Using Heathrow Airport [Questions & Reviews]

[Aviador]

Heathrow ‘worst airport in the world’​

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Heathrow Airport has been voted the worst airport in the world for the second year running, according to a global poll of frequent fliers. The survey of members of Priority Pass, the independent airport lounge programme, included responses from 160 countries, with respondents taking an average of 17 flights in the past year.​

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The result is a repeat of last year’s survey, when Heathrow was voted worst as it sought to recover from problems with the opening of Terminal 5, which saw passengers suffer lengthy delays and a huge number of lost bags. This year Paris Charles de Gaulle was voted second worst, followed by Los Angeles, Frankfurt and Miami airports.​

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Source​

Do people think this is a fair, is Heathrow really so bad? Personally I have only visited the place once and I have to admit that it seemed a bit of a nightmare to navigate around the place. I couldn't help but notice Paris, Frankfurt and Los Angeles in the list as well which make me wonder it it's just a case of people not liking big airports?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: London Heathrow - Passenger & Frequent Flyers

I think that's the heart of the matter.

Because more people use these airports there is going to be a bigger group in numbers if not in overall percentages who will whinge.

It would be fairer to grade the 'league table' as a percentage of overall passenger numbers in each case, but I suspect they've just gone for the most people complaining.

 

[Johnnie69]

Hi all, this is my first post. Has anyone ever flown from Heathrow on Christmas Day? We have an 11am departure on Qantas (A380 Economy sadly). Is the airport as busy as usual and does Qantas do anything special on board (like ask me if I'd like to sit upstairs!!!).
Cheers

 

[Aviador]

Re: Christmas Day

Hi Johnnie69

There is a significantly reduced operation on Christmas Day, infact Heathrow along with all UK airports used to completely close on Christmas Day up until only a few years ago. I can't answer your last question about Qantas but hopefully someone will be able to answer it for you.

 

[Johnnie69]

Thanks Aviador, I was just wondering whether it was goign to be as manic as it usually is and whether it would be worth booking into a lounge, although I've heard the Terminal 3 paid for lounge is not great!

 

[Aviador]

What are the chances of you travelling on the A380 right now? Hopefully the teething problems with the Trent 900 will be resolved by then.

 

[Johnnie69]

I'm due on QF32 the one that exploded! Hopefully Rolls Royce will have sorted it by then and they will be safer than before!

 

[Sue Redesdale]

I am a regular traveller between the US and Europe and often connect through Heathrow. With timezone changes, codeshare flight numbers and four separate terminals, I don't always find it very easy knowing where to go to catch my next flight. Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? Any tips on how to make my trip easier?

 

[Aviador]

Which airlines do you normally use? If you stick with one alliance such as BA and the One World Alliance, you will (or should) be able to transfer in the same terminal.

 

[Sue Redesdale]

My company buys the cheapest ticket, so not always the same airline or alliance. I'd heard that once the new T2 opens, Heathrow terminals will be more alliance-focussed. Doubt the cost of flying will go down though!

 

[Aviador]

My company buys the cheapest ticket, so not always the same airline or alliance. I'd heard that once the new T2 opens, Heathrow terminals will be more alliance-focussed. Doubt the cost of flying will go down though!

Oh dear! If you're travelling onwards sometimes buying separate tickets can prove more expensive in the long run. Not all flights are delayed but there's always the possibility that your flight could be effected by delays. The cost of paying airlines to transfer you to alternative flights when there's a delay can be substantial because of the last minute factor.

With separately booked flights luggage needs to be collected and re-checked in as opposed to a through ticket where the baggage stays airside and transfers airside onto the connecting flight. Airlines wont cover the additional costs incurred where a through ticket isn't purchased and they wont be held accountable if your flight is delayed other than the mandatory refreshments.

Short connections can lead to lost luggage, lost luggage when you're needing to go to a meeting when you get to your destination could be embarrassing. Again, with separately booked flights, the airline wont be able to assist. With a through ticket the airline is obliged to get you and your luggage there and if something goes wrong they will endeavour to sort any problems out.

 

[Seasider]

If you are flying to the US, you have to collect your baggage and check in again even if you book straight through.

 

[Aviador]

If you are flying to the US, you have to collect your baggage and check in again even if you book straight through.

Thanks for that Seasider I wasn't aware of that.

 

[williamson]

I am travelling from Manchester airport to Heathrow to catch a connecting flight to Singapore. Having never flown from Heathrow before I just wondered if anyone new if there are smoking area's , Airside within the heathrow terminals. There are at Manchester airport . If not does anyone know if it is possible to go outside the terminal before I catch my connecting flight .

Many Thanks leasantry:

 

[Aviador]

Hi 'williamson'

The last time I checked there were no smoking facilities available airside at Heathrow airport. The only smoking areas permitted are in designated areas outside the terminals. You will only be able to leave the airside part of the terminal if your flight isn't interlining. In otherwords, if you have to recollect your baggage and re-check-in you will be able to go outside for a cigarette otherwise you probably wont be able to.

 

[abrahamthomas201]

You are not the only one who has been through this. There are others as well, and it happens quite often that people lose their way! Since you keep shuttling between Europe and the United States, one of those things you need to keep in mind is checking in again despite booking straight through.

I guess Mr. Seasider has mentioned this point.

 

[Aviador]

I think this is a security process to prevent the bags from going onwards without the passenger which makes sense I suppose.

 

[SMiller1504]

Hello everyone,

I am doing a survey on airport choice for my dissertation which specifically focuses on what attracts people to choose Heathrow as their departure airport. I kindly ask everyone who has used Heathrow Airport for previous or recent journeys to partake in this short survey.

Here’s the link: http://www.sogosurvey.com/k/RQsXPSRsRsPsPsP

The survey should take no more than 3 minutes and your responses will be invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[andrew.clarkson]

i personally have not flown from heahrow before, but i now from family, friends and other people have said to me in the past that if you roughly want to fly anywhere in the world directly, because heathrow has more choice, longer runways, this is where you fly from. But like myself and others that might want to fly from our own local airport in the midlands, Birmingham, they are not able to due to runway not long enough for direct flights, so this is why heathrow is used more because of choice, and its longer rnways...but if Birmingham Airports were longer which this will be the case from next April 2014 when the runway has been extended, then Birmingham will hopefully be able to offer more hoice and further direct routes long haul....i do hope this has helped you...good luck with yourdissertation and your degree.....AndyC

 

[Planespotter26]

I think this might help your situation, as the video shows the different terminals and where to go. I'm assuming since you're flying between US and Heathrow you're travelling to London or getting a connecting flight? Either way, knowing your different terminals will help. Remember 2 and 3 go straight to the main transport hub (very easy) terminal 4 and 5 are a little different.