Heathrow Terminal 2 is coming along nicely at the movement, with a target day of opening in 365 days time – 4th June 2014 according to a release by Star Alliance today.
Star Alliance currently operates from T1, T3 and T4 at Heathrow, with the following splits:
T1: Lufthansa, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, Aeagan, United, US Airways, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, TAP Portugal, LOT, Air New Zealand, South African Airways, SWISS,
T3: All Nippon Airways, Egypt Air, Air China, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Thai, TAM Airlines
T4: United (exCO routes Houston, Newark)
This will all change when T2 opens, and everyone in Star Alliance who operates to London Heathrow moves into the new terminal.
The latest list of who’s going where is at http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/company-news-and-information/improving-heathrow/heathrow’s-new-terminal-2/who-will-be-operating
EVA Air will also be joining Star Alliance in Heathrow T2 subject to its admission into the grouping.
Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance states:
“In a year’s time we will ring in a new era for our customers, member carriers and employees at London Heathrow. The purpose built Terminal 2 will be our home and will offer a superior travel experience to our customers, create new business opportunities for our member carriers and provide an improved working environment for employees
The terminal will offer more common facilities for the Star Alliance grouping too, as well as the ubiquitous lounge (which we can only hope has more lights in it than the current Star Alliance lounge in T1).
Also moving to T2 will be Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic’s Little Red operation. Germanwings will also be moving into the terminal too.
However, this leaves some airlines homeless. These include El-Al, Cyprus Airways, Transaero… and British Airways who have a short and medium haul operation in T1.
Whilst it’s safe to guess that most of the operations will move into T3 and T5 for British Airways, nothing has been confirmed for the other airlines – which means either them finding a home in T3 (the Oneworld Terminal) or T4 (The SkyTeam and everyone else terminal)
When T2 opens, it will not be complete, as the old T1 has to be leveled for the 2nd part of T2 to be built. This is due for completion in 2014.
It’s exciting to see that there stands a chance of a better passenger experience at Heathrow. Least of all, if it shortens connections and creates less stress – it’d be wonderful…
