London Heathrow Airport Guide
London Heathrow Airport is the primary international gateway for the United Kingdom, located 23 kilometres west of Central London in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It is the busiest airport in Europe and ranks among the five busiest airports in the world by total passenger traffic, handling a record 83.9 million passengers in 2024.
Heathrow operates on two parallel east-west runways and is capped at 480,000 air transport movements per year — a limit it operates close to. British Airways is the dominant carrier with roughly half of all passenger traffic, using Terminal 5 as its primary hub. Terminal 2 serves Star Alliance airlines including Lufthansa, United, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines. Terminal 3 hosts oneworld members such as American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Japan Airlines, along with Virgin Atlantic and Emirates. Terminal 4 serves additional SkyTeam and Middle Eastern carriers.
The airport is connected to Central London by the Elizabeth line (approximately 40 minutes to Paddington) and the Heathrow Express (15 minutes non-stop). The M25 and M4 motorways provide direct road access. Heathrow Airport Holdings, owned by a consortium of international investors, operates the airport under a long-term concession.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 50 listed options at London Heathrow Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for London Heathrow Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 84M passengers (2024)2 runwaysopened 1946
- Location
- 51.471, -0.460
- Operator
- Heathrow Airport Holdings
Terminals
4 terminalsLondon Heathrow Airport has 4 passenger terminals — Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, handling international flights for around 29 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Terminal 2International
Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Aer Lingus, Turkish Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, ANA, Icelandair
- Terminal 3International
American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Delta Air Lines, Finnair, LATAM Brasil
- Terminal 4International
Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Etihad Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Gulf Air, Saudia, EL AL, ITA Airways
- Terminal 5International
British Airways, Iberia
Concourses 5A · 5B · 5C
Nearby cities
5 citiesLondon Heathrow Airport is closest to Windsor (19 km west), and also serves London, Guildford and other nearby areas. With 5 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- London28 km east
- Windsor19 km west
- Guildford35 km southeast
- Reading44 km west
- Oxford64 km northwest
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the airport codes for London Heathrow Airport?
What are the airport codes for London Heathrow Airport?
Where is London Heathrow Airport located?
Where is London Heathrow Airport located?
What services are available at London Heathrow Airport?
What services are available at London Heathrow Airport?
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