March 17, 2008

Europe | England | London

Heathrow Without the Hassle?

By Tiffany Hawk

The world’s busiest international airport will soon join the 21st century — but is T5 ready for take-off?

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It’s been 20 years in the talking, 18 years in the designing, and seven years in the building — not to mention $8.5 billion and 20,000 workers — but with T5’s opening on March 27, the world’s most lucrative airport is set to become London’s most luxe. Despite the wait, timing couldn’t be better: Following the PR fallout from its recent crash there (plus last week’s firing of BAA’s chief executive), British Airways is desperate to wow back the public with a First-World Heathrow. Designed by Richard Rogers — who won the Stirling for Terminal 4 at Madrid’s Barajas — T5 has been called “a symphony of glass and steel.” It will (eventually) whisk passengers through the terminal in driverless, electric pods; they’ll then be swept through security thanks to no fewer than 20 lanes; and their luggage will be properly routed by a sophisticated new baggage system (or that’s what we hope: BA has the worst record for lost baggage in Europe).

Travelers with lounge access will be treated to a champagne bar and a gallery showcasing over 1,000 works from top British artists such as Damien Hirst and Anish Kapoor, while passengers of every class can browse upscale boutiques like Prada, Paul Smith and Tiffany & Co. What’s more surprising is what T5 doesn’t have: no fluorescent lights and no McDonalds. The closest thing to fast food is an Apostrophe sandwich boutique (complete with organic and wheat-free options). Though, of course, those with more time and cash might opt for Caviar House & Prunier or Gordon Ramsay’s first airport restaurant, Plane Food. All in all, T5 signals a bright new era for British aviation — unless of course BA’s pilots decide to strike or anarchists start to riot.