Tag Archives: london heathrow

Terminal 2 opens as the Star Alliance terminal at London Heathrow Airport

The first phase of the rebuilding of Terminal 2 at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) opened today (June 4) for the Star Alliance. United Airlines operated the first flights from the new T2.

The Star Alliance has issued this statement:

The new Terminal 2 – the home of Star Alliance at Heathrow – threw open its doors to welcome its first passengers, marking the start of a new travel experience for the 12 million Star Alliance passengers who pass through this leading UK airport every year. Star Alliance member airline United is the first to move in to the new facility, known as Terminal 2 | the Queen’s Terminal for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

All 23 Star Alliance airlines operating Heathrow will move over the next six months: the first time all member airlines will be collocated at the airport. “After many years of planning and construction, tests and optimisation, we at Star Alliance are proud to welcome the first passengers into the new terminal,” said Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab. “It is particularly fitting that one of our five founder members, United, should operate the first flights from this terminal, which sets new standards for Alliance customer service and seamless travel at this important hub airport.”

The first flight to arrive at the new terminal was United’s service UA 958 from Chicago, which landed at 05:43 local time and reached gate B38 at 05:49, six minutes ahead of schedule. The Boeing 767-300 had 178 passengers and 11 crew on board.

Terminal 2, designed by lead architect Luis Vidal, was jointly developed by Heathrow, Star Alliance and its member carriers, with the aim of establishing a true seamless hub at one of the world’s premier international airports. Optimised for today’s air traveller, the facilities of the 23 Star Alliance airlines are integrated to an unprecedented level – laying the groundwork for customer service excellence.

Once all airlines are in residence, connections for transfer passengers will be smoother than ever before at Heathrow, with a standardised minimum connection time of just 60 minutes. Move dates for the remaining 22 airlines have been carefully planned to ensure that each group of airlines has time to embed its operations before the next set of carriers moves in.

Air Canada, Air China and ANA will be the next new occupants, transferring their operations to T2 from June 18th. In July, Aegean, EVA Air, THAI, and Turkish Airlines will move in, together with Avianca – which will launch a service between London and Bogota on July 4th. After a break for the European summer holiday period, moves will resume in September with EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Then finally, October sees the arrival of Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways, SWISS and TAP Portugal.

A positive tone for the passenger journey is set by the architectural design of the terminal, which uses natural light to create an open and airy atmosphere. Its open-plan check-in facility is directly adjacent to the security area. Passengers exit security on the top level of a two-tier international departures hall, with a clear view out onto the airport. This is just one example of the logical passenger flows that underpin the terminal’s design.

Departing and arriving passengers pass through the building on different levels, guided by clear signage. Transfer passengers follow a separate channel from the arrival gate to security and then join the departing passengers flow. Technology is integrated into the terminal experience and will be used throughout to give the passenger control of their journey. The check-in area has been specially designed for speed and efficiency.

Airlines are grouped in zones, while a row of 81 common use self-service kiosks can be used by any passenger to check in and/or print a bag tag before they proceed to a bag drop desk to hand their luggage to an agent. Full-service traditional check-in desks are provided for the use of First Class, Business class and Star Alliance Gold passengers. Premium passengers also have a fast-track option to speed them through the security checks.

Eight out of 12 gates at the T2B satellite will allow self-boarding, meaning passengers simply pass through a mechanical barrier to board their flight. Four airline lounges will be available for premium passengers, including those with Star Alliance Gold status. These are located in the main terminal building and the satellite, so eligible passengers can relax close to their gate.

The 23 Star Alliance airlines serving Heathrow are Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca*, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, and United. Together they operate over 121 flights per day to 45 destinations in 25 countries. Each of these flights acts as a gateway to the full Alliance network of more than 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries. The strong Star Alliance hub at Heathrow is expected to act as a catalyst for growth in global passenger traffic to London and to increase the attractiveness of Heathrow as an international transfer airport. It will enhance Heathrow’s standing for the truly frequent international traveller.

In addition, United Airlines issued this statement:

United Airlines today (June 4) became the first airline to operate a flight at London Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal. United flight UA 958, a Boeing 767 from Chicago, arrived at gate 38B at 5:49 a.m. local time.

United flight 958 was the first of United’s 17 scheduled flight arrivals at Terminal 2 today. The airline also is scheduled to operate 17 departures from the terminal today, bringing all of its operations at Heathrow – previously split between Terminals 1 and 4 – “under one roof” for the first time.

Interactive LHR Airport Map: CLICK HERE

Delta and Virgin Atlantic unveil a new schedule between London Heathrow and Atlanta and Los Angeles, Virgin Atlantic to fly to Atlanta

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) and Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) will transfer operations for nonstop flights connecting London-Heathrow to both Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport this winter, offering more choices for the airlines’ customers on key routes across the Atlantic.

Effective October 26, 2014, Delta will begin operating one of two daily Heathrow-Los Angeles flights currently operated by Virgin Atlantic. This new Delta service will mark the airline’s first nonstop flight between Los Angeles and London Heathrow and is Delta’s seventh nonstop destination between London and the United States. Virgin Atlantic will begin operating one of Delta’s three daily flights between Heathrow and Atlanta. The two airlines will codeshare on each other’s operated services, allowing Delta and Virgin customers seamless access to the expanded network.

This announcement also shows how the partnership, which launched on January 1, 2014, is increasing the network of each carrier. Virgin Atlantic will have access to Delta’s Atlanta hub, the busiest airport in the world, for the first time, providing expansive and unprecedented access for Virgin Atlantic customers to connect to points throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The airline will now be able to offer more than 100 additional international and domestic connections to its customers. This brings the total number of connections available through the partnership to more than 200.

Delta and Virgin Atlantic’s new winter 2014 schedule between Heathrow and Los Angeles and Atlanta:

Combined, the two airlines operate a total of 32 peak daily nonstop flights between North America and the U.K., including 24 flights between London Heathrow and popular U.S. destinations. Delta recently co-located its New York, Boston and Seattle routes into Terminal 3 – Virgin Atlantic’s home at Heathrow Airport. This move provided additional choice and flexibility to customers while reducing onward transit times.

Virgin Atlantic will continue to operate two daily services to Los Angeles and Delta will continue to fly three daily services to Atlanta, until October 26, 2014.

Delta will continue to operate its Atlanta, Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul services from London Heathrow’s Terminal 4.

Virgin Atlantic will operate its Atlanta flight from Heathrow Terminal 3.

Copyright Photo: Luimer Cordero/AirlinersGallery.com. Virgin Atlantic is coming to Atlanta. Airbus A330-343X G-VKSS (msn 1201) is pictured arriving in Miami.

Delta Air Lines:

Virgin Atlantic:

Qatar Airways announces all business Airbus A319 flights to London Heathrow

Qatar Airways (Doha) has announced the launch of a new daily all premium Business Class service from its hub in Doha to London’s Heathrow Airport.

The new service will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, commencing from May 15, 2014, with an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with an all Business Class, single aisle, 2–2 seating configuration offering 40 seats.

Qatar Airways currently operates five daily flights to London Heathrow and the additional sixth all Business Class daily service marks the start of an exciting new era for travelers to and from the UK, who can experience complete comfort and privacy with the airline’s award-winning five-star hospitality.

The new additional flight will step up the frequency on the Doha – London Heathrow route from 35 to 42 weekly services.

Qatar Airways has been awarded the World’s Best Business Class Airline for 2013 and has also twice been the recipient of the Airline of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012 at the prestigious Skytrax Airline Awards. The airline has also been named as ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ for the second year running and ‘Business Airline of the Year’ at the high profile UK Business Travel Awards 2014 recently held in London.

Qatar Airways’ new A319 Business Class seat will have one of the highest specifications for business class travel of any airline with wide seats that recline into fully flat beds and state of the art Oryx entertainment system (with more than 900 entertainment options – movies, television, video games and music).

Passengers can also remain in touch with their friends and loved ones on the ground through the SMS mobile texting GSM and GPRS service upon this aircraft, which is sure to reflect that of a VIP jet experience for those traveling between London and Doha.

Currently undergoing rapid expansion, Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Now in its 17th year of operations, Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 129 aircraft flying to 134 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.

Qatar Airways’ first venture into the all Business Class premium market will strengthen its position as one of the leading airlines in the global aviation industry.

As part of its aggressive expansion program, Qatar Airways will launch routes to eight new destinations during 2014: Sharjah (UAE) from March 1; Dubai World Central (UAE) from March 1; Philadelphia (USA) from April 2; Larnaca (Cyprus) from April 29; Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (Turkey) from May 22; Edinburgh (Scotland) from May 28; Miami (USA) from June 10 and Dallas/Fort Worth (USA) from July 1.

The Doha – London Heathrow New Daily A319 All Business Class Flight Schedule (all times local)

Depart Doha QR015 at 14:50 hrs, arrives in London Heathrow 20:25 hrs
Depart London Heathrow QR016 at 21:55 hrs, arrives in Doha 06:40 hrs

Top Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. All others by Qatar Airways. Operated as an ACJ, Airbus A319-133 A7-CJA (man 1656) arrives in Zurich.

Qatar Airways:

AeroMexico is coming to Rio de Janeiro

AeroMexico (Mexico City) has announced new service between Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro with four nonstop flights per week starting on June 29.

Rio de Janeiro thus becomes the second destination AeroMexico serves in Brazil and its 13^th destination in Latin America.

The AeroMexico flight schedules to this Brazilian city are:

Mexico City – Rio de Janeiro*

Flight number	Departure	Arrival	Frequency
AM 024	6:40 p.m.	06:20 a.m.	Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

Rio de Janeiro – Mexico City*

Flight number	Departure	Arrival	Frequency
AM 025	7:55 a.m.	5:05 p.m.	Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

* Times published are local to each country and are subject to changes without notice.

Flights between the two cities will be operated with Boeing 767 airplanes configured with 171 seats, 30 in the front Clase Premier cabin.

Copyright Photo: Terry Wade/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-25D ER XA-EAP (msn 24734) completes its final approach into London (Heathrow).

AeroMexico:

Finnair to operate a fifth daily flight to London Heathrow

Finnair (Helsinki) is increasing the number of flights it operates to London Heathrow from Helsinki from four to five times daily. Effective March 30, 2014, flight AY 995 departs Helsinki at 4:25 P.M. (1625) for arrival in London three hours later at 5:30 P.M. (1730), while AY 996 departs London at 7:35 P.M. (1935) and arrives in Helsinki at 12:30 A.M. (0030). The new frequency will be flown primarily with Finnair’s new Airbus A321 aircraft, which are equipped with fuel-efficient Sharklet wingtip devices and operate within Heathrow’s strictest noise parameters.

In addition to its own five daily frequencies, Finnair offers two daily codeshare roundtrips operated by fellow oneworld partner British Airways.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A321-231 D-AZAO with Sharklets became OH-LZG (msn 5758) on September 5, 2013.

Finnair:

Willie Walsh: “A number of European carriers will fail this winter”

British Airways‘ (London) and IAG’s CEO Willie Walsh stated in an article published by Travel Weekly, has warned “a number” of European carriers are poised to fail this winter season.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Wearing a Panda face for the launch of the new route to Chengdu, China, Boeing 777-236 G-YMMH (msn 30309) arrives at the London (Heathrow) hub.

British Airways:

Air Astana to start Astana-London Heathrow weekly flights on October 31

Air Astana (Almaty) will start a weekly nonstop route linking the capital of Astana with London (Heathrow) starting on October 31. The new route will complement existing Almaty-London (Heathrow) flights and will be operated with Boeing 757-200s per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 757-2G5 P4-GAS (msn 28112) arrives at the resort destination of Antalya, Turkey.

Air Astana:

British Airways gets ready to fly to Chengdu, China with a Panda Jet

British Airways (London) as planned, will launch its new thrice-weekly London (Heathrow)-Chengdu, China route on September 22. BA has painted the pictured Boeing 777-236 ER G-YMMH (msn 30309) as a smiling panda. Chengdu is the home of the giant panda.

BA is also adding the lucky (in China) “8” in the flight numbers. Flight BA 89 will depart London Heathrow on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 1530, arriving into Chengdu at 0855 the following day. The return flight BA 88 will depart Chengdu on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1055, arriving at Heathrow Airport at 1500.

British Airways:

Video:

Kenya Airways is losing revenue every day due to the Nairobi terminal fire

Kenya Airways‘ (Nairobi) CEO Titus Naikumi estimates the airline has already lost around $4 million due to the August 7 fire that gutted the international arrival building at Nairobi’s Airport. The airline is suffering long delays and cancellations due to the damage. The airport has erected tents as a makeshift terminal according to this report by Reuters. Kenya Airways is currently operating at around 90 percent of its normal capacity.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-2U8 ER 5Y-KQS (msn 33683) prepares to depart from London (Heathrow) bound for Nairobi.

Kenya Airways:

British Airways to bring the Boeing 787-8 to Toronto on September 1, issues a new video

British Airways (London) has confirmed it will introduce the new Boeing 787 to both Toronto (Pearson) and Newark as the first two 787 routes. The 787 will debut on the London (Heathrow)-Toronto (Pearson) route on September 1 and the Heathrow-Newark route a month later. The new 787s and Airbus A380s will replace the 30 older Boeing 747-400s between 2017 and 2023.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 G-ZBJB (msn 38610) was handed over by Boeing on June 25 followed by the pictured G-ZBJA (msn 38609) on June 29. Crews are currently undergoing training with both aircraft.

British Airways:

New Video: