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10 top tips to plan for Heathrow

Heathrow
Heathrow
Stuart Messham
Airlines and routes, Blog, Entertainment,
Heathrow is a world-leading airport that aims to provide best-in-class services at every terminal. Here’s our top recommendations to keep your journey as smooth as possible and get the most out of the airport while you're at it…
1. Download the Heathrow app
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Book parking, reserve food, track flights and more on the Heathrow app.

Track flights, reserve parking, discover shopping and dining, and even pre-order your food or beverages – the official Heathrow app is designed to help ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Whether it's your first time at Heathrow or you're a frequent traveller, the Heathrow app is the ideal travel companion to make the most of your trip.

Download app on Google Play
Download app from App Store
2. Consider staying at one of Heathrow’s hotels before an early flight
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A pre-flight hotel booking can really help you ease in to the journey ahead.

It doesn’t matter where you live in the UK, getting to Heathrow for an early flight can cause even the most organised passenger unwanted stress. So why not eliminate the pre-flight anxiety by staying at one of our hotels? You’ll be able to relax exactly how you want, get a prompt wake-up call, enjoy some tasty food and get to your terminal with the minimum of fuss.

Book the Aerotel at Terminal 3. (Also within walking distance of Terminal 2 and Heathrow Express, making it easy to travel between all terminals.)

Book the Hilton near Terminal 4. (Seven minutes to Terminal 4 by a covered walkway and less that 15 minutes to Terminals 2, 3 and 5.)

Book the Sofitel near Terminal 5. (Five minutes to Terminal 5 by a covered walkway.)

Browse Heathrow Hotels
3. Track your flight
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Monitoring your flight allows you to plan your movements across the airport.

With just a few taps you can monitor every flight arriving and departing from Heathrow using our app or our website.

When you feel in the know, everything ticks along that much smoother.

Download app on Google Play
Download app from App Store
4. Get to the airport on time
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Arriving at the aiport punctually will start you off in good stead.

It’s so important to plan ahead when travelling through Heathrow and other major airports. 

During summer at Heathrow, we recommend that passengers allow three hours to check-in before your flight and make sure all your travel documents are up to date before you arrive. 

(Please do not turn up significantly early for your flight though, as this can cause unnecessary congestion in the airport!)

5. Be prepared for security

  1. Bring no more than two items of hand baggage through security control, and ensure they are no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in).

  2. Put coins, keys, mobile phones and other small items in your coat or hand baggage.

  3. Place your hand baggage and coat into a tray.

  4. Remove electronic devices larger than a mobile phone – including laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles – and place in a separate bin to your hand baggage/coat for screening. Mobile phones can stay secured in your carry-on bag.

  5. Make sure your electronic devices are charged. If they don't switch on, you may not be allowed to take them on to the aircraft.

  6. Remember: Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less. They must be carried separately in a single bag, which is:

     - Transparent and resealable

     - No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in) 

     - Able to close properly with all the items inside.

  7. At security control, place the bag in the tray with your other items.


 

6. Save time by pre-ordering your food for collection 

We have teamed up with Grab to offer you a food and drink pre-order service. We are working with a selection of Heathrow restaurants to provide the service via the Heathrow app. It's so simple and it'll save you time queueing. Why not try it for yourself?

  1. Choose from our selected restaurants & cafés

  2. Order and pay from your phone

  3. Grab your food and enjoy in the terminal or on-board your flight

7. Reserve and collect your shopping
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Why queue when you can shop online and collect your goods on arrival?

Save time browsing at the airport by using our free Reserve & Collect service.

You can pre-order products from most shops at Heathrow, even if you don’t see them online. Check the Explore Brands page or enter your flight number to see the brands available in each terminal. 

Oh, and don’t forget: Heathrow Rewards members collect an extra 100 points and Heathrow Rewards Premium members collect an extra 150 points whenever the Reserve & Collect service is used.

Browse Reserve & Collect
8. Book a lounge
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Lounges are an oft overlooked way of relaxing and recharging before your flight.

Why not relax and refresh in style before take-off in one of our premium lounges?

They are usually cheaper than you think, children are welcome, and you have access to a delightful array of complementary foods and beverages.

It’s a slick way of indulging and regrouping before take-off, and everyone should try it once.

Browse Lounges
9. Travel hand luggage only
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The lighter you can travel, the quicker you will get through the airport.

Okay, so we know this isn’t always possible, but if you are only travelling for a short period of time and can enjoy your destination adequately with just a smattering of key items, then you should consider it.

You’ll just need to print your boarding pass and then you can nip straight through to security to begin your journey. You won’t have to wait to collect any baggage on arrival either – what a bonus!

There are certain rules around hand luggage, so make sure you’re aware of these before you get to the airport.

 

See full article: Save time by travelling light

10. Be kind when travelling
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Our staff are here to help you make the smoothest journey possibly through Heathrow.

Heathrow can be a busy place, we know this.

Our staff will always try their absolute best to assist you and make your journey as smooth as possible, so try and be nice to them where you can – and look out for other passengers too.

Being nice is a superpower: a kind word can mean a lot and good vibes really do help a journey run smoother.

We wish everyone using Heathrow this summer and beyond a pleasant journey.

✈️ 

You can keep up to date with all things Heathrow using our Instagram and Twitter channels.