Terminal improvements at London Heathrow
As we continue with the phased move of our flights at London Heathrow, there will be some important changes at Terminal 5.
Terminal 5
Choose one of the following topics for more information:
- Lounge information
- Check-in information and zones
- Fast Bag Drop opening times
- Important information for customers travelling with hand baggage only
- Check-in and clear security at least 35 minutes before your flight
- Be at your boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight
- Check which Terminal your flight departs from
- Security for UK Domestic flights
Lounge information
Terminal 5 has two departure buildings, Terminal 5A and Terminal 5B, each with lounge facilities. These are linked by a track transit system.
Gold and Silver Executive Club members are invited to use our lounges, as well as passengers travelling in our premium cabins (First, Club World or Club Europe).
To confirm lounge eligibilty specific to your booking, please use
Manage My Booking
Terminal 5A Galleries Lounges
There are two Galleries Lounges open in Terminal 5A. We recommend that eligible passengers travelling on longhaul flights departing from the main terminal (Terminal 5A) use the southern Galleries Lounge which is accessed after Security.
Note: the southern complex includes The Concorde Room, Galleries First and Galleries Club Lounges.
Customers with flights departing from Terminal 5A who are travelling in First are welcome to use The Concorde Room and Gold members of the British Airways Executive Club may use the Galleries First lounge. We recommend customers to leave the lounge 35 minutes before departure to ensure they arrive at their boarding gate in 5B no later than 20 minutes before departure.
Terminal 5B Galleries Lounge
Our Galleries Club lounge located in Terminal 5's satellite B offers eligible customers the same facilities as the Galleries Club Lounges in Terminal 5A. We recommend eligible passengers travelling on longhaul flights departing Terminal 5B to use the Galleries Club Lounge within the satellite building (Terminal 5B).
Passengers departing from Terminal 5A should use the lounges within 5A and not go to 5B.
All Galleries Club Lounges offer:
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The Chef's Theatre and Food Court
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Deli and coffee house
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Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Dedicated work and entertainment zone with desktop computers and printers
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Complimentary Silver Bar
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A specially designed KidsZone
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Elemis Travel Spas are available in the southern Galleries lounge complex in satellite A and the Galleries Club Lounge in satellite B
Check-in information and zones
Online check-in
The most convenient way of checking in is Online check-in. Online check-in opens 24 hours before your flight and enables you to choose your seats and print your boarding pass. You can then drop any baggage at the Fast Bag Drop desks within the terminal.
Check-in kiosks
If you haven't checked in online, then use one of our many check-in kiosks in the terminal. You can then drop any baggage at the Fast Bag Drop desks within the terminal.
Terminal 5 is split into 'zones'. To help the flow of passengers through the terminal, you should go to the zone relevant to your destination or cabin of travel.
Zone information
| Zone A | This zone is for Skyflyers and passengers who have oversized check-in baggage. |
| Zones B and C | Fast Bag Drop for Domestic, Shorthaul and Longhaul flights. Passengers with hand baggage who are travelling longhaul, or to Kiev or Tripoli can get their passports checked in this zone. |
| Zones D and F | Fast Bag Drop for Domestic, Shorthaul and Longhaul flights. |
| Zone G | Fast Bag Drop for Domestic, Shorthaul and Longhaul flights. Passengers with hand baggage who are travelling longhaul, or to Kiev or Tripoli can get their passports checked in this zone. Passengers travelling to Moscow or St. Petersburg must go to this zone to drop their check-in baggage or, if they are travelling with hand baggage, to get their passport checked. |
| Zone H | Dedicated Club area of the terminal. Club World and Club Europe passengers can also use any of the eligible zones above. Our Silver Executive Club members can also use this zone to check-in. |
| Zone J | Dedicated area of the terminal for First passengers. First passengers can also use any of the eligible zones above. |
Fast Bag Drop opening times
Fast Bag Drop desks for checked baggage open at the following times -
Fast Bag Drop desk opening times
| Premier, Gold and Silver Executive Club members | From 05:00 on the day of departure. |
| First, Club World and Club Europe passengers | From 05:00 on the day of departure. |
| Euro Traveller and Domestic passengers | From 2 hours before the flight departure time. |
| World Traveller and World Traveller Plus passengers | From 3 hours before the flight departure time. |
Important information for customers travelling with hand baggage only
If you have checked in online, or at a check-in kiosk, you will need to go to a passport and visa check desk if you:
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are travelling on any intercontinental flight - go to zones B, C, or G
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are travelling to Moscow or St Petersburg - go to desks in zone G
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are travelling to Kiev or Tripoli - go to desks in zones B, C or G
This ensures we have checked that you are ready to fly and are carrying the correct passport and appropriate travel documents before going through security.
If you have baggage to check-in, your passport and visa will be checked at a Fast Bag Drop or Customer Service Desk.
Check-in and clear security at least 35 minutes before your flight
To ensure we deliver the service you expect and avoid delays, you must pass through Check-in no later than 45 minutes before your flight and ensure that you have entered Security at least 35 minutes before your flight departs. If you do not meet these times, you will not be allowed on to your flight
Be at your boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight
To ensure we deliver the service you expect and avoid delays, you must at your boarding gate at least 20 minutes before your flight departs. If you do not meet this time, you will not be allowed on to your flight.
Correct London terminal information
Check which London Terminal your flight will depart from or arrive into
Or if you have a booking, you can retrieve your flight details and terminal information (you will need your booking reference)
Go to Manage My BookingSecurity for UK Domestic flights
A digital photograph of all customers on UK Domestic flights from London Heathrow Terminal 5 will be taken at airport security. When boarding the flight, the photograph will be checked. Once checks are complete, all photographs will be deleted.
Visit out Terminal 5 website