London Heathrow Move Imminent?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
London Heathrow Move Imminent?
It has been rumoured ever since CO joined Star Alliance that they are moving from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1. The imminent move apparently explains why BF passengers can still use the Sky Team Lounge - because they know it's only a temporary arrangement.
The latest rumour is that CO will change terminal somewhere around Easter 2010, although one guy at Heathrow who is, allegedly, "in the know" was adamant that March 25th will be the date.
I can't see anything on CO's web-site and if I look at my employer's Departure Control System for flights next summer, all of CO's departures show Terminal 4.
Are there any Continental insiders out there who know what is happening please?
The latest rumour is that CO will change terminal somewhere around Easter 2010, although one guy at Heathrow who is, allegedly, "in the know" was adamant that March 25th will be the date.
I can't see anything on CO's web-site and if I look at my employer's Departure Control System for flights next summer, all of CO's departures show Terminal 4.
Are there any Continental insiders out there who know what is happening please?
#2
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Makes eminent sense as CO is now the fish out of water @ T4 / Skyteam central.
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2001
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There are two theories on the potential for the move. One is that it is imminent. The other is that it will happen several years down the line after the reconstruction of T2. There hasn't been anything "official" stated either way.
I wouldn't read too much into the use of the ST lounge. It is quite common for carriers to contract for lounge services when in the same terminal, just like they can contract for other ground handling functions. CO pays for the passengers who use the lounge so SkyTeam probably doesn't mind all that much.
I wouldn't read too much into the use of the ST lounge. It is quite common for carriers to contract for lounge services when in the same terminal, just like they can contract for other ground handling functions. CO pays for the passengers who use the lounge so SkyTeam probably doesn't mind all that much.
#4
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One thing to bear in mind is that the *A carriers are already scattered across two terminals, so moving CO to T1 or T3 will only help for some *A connections. Connecting between T1 and T3 still involves a bus connection, just like T4 to T1/T3, though the MCT rises from 75 minutes to 90.
From a terminal perspective, I'm not sure moving to T3 would be much of a step up. I probably prefer T4, the renovations have spruced things up a bit, and the ST lounge is very nice. But T3 is decent too, the SK lounge is nice (lesser food and drink than the ST lounge, though), and it has better transit connections. Maybe a toss-up, tough to say.
I'm not sure that any move is coming soon, but I wouldn't be shocked if it did.
#5
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One thing to bear in mind is that the *A carriers are already scattered across two terminals, so moving CO to T1 or T3 will only help for some *A connections. Connecting between T1 and T3 still involves a bus connection, just like T4 to T1/T3, though the MCT rises from 75 minutes to 90.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I would love for them to go to the T1,2,3 combo areas. T4 is almost as bad as going to T5. I hate schlepping between 4 and 1 and always worry my checked bags will not make it.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,527
Too bad they can't just all move to Gatwick, a much better airport. Heathrow has been rated by one travel guidebook series as the worst airport in Europe.
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 220
To sum up... All of Star Alliance will be moving to a new Terminal 2 in 2014. So it's debatable if Continental want to spend money on a move to a terminal planed for demolition in four years.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 220
I agree that Gatwick is simply a better designed airport than Heathrow... But Heathrow was built long before we had solid ideas about how an international airport should work. Terminal 1 and 2 being pretty obvious examples of what didn't work well.
And part of why Gatwick is easier to get through than Heathrow is that it has a lot less traffic than Heathrow.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 220
Oops, misread as seven... But you're actually being optimistic then, since they don't plan to be ready with the new Terminal 2 till at least 2014.
#12
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#13
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 220
Replacing Terminal 1 and 2 will go a long way towards correcting that.
#14
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Actually, T4 opened in 1986, the first infrastructure outside the central T1-2-3 connected complex.
#15
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 3,169
I may be confused a bit, but LHR is not going to become a major focus city for CO. I know its important, but its not a *A hub. nothing's going to happen their unless they create a *A hub terminal situation like Skyteam did. and with that, i mean a nice terminal with a nice lounge for premium pax.
they're going to keep the Skyteam lounge for BF pax and that's it.
as a *G you're welcome to use any of the numerous other lounges regardless of their locations. once CO relocates, they will reallocate a new lounge for BF pax (possibly soley for BF pax) and then directed the rest of the *G's to other *G lounges.
they're going to keep the Skyteam lounge for BF pax and that's it.
as a *G you're welcome to use any of the numerous other lounges regardless of their locations. once CO relocates, they will reallocate a new lounge for BF pax (possibly soley for BF pax) and then directed the rest of the *G's to other *G lounges.