New Heathrow Terminal 2 Starts Operations

First passengers arrive at Star Alliance’s new home at Heathrow
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.