Cheap Flights to Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR, ICAO: EGLL) is the largest and busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the busiest in Europe, handling 84.5 million passengers in 2024 — a record that broke the previous high of 80.9 million set in 2019. In 2025, Heathrow was the world’s second-busiest airport by international passenger traffic, connecting travellers to 214 destinations across 84 countries via 89 airlines — more international connections than any other airport in the world. The airport contributes over £6 billion annually to the UK economy and directly employs 83,400 people on-site.

Heathrow’s origins trace back to 1930, when a small airfield — Great West Aerodrome — was established on farmland west of London. During World War II, the British government requisitioned the land to build a long-range bomber base, but the war ended before it was used for that purpose. The airport opened to civilian traffic on 25 March 1946 as London Airport, before being renamed Heathrow Airport in September 1966 to avoid confusion with the growing number of London airports. Today, the airport covers 12.3 km² (4.74 square miles) of land in the London Borough of Hillingdon and operates two parallel east-west runways at near 98% capacity.

Heathrow has four operational passenger terminals — T2, T3, T4, and T5 — after Terminal 1 was closed in June 2015 and demolished to expand the current Terminal 2. Each terminal serves a different group of airlines: Terminal 2 (the Queen’s Terminal, opened June 2014) hosts Star Alliance carriers including United, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, and Lufthansa. Terminal 3 serves OneWorld and long-haul carriers including Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, American Airlines, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific. Terminal 4 hosts SkyTeam carriers and key international airlines including Air France, KLM, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, and Korean Air. Terminal 5 — the UK’s largest free-standing building, covering the area of 30 football pitches — is the exclusive hub of British Airways and Iberia.

For South African travellers, Heathrow is the primary UK entry point. British Airways operates direct services between LHR and both Johannesburg (OR Tambo) and Cape Town International Airport. Virgin Atlantic also serves Johannesburg, while South African Airways and Kenya Airways (via Nairobi) provide additional connections. The airport currently awaits government approval for a £49 billion expansion that includes a third runway, a new terminal, and a new M25 tunnel — a project that would raise annual capacity from 84 million to 150 million passengers.

Compare and book your cheap flights to Heathrow Airport with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and popular flight routes from Johannesburg to London and Cape Town to London.

Heathrow Airport is renowned for offering one of the finest airport shopping experiences in the world, with over 300 shops, restaurants, and services across its four terminals — making it a destination in its own right for luxury and duty-free retail.

Duty-free and luxury shopping at Heathrow includes world-famous brands in fashion, jewellery, watches, perfume, cosmetics, electronics, and spirits. Heathrow’s Reserve & Collect service allows travellers to pre-order items online and collect them at the terminal on the day of travel — ideal for duty-free purchases planned in advance.

Restaurants and bars at Heathrow span the full range from quick-service coffee and fast food to sit-down fine dining. Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants, Heston Blumenthal’s The Perfectionist’s Café, Wagamama, and dozens of other well-known names all have a presence across the terminals. Each terminal has a full complement of food options both before and after security.

Services at Heathrow include: banks and ATMs, foreign exchange (Travelex in all terminals), free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, a medical centre, prayer rooms, a chapel, postal services, luggage storage and wrapping, and a personal shopping service available in T5.

Heathrow Airport has one of the most extensive lounge networks of any airport in the world, with over 30 lounges across its four terminals catering to every airline alliance and passenger tier.

Key lounges at Heathrow Airport include:

• British Airways Concorde Room (T5) — the most exclusive lounge at Heathrow, for BA First Class passengers only, with à la carte dining, day beds, a spa, and a private check-in suite
• British Airways Galleries First (T5 and T3) — for BA First Class and Gold card holders
• British Airways Galleries Club (T5 and T3) — for BA Business Class and Silver card holders
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (T3) — consistently rated one of the world’s best business lounges, with a cocktail bar, restaurant, spa treatments, barber, and showers
• Emirates First Class Lounge (T3)
• Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge (T4)
• United Polaris Lounge (T2)
• Club Aspire Lounge (T2, T3, T4) — open-access pay-per-entry lounge available to all passengers
• No1 Lounges (T2, T3) — open-access for all passengers
• SkyTeam Lounge (T4)

Other facilities at Heathrow include: free Wi-Fi, a medical centre (24 hours), showers, currency exchange (Travelex in all terminals), luggage storage and wrapping, prayer rooms and chapel, children’s play areas, and an airside hotel (Hilton at T4, accessible without an exit).

Accommodation at and near Heathrow Airport suits both transit passengers and those starting or ending international journeys, with several hotels offering direct terminal connections.

Sofitel London Heathrow (T5)

This award-winning 5-star hotel is connected directly to Terminal 5 by a covered walkway — the most conveniently located hotel at Heathrow. Amenities include two restaurants, a full-service gym, beauty salon, indoor parking, and currency exchange. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available. A top choice for premium travellers connecting through BA’s T5 hub.

Hilton London Heathrow Airport (T4)

This well-appointed 4-star hotel is connected directly to Terminal 4 via a covered walkway, with free transit to other terminals available. Amenities include meeting rooms, a swimming pool, gym, and restaurant. Wi-Fi is included. Particularly useful for passengers connecting via Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, or Air France/KLM.

Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport

This modern 4-star hotel is a 5-minute drive from the terminal with a complimentary airport shuttle. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness gym, meeting rooms, and a bar/restaurant. Free Wi-Fi and shuttle service are included — a good mid-range option for early morning departures from any terminal.

Travelex operates foreign exchange outlets in all four Heathrow terminals — both landside (before security) and airside (after security). This is one of the most comprehensive forex offerings of any airport in the world.

Travellers can pre-order foreign currency online for collection at Heathrow up to 60 days before their travel date. Orders can only be collected by the person named on the order form.

Documents required to collect a foreign exchange order at Heathrow:

• A valid passport
• Proof of residential address
• Booking itinerary or booking reference number
• E-ticket or physical travel ticket
• ID document

All major banks also have ATM and currency services throughout the terminals. South African travellers should note that the British Pound (GBP) is the currency used in the UK — not Euros.

Heathrow Airport offers one of the most extensive airport parking networks in Europe, with options to suit every budget and length of stay across all four terminals.

Parking options at Heathrow include:

• Short-stay parking — multi-storey car parks adjacent to each terminal, ideal for drop-offs and collections of up to a few hours
• Long-stay parking — lower-cost car parks further from the terminals, with free shuttle buses running 24/7
• Business parking — mid-range covered parking with faster shuttle connections
• Meet and Greet / Valet Parking — drive directly to the terminal drop-off zone and your car is parked by a valet driver and returned to the same zone on collection
• Pod parking — available at T5, using Heathrow’s distinctive automated Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) pods to ferry passengers between the car park and terminal

Pre-booking is strongly recommended — Heathrow parking booked in advance can be significantly cheaper than turning up on the day. Book via the official Heathrow website for the best rates. During peak periods (school holidays, December, Easter, August) both parking and drop-off zones fill quickly.