Heathrow Terminal 5 and the subsequent changes

The big forthcoming airline news in London is the imminent opening of Terminal 5. Terminal 5 promises to be a revolutionary experience for airline travellers going to and from London Heathrow airport. BAA's website has a lot of detail about the terminal, which is supposed to allow for quick checkin, security and a more comfortable, spacious experience for travellers. If it proves to be true, then it will be a boon for Terminal 5's only airline - British Airways. However, following the hype of Terminal 5, there are a whole gamut of changes at Heathrow guaranteed to keep any flyers on their toes.

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I have attempted to compile a list of as much as I know that is accurate to date. Happy to have any comments to correct any errors from those who know better about dates and changes. I have listed changes according to airlines below. The changes are primarily by alliance, as the theory is that Terminal 1 becomes the Star Alliance terminal, Terminal 3 the OneWorld terminal, Terminal 4 the Skyteam and all others terminal and Terminal 2 is wound down and demolished to make way for the new Heathrow East Terminal.

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British Airways, Iberia and Qantas

On 27 March BA flights that currently operate to and from Terminal 1 will shift to Terminal 5, except flights to and from Spain, and those operated using Boeing 757 aircraft. Terminal 1 currently mainly services BA domestic and European flights, with selected long haul routes.

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On 30 April BA flights that currently operate to and from Terminal 4, except flights to and from Australia via Bangkok and Singapore will shift to to Terminal 5, this encompasses almost all BA long haul routes.

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On 21 June BA flights to and from Spain, and remaining Boeing 757 operated routes will transfer to Terminal 3. This is because all other OneWorld airlines are progressively consolidating into Terminal 3, and BA codeshares routes to Spain with Iberia. Iberia is shifting from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 on that date as well.

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On 11 October BA flights to and from Australia via Bangkok and Singapore will shift to Terminal 3 as well, for the same reason. Qantas is also shifting from Terminal 4 on the same date.

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Remaining OneWorld airlines

All other OneWorld airlines are to consolidate at Terminal 3, which is to get a progressive upgrade after the completion of Terminal 5. American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, JAL and Royal Jordanian are already located there. On 21 June, Finnair will relocate from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. From 11 October, all OneWorld airlines will be operating from Terminal 3.

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Star Alliance

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With BA vacating Terminal 1, Star Alliance airlines are intended to move progressively to that terminal, with a major upgrade of the terminal planned over the next 12-18 months. BMI, South African Airways, Asiana and LOT all currently fly to and from Terminal 1. On 29 March US Airways will commence flights to and from Terminal 1.

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On 5 May, Air New Zealand and United are both expected to shift from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1.

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On 25 October, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, TAP Portugal and Croatia Airlines are all expected to shift from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1.

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There is no timetable for Air Canada, SAS, Air China, ANA, Thai or Singapore Airlines to vacate Terminal 3 at present. The current understanding is that Singapore Airlines does not plan to shift to Terminal 1, as there are no airbridges at Terminal 1 capable of handling the Airbus A380.

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Skyteam airlines

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With BA vacating Terminal 4, it too will also get refurbished for a new life being the home of the Skyteam alliance of airlines, plus almost all other airlines unaffiliated with other alliances. Continental Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Northwest Airlines will commence flights from Terminal 4 on 29, 29 and 30 March respectively, with Delta on 26 October, but none of them currently fly to Heathrow. KLM is the only Skyteam airline currently flying to and from Terminal 4.

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On 11 October, Korean Air will shift from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4.

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On 18 October, Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia and Czech Airlines will shift from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4.

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All other airlines

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Well there is a enormous range of changes, but here are some general rules:

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On 18 October, all remaining airlines in Terminal 2 that are not OneWorld or Star Alliance will shift to Terminal 4. Terminal 2 will then be closed.

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With the exception of Brussels Airlines, all airlines in Terminal 4 not mentioned above remain there. Brussels Airlines shifts to Terminal 3 in October apparently.

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Only BA and Finnair are leaving Terminal 1, no other airlines are moving from Terminal 1.

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Around half of the non-aligned airlines at Terminal 3 are remaining the rest are going to Terminal 4.

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So there you have it. This is subject to change, and with more airlines joining alliances it may mean even more realignments at Heathrow. However, it does mean that there will be new experiences for probably the majority of travellers through the airport, and hopefully for the better. Terminal changes at Heathrow will undoubtedly cause enormous confusion in the next year!