London Heathrow: Terminal 4

Operated By:

Heathrow Holdings

Website:

www.heathrow.com

Terminals:

4 - 2, 3, 4, 5

This Review:

Terminal 4

Rating:

3 star - Average service with more positives than negatives
  LHR
LONDON
TT0107 /221750

 
Review created: 26/04/2003;
Last updated 29/07/2007

General:

The newest of the 4 terminals at Heathrow and the main one for BA long-haul
   

Appearance:

Considering that the terminal was new in 1987 it is showing its age, the red plastic looks dated and the terminal building looks tired. The check in area and non secure parts of the terminal are small and quite cramped.

Inbound

Domestic
There are no domestic flights arriving into Terminal 4

International
Again another long, possibly longer than in departures, walk from the gate to immigration and passports.

The area is quite chaotic, especially when a couple of 747 loads of people are trying to get through at the same time. A large open space (occupying the same space as about 4 normal desks) has been created for EU citizens to pass quickly through, otherwise there are long queues for other passport holders.

Baggage reclaim is small given the number of belts there are and it feels quite claustrophobic. Luggage drops from the ceiling onto the racks and if you get stuck in a corner it can take some time to get past all the other people crowding round the belts.

For such a large airport with flights coming in from all over the globe I was surprised at how few customs officials and how small the hall was.

Heathrow is well served for connections. Terminal 4 has it's own Piccadilly line (Metro) and Heathrow Express (Train) stations. Although there is little in the way of onward road transport from Terminal 4 it is free to catch the tube or train one stop to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 where the main central bus station is located with buses serving most of West London and coaches into Central London and other major cities.

Outbound

Domestic
There are no domestic flights departing from Terminal 4

International
Once through security the terminal opens up more and becomes less dark and oppressive. Large number of shops and cafe's. Departure gates are spaced out quite a lot and taking off from gates 20-24 (as I did from 22) requires a 15 minute walk!

Despite being the main long-haul terminal there is not much in the way of facilities on the land-side. There is a bar on the middle floor between departures and arrivals. Once through to air-side there are are a few more bars.

There are a couple of large cafe's on the land-side of the airport and then several more once you have crossed through to air-side

There is not much in the way of choice on the land-side, once through to air-side there are a couple of reasonably sized restaurants.

Again, not much on the land-side other than the compulsory luggage store and branch of WH Smiths. Once you are through to air-side there is a large selection of shops

The toilets are clean and well maintained.