UK / London / Airports / LHR [T4 & T2 Only (Airside Smoking Cages)]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1
UK / London / Airports / LHR [T4 & T2 Only (Airside Smoking Cages)]
After the departure security check, turn left (duty free area), watch our for Burberry on your left. After Burberry's on your left there is an escalator going down. You go down two floors and there is a smoking area. I discovered this three weeks ago. (If I remember correctly, there is a small sign "smoking area" before the first escalator.
WHAT A RELIEF
!!!!
WHAT A RELIEF

#2
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: ABZ / YEG
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 7
After the departure security check, turn left (duty free area), watch our for Burberry on your left. After Burberry's on your left there is an escalator going down. You go down two floors and there is a smoking area. I discovered this three weeks ago. (If I remember correctly, there is a small sign "smoking area" before the first escalator.
WHAT A RELIEF
!!!!
WHAT A RELIEF

#3
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe, and Carbon Conscious Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,604
As the original thread this was posted on was several years old, and the information rather outdated, I've split the new posts (that weren't in response to the old thread) out, to continue a more recent discussion on the topic. Please continue smoke, vape, or even pop some snus under your top lip in this new thread.
stut
Moderator
UK & Ireland
stut
Moderator
UK & Ireland
#4
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MLA
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 62
As I know from experience, OP is talking about Terminal 4 (the post only says "LHR").
The T4 smoking area was indeed a very pleasant surprise, but I was wondering if any other terminals (particularly T5) have followed suit?
I've got a (tight) connection from T4 to T5 coming up and I'm considering between clearing customs to have a cig landside, asking the staff nicely to allow me into T4 for a cig (but this means clearing security twice - in both T4 and T5) or just proceeding to T5 and trying to survive.
The T4 smoking area was indeed a very pleasant surprise, but I was wondering if any other terminals (particularly T5) have followed suit?
I've got a (tight) connection from T4 to T5 coming up and I'm considering between clearing customs to have a cig landside, asking the staff nicely to allow me into T4 for a cig (but this means clearing security twice - in both T4 and T5) or just proceeding to T5 and trying to survive.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 13,576
After the departure security check, turn left (duty free area), watch our for Burberry on your left. After Burberry's on your left there is an escalator going down. You go down two floors and there is a smoking area. I discovered this three weeks ago. (If I remember correctly, there is a small sign "smoking area" before the first escalator.
WHAT A RELIEF
!!!!
WHAT A RELIEF

Which terminal?
As unlike in many airports it is not generally possible to transfer between terminals airside unless you have a ticket for that terminal so access to this area will be limited
#6
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: MLA
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold, CC Gold, IHG Gold
Posts: 62
#7
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K(until 2022), MM *G for life, Hertz PC, BAEC Silver
Posts: 9,827
I've got a (tight) connection from T4 to T5 coming up and I'm considering between clearing customs to have a cig landside, asking the staff nicely to allow me into T4 for a cig (but this means clearing security twice - in both T4 and T5) or just proceeding to T5 and trying to survive.

#8
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: BQH
Programs: BAEC GGL, Taylor Street Baristas
Posts: 130
UK / London / Airports / LHR
I'm so pleased this forum was given the go-ahead...
Anyway, I wanted to flag this up as there's a widespread view to the contrary that Heathrow is completely non-smoking airside.
It isn't. T4 has a smoking facility which is technically a confined outdoor area. Turn left after Security towards the Pret a Manger, the children's play area and the QR Lounge. The smoking area is down a couple of flights of stairs (there is an escalator heading up) and through a couple of sets of doors.
There is one of those smiley face machines as you enter and exit. I always make a point of hammering the "very happy" button several times in the hope that HAL will eventually see fit to find room for a similar facility in T5...
Anyway, I wanted to flag this up as there's a widespread view to the contrary that Heathrow is completely non-smoking airside.
It isn't. T4 has a smoking facility which is technically a confined outdoor area. Turn left after Security towards the Pret a Manger, the children's play area and the QR Lounge. The smoking area is down a couple of flights of stairs (there is an escalator heading up) and through a couple of sets of doors.
There is one of those smiley face machines as you enter and exit. I always make a point of hammering the "very happy" button several times in the hope that HAL will eventually see fit to find room for a similar facility in T5...
#9
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 6
Vaping in LHR
There's a vaping lounge in T4 I believe, but not in T5.
However, after a flip-flopping of policy (it was banned outright for some time), it is now officially permitted.
http://www.heathrowairport.com/heath.../smoking-areas
I would recommend the Crown Rivers (Wetherspoon) bar as the best place to vape in T5.
However, after a flip-flopping of policy (it was banned outright for some time), it is now officially permitted.
http://www.heathrowairport.com/heath.../smoking-areas
I would recommend the Crown Rivers (Wetherspoon) bar as the best place to vape in T5.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: BQH
Programs: BAEC GGL, Taylor Street Baristas
Posts: 130
Yes, that link must rank as one of the most completely-unhelpful-but-just-about-technically-accurate comments I've read for a while. Anyone reading that would assume that once airside anywhere in Heathrow, you're stuffed if you want to light up. In T4 at least you're not but that's only because the smoking area can be classified as outside the terminal building.
#13
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
I've only been through LHR once in my life and have opted towards more smoker-friendly airports since to connect in Europe, but I'm curious is it possible to reach T4 from the other terminals without re-clearing security?
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 1MM, BA Silver
Posts: 10,180
No. Airside or landside transfers require passing through security. In addition, I believe you'd need a BP for a flight departing T4.
#15
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, Omni Black, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,739
When I needed an escort out of T5 due to a misconnect, there was a mother and daughter who went out to smoke. BA will arrange an escort for that, but they recommend you tell the escort that you need "fresh air."