U.S. mega carrier United marks 10th anniversary at London Heathrow Terminal 2

Over 16.5 million customers carried and nearly 630,000 tonnes of cargo transported between London and the U.S. on more than more than 102,000 flights since 4 June 2014

 

United offers 20 flights per day from London Heathrow to the U.S. in Summer 2024

 

United offers more flights from London Heathrow to the New York Metropolitan area and both the U.S. Northeast and West Coast than any other U.S. airline in 2024

 

United Airlines is marking 10 years of its operations at London Heathrow Terminal 2, since becoming the first airline to operate a flight at The Queen’s Terminal on 4 June 2014. United flight UA958 from Chicago O’Hare, operated with a Boeing 767-300 aircraft, arrived at gate B38 at 5:49 a.m. local time, six minutes ahead of schedule on 4 June 2014.

 

Since United’s move to Terminal 2, the airline has carried over 16.5 million customers and transported nearly 630,000 tonnes of cargo on more than 102,000 flights between London and the U.S. For Summer 2024, United is offering 20 flights per day from London Heathrow to seven of its U.S. hubs: New York/Newark, Washington D.C., Chicago O’Hare, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco. United is offering more flights and business class seats from London Heathrow to the New York Metropolitan area and both the U.S. Northeast and West Coast than any other U.S. airline in 2024.

 

Prior to the move in 2014, United’s Heathrow operations were split between Terminals 1 and 4, before the airline moved under one roof for the first time since the United-Continental merger in 2010. Progressively, 22 of the airline’s Star Alliance partners moved to Terminal 2, enabling faster, more convenient connections for United customers to and from flights operated by its partners.

 

“We are proud to mark 10 years of flying between Terminal 2, London Heathrow, one of the most important airports in United’s global network, and the U.S.,” said Karolien De Hertogh, Director Sales UK and Ireland, United Airlines. “For over 30 years we have provided a critical link between London and the U.S., maintaining service throughout the pandemic and strategically growing our schedule to keep our customers in these key global business centres connected. We expect another busy summer for international travel in 2024 and are proud to offer our customers in the UK extensive travel options and the possibility to connect via our U.S. hubs to over 220 destinations across the Americas.”

 

“Together with our member airlines, including United, we proudly celebrate a decade at Heathrow Terminal 2,” said Renato Ramos, Vice President Strategy Star Alliance. “In 2014, United became the first Star Alliance member airline to commence operations at T2, paving the way for others to join and establish a true alliance hub at our Heathrow home. Over the years, we have grown stronger, and today we offer a seamless collective experience at one of the most vital hubs in our network, featuring facilities such as Gold Track, Star Connection Centre, Baggage Tracking, and more.”

 

“Heathrow is delighted to celebrate a decade of delivering excellent service to passengers travelling through Terminal 2, previously voted ‘Best Terminal in the World’ at the World Sky Awards by Skytrax,” said Ross Baker, Chief Customer Officer, Heathrow. “In collaboration with our partner airlines, including Star Alliance and its member airlines, we have seen almost 148 million passengers travel through Terminal 2’s doors and enjoy the world-class retail and food and beverage options available. Reaching this landmark is an opportunity for us to enjoy looking back on a decade of achievements, while also looking ahead to the next ten years as we continue to create an extraordinary airport that is fit for the future.”

 

Over the last decade, United Airlines at London Heathrow Airport has:

 

• Increased the number of daily flights from 17 to 20 for Summer 2024, enabling even greater travel choice for its customers departing London Heathrow to its U.S. hubs and onwards to destinations across the Americas.
• Increased the number of U.S. hubs served from six to seven, adding a direct connection between London and Denver and onwards to points across the U.S., as well as popular destinations in and around Colorado and neighbouring states.
• Increased the number of employees working at Terminal 2 by 30 per cent to nearly 650, dedicated to providing customers with outstanding service.
• Tripled the size of its Technical Operations team from over 50 to more than 150 employees.
• Opened a new United Airlines aircraft hangar, the first hangar the airline has operated in Europe since the late 1990s, allowing its London Heathrow Maintenance Team to work inside a United-owned hangar for the first time this century.
• Introduced United Airlines’ bag drop shortcut service, which simplifies the lobby and bag drop process for customers, allowing them to skip the queue, check their bag in a minute or less on average, and get to their flight.
• Introduced the very first touchless check-in experience of any airline at London Heathrow Airport, allowing customers to check-in without touching the check-in kiosk. The touchless check-in journey begins on the United app or united.com/checkin where customers can check in for their flight, add bags, and pay any applicable fees. At the airport customers can use the kiosks to scan their boarding passes from their mobile device or printed copy and any luggage tags associated with the reservation will print immediately.
• Extended its United Polaris^SM business class cabin on every flight from London Heathrow to New York/Newark and Chicago O’Hare, offering customers a more than 50 per cent increase in all-aisle-seating on its reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. This aircraft features 16 additional United Polaris business class seats, bringing the total premium cabin seat count to 46. The aircraft also features 22 United Premium Plus^SM seats, 47 Economy Plus^SM seats and 52 economy seats.
• Introduced United Premium Plus, which is now offered on every United flight departing LHR, accounting for 10 per cent of all seats.
• Celebrated the retirement of the Boeing 747 from its fleet, bidding a fond farewell to the ‘Queen of the Skies’ on its very last United Boeing 747 flight departing from London Heathrow to San Francisco.
• Completed three United Airlines’ U.K. fantasy flights in collaboration with children’s charities, including Barnardo’s and The Honey Pot Children’s Charity, enabling children and young people to embark on an adventure to meet Santa at the ‘North Pole’.

Onboard Products and Services

All United flights from London Heathrow to the U.S. offer all-aisle access United Polaris and United Premium Plus seating.

United Polaris business class is a premium travel experience that prioritises relaxation and comfort, featuring quality inflight dining, amenity products and services from Therabody and Saks Fifth Avenue and full flat-bed seats with all aisle access.

 

United Premium Plus features a spacious seat with more legroom, elbow room and recline than a standard Economy Plus or economy seat, as well as an amenity kit, Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and plush pillow.

 

United Economy Plus offers added legroom and increased personal space. Located near the front of the economy cabin, the seats give the added benefit of a swifter exit from the plane on arrival. Economy Plus seating is available on all trans-Atlantic flights.

 

United economy offers complimentary food, soft drinks, juices, beer and wine, tea, coffee and inflight entertainment. On most aircraft, seats feature an adjustable headrest and a personal on-demand entertainment system.

 

United Club^SM Lounge at London Heathrow

 

Located at London Heathrow’s Terminal 2, opposite Gate B46, the United Club lounge welcomes customers travelling in United Polaris business class, United Club members, Star Alliance Gold customers, as well as First and Business class customers who are holding boarding passes for same-day travel on flights operated by other Star Alliance carriers departing from Heathrow.

 

Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the airfield, luxurious décor and vintage aviation-themed artwork, the United Club offers seating for over 400 guests, a 25-seat full-service bar, buffet area, three coffee stations, two TV lounges and nine private phone booths. Seating areas and furnishings are optimally designed for either work or relaxation, with abundant power outlets. The United Club additionally offers eight spacious shower suites for customer use, including valet service with garment pressing and steaming.

 

United in the U.K.

 

United Airlines has been serving the U.K. for over 30 years. This summer, the airline is offering 20 daily flights from London Heathrow to its hubs at Chicago O’Hare, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington D.C. United also offers year-round service from Edinburgh to New York/Newark and seasonal service from Edinburgh to Chicago O’Hare and Washington/Dulles. All flights are conveniently timed to connect at United’s U.S hubs with an extensive network of services to destinations throughout the Americas. Customers can book by visiting united.com or calling 0845 607 6760, or their travel agent.

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