London Heathrow: Terminal 5
Operated By: |
 Heathrow Holdings |
Website: |
www.heathrow.com |
Terminals: |
4 - 2, 3, 4, 5 |
This Review: |
Terminal 5 |
Rating: |
 |
| LHR LONDON TT0107 /221750 |
Last updated 26/12/2016
General: |
The UK home of British Airways and one of the largest terminal buildings at Heathrow, with two satelite terminals |
Appearance: |
The large single span roof creates a very light and airy terminal with walking distances from checkin to departures short (though to some of the gates there is a lengthy walks) |
Inbound
Domestic
On arrival you are directed to the far end of the terminal building, which is great if you are landing at a low numbered gate but a very long walk if you are parked up the other end of the building. You decend down to the bottom level of the terminal building to two baggage belts and from there out into a side exit at the end of the arrivals hall.
International
As the airport is so large there are quite lengthy walks from some of the outer gates to the central arrivals area. Once through passport control you descend down into the cavernous baggage reclaim hall with its massive high roof and acres of space, then through the largest customs hall I think I have ever been through before emerging into the arrivals lounge
The immigration hall is quite large, with two rows of desks staggered so that the queues can be cleared quicker
The baggage reclaim hall resembles a cathedral with a massive high roof and lots of empty space between the belts
One of the largest customs halls I have ever been through, if you are going to get stopped, it's going to be here!
Terminal 5 has it's own railway and underground stations which connect to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 station, there is no direct link with terminal 4. Trains continue into Paddington, tubes through Central London. There is also a large bus and coach station located in front of the terminal building
Outbound
Domestic
Domestic departures follows the same routine as International flights
International
Having checked in you walk through a large security area screening area to the main departures lounge area. From here you have access to lots of shops and food outlets. The gates are arranged in an open format around the shops, there are two further set of gates located in terminal 5B and 5C, both a short transit ride away
A couple of bars located around the terminal
Lots of coffee shops dotted all over the terminal building
A large number of restaurants, several landside, and more airside
Terminal five takes the BAA concept of a shopping mall that also has some flights to a new level
The toilets were clean
