United Kingdom · London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Online Check-in
The UK's busiest airport and a major global hub, located 23 km west of central London. Four operating terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5) handle 80+ million passengers a year.
Now at London Heathrow Airport
- Security wait (today, avg) 18 min
- Disruption No reported disruption
- Weather impact Clear, 14 °C
Quick information
Airlines we cover at London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport hosts about 90 airlines in total. We have terminal-specific check-in pages for the 9 listed below. Pick yours to see counters, bag-drop, and online check-in details.
How to check in for a flight from London Heathrow Airport
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Check in online before you leave home
Most airlines open online check-in 24–48 hours before departure. It saves time at the airport and avoids airport-counter fees on low-cost carriers.
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Arrive at the right terminal
LHR has 4 terminal(s). Check your airline's terminal in the table above before you set off.
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Drop off checked baggage
Counters typically open 2 hours before departure and close 40 minutes before. Use self-service bag-drop kiosks to save time.
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Pass security
Liquids must be in a single transparent bag, max 100 ml each. Laptops and large electronics out of bags. Submit your security wait time below to help others.
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Reach your gate on time
Most airlines close the gate 20 minutes before departure. Allow 5–15 minutes to walk from security to the gate.
Tips for London Heathrow Airport
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Inter-terminal transfer is not trivial
T2/T3 are walking distance; T4 and T5 require a free shuttle bus or train (10–20 min). Allow 90+ minutes between flights at different terminals.
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T5 is the busiest at peak
British Airways short-haul peaks at T5A around 06:00–08:00. Arrive 90 min early at minimum during these windows.
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Express rail is fastest from central
Heathrow Express is 15 minutes from Paddington. The Elizabeth Line is cheaper (£12 vs £25) and adds 20–30 minutes.
Popular destinations from London Heathrow Airport
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal does my flight depart from at Heathrow?
Check your booking confirmation. T2 = Star Alliance, T5 = British Airways and Iberia, T3 = mixed OneWorld, T4 = mixed SkyTeam. The airport's website has a real-time terminal lookup.
How do I get between terminals at LHR?
T2/T3 are connected by a 5-minute walk. T4 and T5 require a free shuttle bus or the inter-terminal train (London Underground). Allow 30+ minutes for transfer.
Is there a hotel inside Heathrow?
Yes. Yotel Heathrow at T4 is airside (after security); other hotels (Sofitel T5, Hilton T4) are landside and connected by walkway.
Official sources
The check-in details on this page are sourced from each airline's website. For terminal layout, opening hours, and ground-side services, see the London Heathrow Airport official site below.
- heathrow.com — Official London Heathrow Airport website (terminal maps, parking, ground transport).
- Wikipedia: London Heathrow Airport — Editorial overview, history, statistics.
- FlightRadar24: LHR live data — Live flight arrivals, departures, and delays.
- gov.uk travel advice — Up-to-date entry requirements and security guidance for United Kingdom.