (SQ) |
| Terminal 5 | British Airways exclusive hub | British Airways (BA), Iberia (IB) |
Transportation
Heathrow Airport is well connected to Central London and the surrounding region through several transport options. The airport is located about 23 km west of Central London in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Heathrow Express
The Heathrow Express is the fastest option, offering a non-stop service between Heathrow and London Paddington station. Trains run every 15 minutes from around 05:00 to 23:45. The journey takes just 15 minutes. Single fares start at £20 when booked in advance online. Contactless payment and Oyster cards are accepted.
Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth Line is a newer rail service that connects Heathrow with several stops in Central London and beyond. Trains run every 30 minutes and the journey to Central London takes about 45 minutes. This is the recommended option for passengers heading to areas like Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, or Liverpool Street.
London Underground (Piccadilly Line)
The Piccadilly Line connects Heathrow to Central London, with stops including Hammersmith, South Kensington, and King’s Cross St Pancras. The journey to Central London takes about 50–60 minutes and costs from £5.60. Trains run every 10 minutes. This is the most affordable rail option.
Taxi
Official black cabs are available 24/7 outside the Arrivals hall of each terminal. The journey to Central London takes 45–60 minutes depending on traffic and costs approximately £50–80. Rideshare services like Uber and Bolt also operate at Heathrow, typically costing £35–55.
Bus
National Express and other coach services connect Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station and other locations in London. Fares start from £6. Local TfL buses also serve the airport. This is the cheapest option but has longer journey times.
Private Transfer
Book a driver in advance for a stress-free arrival. Prices start from £50 for a sedan, including meet & greet in the arrivals hall. Popular with families and business travellers.
Car Rental
Major international and local car rental companies operate at Heathrow, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Enterprise. Pickup counters are located in the Arrivals hall of each terminal, with rental desks available in the airport’s car rental centre.
Car Rental at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Compare live rates from Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Enterprise. Pickup counters are located in the Arrivals hall of each terminal. Free cancellation on most bookings.
🚗 Search available cars →Hotels Near London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Choose from 100+ hotels near London Heathrow Airport — from budget options like Premier Inn and Ibis to premium brands like the Sofitel London Heathrow (attached to Terminal 5) and the Sheraton Skyline Hotel. Free airport shuttle available at most properties.
🏨 See nearby hotels →London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Map & Layout
Interactive map showing terminals, parking, taxi stands, ride-hailing pickup zones, and nearby landmarks.
Airport Information & Contacts
The Compass Centre, Nelson Road
Hounslow, TW6 2GW, United Kingdom