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We're working hard, alongside our airline and retail partners, to prepare the airport for your return.
Our priority has, and will always be, to ensure the safety of both our passengers and colleagues. We have implemented a wide range of extra measures that comply with UK Government guidelines, and are designed to continue to keep you as safe as possible at Heathrow.
Watch our video and explore this page to find out what extra measures we've introduced to help protect you and our colleagues, to give everyone peace of mind.
Preparing for your trip
Please note that passengers are not permitted to travel for holiday and leisure reasons, and must have a legally permitted reason to travel (such as for work). More information can be found on the Government website.
Passengers travelling internationally from Monday 8 March 2021 are required to carry a new travel declaration form to confirm that they are legally allowed to travel.
We understand that this may be a stressful time. If you are travelling soon and worried about how coronavirus might affect your plans, please check the latest advice.
A few things to make sure of when coming to the airport:
1) As well as bringing your passport and ticket, please remember that we require all passengers to wear a face covering whilst at the airport
2) Some countries require passengers to show proof of a negative, COVID-19 test within certain timeframes of departure, so do check the requirements of your destination at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office website. Information about the pre-departure testing available at Heathrow is available here.
3) Good hand and personal hygiene practices are seen as the most effective response to the virus, so please make good use of the washroom facilities, hand sanitiser stations and maintain a safe distance from others.
Getting here
If you are using public transport, face coverings are mandatory. Most operators have amended their services and have introduced limits on the number of onboard passengers to help with social distancing.
If you are dropping passengers off at the airport by car, you can drop them off as normal but won't be allowed in the terminal unless you are travelling. We have car parking spaces in both long and short-stay and you can cancel your booking for free if your plans change
See our Transport and Directions section for all your options.
At Heathrow
We have introduced one-way systems to ensure social distancing.
Trollies are free of charge and are all fog-cleaned after every use. All of our toilet and wash facilities remain open and there are hand sanitising dispensers across the terminal.
Check-in
No need to check in early - check-in times do vary but we always advise to arrive three hours in advance for intercontinental and EL-AL flights, and two hours in advance for European flights.
All our check-in and bag drop desks are fitted with protective screens and are regularly cleaned. The check-in lines all have floor markings to help you keep your distance. To reduce the number of touchpoints, you can also check-in online and use your mobile boarding card to go through to departures.
Security
At Security, our colleagues are on hand to help you to socially distance and we regularly deep-clean our security trays and mats. You may be asked to remove your footwear or other clothing accessories to reduce physical contact with our security officers. Should you need to be searched, all of Security team will be wearing face coverings.
More information about security.
Departure Lounge
Our seats have been re-arranged so that they are two metres apart. You will be guided on how many people can enter a store at the same time and always use card payment.
Boarding
Check on the screens for your departure gate or download the app for up-to-date notifications. To help with distancing, five people will be boarded at a time.
Have a pleasant trip!
Preparing for your trip
All international arrivals, including UK nationals, are required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no earlier than 3 days before departing for England, this applies to passengers transiting the UK, as well as those whose final destination is the UK. For more information, please visit the Government website.
From 15 February, anyone permitted to arrive into the UK are required to either quarantine at home or, if travelling from a country on the “red list”, to quarantine in a Government quarantine hotel.
It is also mandatory for all arrivals to take a test on day two and eight of their 10 day quarantine period. This will provide an additional layer of protection against the risk posed by variants.
Before flying, people who have travelled in red-list countries in the past 10 days need to pre-book their hotel quarantine and testing on the Government’s booking system. People flying from a non-red-list country will need to pre-book their covid-19 tests before they travel so that they can be done while quarantining at home.
Getting off the plane
Welcome to the UK. We are doing everything we can to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and get you on your way safely. Follow signs for arrivals.
Social Distancing / face coverings
Currently face coverings are mandatory at Heathrow for all passengers aged 11 or over. In the UK, the Government advises to keep a safe distance and there are signs and stickers on the floor throughout the airport.
Immigration and passports
Passengers arriving from red-listed countries are to proceed into the lane where you will be processed through Immigration and passports and then transported to your Hotel where you will quarantine.
All other arriving passengers are to follow the usual process through immigration and passports.
Collecting your bags
We are trialling out special UV cleaning methods on all arriving bags. In the meantime whilst you are waiting, social-distancing signs and floor stickers will help you stay apart but you can always use the width of a trolley to help keep your distance.
Arrivals Lounge
Once you have cleared Customs you just need to follow signs for public transport, car parks and taxis. If you are using public transport, face coverings are mandatory. Most operators have amended their services and have introduced limits on the number of onboard passengers to help with social distancing.
Preparing for your trip
All international arrivals are required to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken no earlier than three days before departing for England. This applies to passengers transiting the UK.
Steps 2 - 7, listed below are for any passengers not travelling from a country on the “red list”. If you are travelling from a country on the “red list”, please see our guidance for transfer passengers.
Getting off the plane
Welcome to the UK and we too are doing everything we can to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and get you on your way safely. Follow signs for arrivals.
Social Distancing / face coverings
Currently face coverings are mandatory at Heathrow for all passengers over 11. In the UK, the Government advises to keep a safe distance and there are signs and stickers on the floor throughout the airport.
Connecting to your next flight
If your connection involves a bus journey between terminals, all our drivers are wearing full personal protective equipment for your safety and theirs. To help with social distancing, we will limit the amount of passengers on board.
Security
At Security, our colleagues are on hand to help with your social distancing and we regularly deep-clean our security trays and mats. Should you need to be searched all of Security team will be wearing face coverings.
Departure Lounge
Our seats have been re-arranged so that they are two metres apart. You will be guided on how many people can enter a store at the same time and always use card payment.
Boarding on to your next flight
Check on the screens for your departure gate or download the app for up-to-date notifications. To help with distancing, five people will be boarded at the time.
Have a pleasant trip!
We have launched a range of private testing options for passengers at Heathrow to keep you flying safely. Testing requirements vary depending on the country you are travelling to and from, which is why independent test providers at the airport are offering a variety of tests which can be used by both arriving and departing passengers.
Please note that these tests need to be pre-booked and fees apply.
Find out more about travel testing requirements and the types of tests available for purchase at Heathrow on our dedicated page on Testing.
Additional answers to frequently asked questions with regards to coronavirus and travel.
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