Britain’s largest airport, London Heathrow currently has 4 large terminal buildings, with a fifth under construction. All four terminal s currently in operation serve a variety of airlines including British Airways at terminals 1, 3 and 4. Other notable carriers using Heathrow include Aer Lingus and South African Airways at Terminal 1; Air France, Lufthansa, and Czech Airlines from Terminal 2; Air Canada, Emirates and Thai Airways from Terminal 3; and KLM and Qantas from Terminal 4. When Terminal 5 opens in 2008, British Airways will move the majority of its services to the new building.
Alternatives to get to Heathrow include the Heathrow Express train from Paddington Station, the London Underground on the Piccadilly Line via Hounslow to all 4 operational terminals, and the Speedlink bus service from the centre of London. Taxis are available from outside the terminal building, although the 15-mile journey into the centre of the city becomes very expensive. Getting from the centre of the city can take anything up to two hours depending on the traffic, so leave plenty of time for your trip. The car parking at Heathrow is extensive, and as some of the long stay parking is some distance from the terminal building, there is a convenient free shuttle service to get you to the departure area.
Heathrow Airport is on a par with many shopping malls when it comes to the sheer variety of shops on offer. Some of the best-known names available at the airport include Austin Reed, Burberry, Harrods, The Body Shop, and Boots.
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