Heathrow Airport has launched a trial allowing passengers to pre-book security slots ahead of their journeys, one of the first airports in the UK to offer this system.
Heathrow Timeslot is a free service which will give passengers a designated time and entry point to the security search area, ensuring peace of mind when travelling, as well as helping reduce queue times for all passengers by allowing colleagues to plan resources more effectively.
Where is the trial running?
The trial will be live in Terminal 3 for up to six months and initially be open to passengers travelling with four airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic.
You can book at https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/VQRP
Further airlines may be added during the trial according to the Airport.
The outcomes of the trial will inform any future extension or roll-out to other terminals.
How it works
The facility is available for up to five people in a group. The timeslot is for security only – so if you need to drop bags or check in, make sure you account for that time.
Bookings can be made three days before departure. The latest timeslot you’ll be able to book is 90 minutes before long-haul flights and 60 minutes before short-haul flights.
When you book, you’ll just need your email address and flight details.
Once booked, you’ll receive email confirmation of your reservation including a QR code.
When you arrive at Heathrow, ensure any pre-departure formalities are met, then follow the signs to the Heathrow Timeslot area. A member of staff will scan your QR code and direct you to the security lane where you’ll need to scan your boarding pass. You may arrive 15 minutes before or after your scheduled time.
In Quotes
Mark Powell, Operational Planning Director at Heathrow said:
“Everyone is familiar with airport security, but at Heathrow we’re constantly thinking of innovative ways to boost the safety and streamline the experience for our passengers. This new trial will give passengers that extra added bit of certainty and reassurance ahead of their journey and we think it will be particularly popular for those with families or nervous travellers who may want a bit more confidence in their journeys. We look forward to seeing the data come in to give us some learnings on how we can roll this out more widely across Heathrow.”
Managing passenger flow
Trials like this have been implemented in certain airports around the world – primarily to manage passenger flow and introduce more predictability when passengers are going to show up for clearing facilities before heading to the gate.
According to their data, Heathrow’s passengers have consistently passed through security in less than 5 minutes over the summer and passenger satisfaction was higher than pre-pandemic levels. Although how your personal experience was will differ – I know mine did.
We’ll have to see how the trial goes, and if it expands beyond Terminal 3.
Certainly – there’s a passenger benefit for those who can plan in advance.
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