United Airlines says its customers using London's Heathrow Airport will enjoy improved services and amenities with the move of the airline’s operations to the airport’s new Terminal 2, The Queen’s Terminal.
Currently United has a split operation at Heathrow, operating from both Terminals 1 and 4. Effective on June 4, all operations will be located to Terminal 2 and “under one roof” for the first time since the United-Continental merger in 2010.
United will be the first airline to operate from Terminal 2. It says customers will have easier, faster routes through border control on arrival and through check-in and security on departure. Customers also will have a choice of check-in methods including self-service kiosks, fast bag-drop desks and full-service check-in desks.
Customers will also be able to enjoy shopping, dining and seating options in a light, airy, spacious building, United said in a press release. Two new lounges will be available for the use of United’s premium customers at Terminal 2: United Club and United Global First Lounge.
Totaling about 22,000 square feet, the lounges will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the airfield. They'll offer complimentary food, beverages and Wi-Fi in addition to business facilities, shower suites and other amenities and services.
“We’re delighted that from June 4 all our Heathrow operations will be under one roof at the airport’s most advanced facility,” said Bob Schumacher, United’s managing director of sales – U.K. & Ireland. “Terminal 2 will allow us to provide our departing, arriving and connecting customers with a state-of-the-art, user-friendly airport experience.”
Later in 2014, the operations of United’s 22 fellow Star Alliance member carriers serving Heathrow will progressively move to Terminal 2, enabling faster, more convenient connections for United customers to and from flights operated by other Star Alliance airlines, as well as Aer Lingus.
United operates up to 17 flights each day to Heathrow from six of its U.S. hubs: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles. United operates more daily flights to Heathrow than any other U.S. carrier.
During peak periods this spring and summer, United will operate widebody aircraft on all five of its daily flights between the airline’s New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Heathrow. Boeing 767-300 aircraft will operate flights that United previously flew with Boeing 757-200 aircraft.
The 767s each feature a total of 183 seats – six in United Global First, 26 in United BusinessFirst and 151 in United Economy, including 67 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space. Like premium cabins on all United international long-haul flights, Global First and BusinessFirst will feature flat-bed seats.
Details of flight schedules are available at www.united.com.