Fly Safe

Preparing for your trip

A traffic light system is in place for international travel and you are no longer required to complete a travel declaration form for your departure from Heathrow.  Depending on where you are travelling to, the testing and quarantine requirements on your return to the UK will differ.  Please ensure you have checked the status of the country you are travelling to before you fly.

Green List - Countries on the green list do not require those travelling to self-isolate but passengers will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on day two of their arrival back to England

Amber List – Countries on the amber list require a mandatory 10-day self-isolation period in addition to booking an approved Government testing package for day two and eight of their isolation, with the option for “test to release” on day five to end self-isolation early. Passengers must also take a pre-departure test.

Red List - Those travelling to countries on the Red list will still be required to book a mandatory 10-day Government Hotel Quarantine package ahead of their return to England; and must take a pre-departure test.

For more information visit the UK Government website. 

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.

Hand sanitising stations 

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.

See our shops
See our restaurants

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

A traffic light system is in place for international travel.  Depending on where you are arriving from, your testing and quarantine requirements will differ.  Please ensure you check the status of the country you are leaving before travelling to the UK.

Green List - Countries on the green list do not require those travelling to self-isolate but passengers will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on day two of their arrival back to England

Amber List – Countries on the amber list require a mandatory 10-day self-isolation period in addition to booking an approved Government testing package for day two and eight of their isolation, with the option for “test to release” on day five to end self-isolation early. Passengers must also take a pre-departure test.

Red List - Those travelling to countries on the Red list will still be required to book a mandatory 10-day Government Hotel Quarantine package ahead of their return to England; and must take a pre-departure test.  From 1 June, passengers arriving from red list destinations will be transferred to Terminal 3 to pass through immigration and collect their baggage.

For more information visit the UK Government website. 

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.

Transport and Directions

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.

See our shops 
See our restaurants

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!