Heathrow Airport

HEATHROW AIRPORT FACTS

Heathrow Airport is located to the west of London. The easiest access to the airport is off the M4 which is crosses the M25 London orbital motorway. The nearest large towns to Heathrow Airport are Hounslow and Staines.

The owners are BAA, a UK Plc who also own Heathrow Airport, Stansted Airport and many other UK airports.

Here is a map link courtesy of Multimap showing the Airport Location- Heathrow Map. Heathrow is the busiest airport in the world. The airport also handles the world's second busiest volume of cargo at 1.3 million tonnes of freight.

Heathrow Airport was voted Best Business Airport for 2002. Heathrow opened for business in 1946. By 2001, the airport was serving 64 million passengers.

No less than 68,000 people work at the airport.

There are 4 terminals now at Heathrow Airport with terminal 5 at planning stage. Heathrow's T5 will improve passenger congestion problems.

Despite typical air and noise pollution factors associated with airports, Heathrow Airport is doing its best to be environmentally friendly with reductions in energy consumption, reduced CO2 emissions from airport vehicles and plant, recycling of waste material and participation in the Green Corridor initiative to improve matters for people who live close to Heathrow. Surcharges of 70% of landing fees are imposed on noisy aircraft using the airport.

Within Heathrow Airport, you will find shops, commercial facilities, catering, car hire, bureaux de change, flight information displays, airport information desks & help points.

The airlines use Heathrow's efficient check-in, baggage handling, cargo processing, re-fuelling, boarding of passengers, safety, security and catering services.

HEATHROW AIRPORT SHOPPING

If time permits, do have a good look around the many shopping and eating facilities at Heathrow Airport. There are many retail outlets inside Heathrow Airport. World famous retail and fashion names have outlets at Heathrow. Airport passengers can take advantage of tax free shopping.

SPECIAL NEEDS AT HEATHROW AIRPORT

Heathrow Airport has a help line (0870 0000123) in case you have special needs within the airport terminal. It is also advised that you inform your travel agent and airline of your needs so that the airport and airline can work together to make your time inside the airport building as comfortable as possible. There are wheelchair/access ramps, lifts and reserved seating inside the airport departure lounges.

There is also an agency Travel-Care at Heathrow where assistance is available to anyone. This is not a 24 hour service but they are open daily. Contact number is +44 (0)208 745 7495.

Many hearing impaired help facilities are available at Heathrow Airport. Look for the usual icons. Payphones and credit card phones can also be found in the airport terminals. Guide dogs for the partially sighted are allowed inside the airport.

Wheelchair and baggage assistance at Heathrow can be arranged via +44(0)20 8745 6011.

During security checks at Heathrow Airport, private discreet searches can be arranged e.g. if you have a medical problem. If booking a Heathrow Airport Lounge, ask about disabled/special needs facilities 0870-7330-542.

BUSINESS FACILITIES AT HEATHROW

There is a Business Centre between airport terminals 1 & 2 run by Travelex.Meeting rooms, computers, internet and similar facilities are available.

Wireless Internet access may be enjoyed at Heathrow using BT Openzone (open an account). There are post boxes at all terminals and post offices (not 24 hrs) at terminals 2 & 4.

AIRPORT HISTORY FACTS

Heathrow Airport began life as a tented village in 1946. There was a village by the name of Heathrow now covered by the airport. Terminal 1 was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1969. Other airport terminals opened in 1955, 1961 and 1986.

HEATHROW AIRPORT CAR PARKING

Booking "Heathrow airport parking" is one of those hidden holiday expenses that we never seem to notice until it's too late. Now, having found this web site, you have the opportunity to make big savings on your parking costs. Savings of up to 50/60% (sometimesS more) are possible using this quote and car parking booking system, depending on the airport, date of travel and time of arrival at the car park on or off Heathrow Airport.