London Heathrow
How can South West Trains possibly be mentioned in the same breath as Heathrow, the world’s busiest airport, which transports more than 7,700 people every hour to 180 destinations around the world? It can, because two of our stations—Woking and Feltham—are within striking distance of the airport, with efficient connections.
On 27 March 2008, the airport will have five operational terminals, when the new glass structure created by Richard Rogers Partnership to the west of the existing nerve-centre opens for business. Dealing with the majority of BA flights, it will also feature streamlined check-in and security arrangements, an impressive array of shops—Prada, Tiffany and Paul Smith—and a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.
Other parts of the airport are getting a facelift, too, in a renovation programme that will continue right up to the London Olympics in 2012. Later this year, Terminal 1 will close altogether, Terminal 2 will be demolished and rebuilt, and eventually Terminal 3 will have a major redesign. The place is going to resemble a building site for some time to come, but for all the criticism that comes its way, Heathrow is still one of the world’s great connecting points, and remains the only UK airport with direct links to the emerging cities of Mumbai, Shanghai, Beijing and Sao Paolo.
Around the time Terminal 5 opens, the new Open Skies agreement between the EU and the US comes into force, loosening some of the long-standing monopolies on transatlantic flights. New carriers will appear at Heathrow for the first time, such as Continental, offering twice-weekly flights to Newark (New York) and Houston in April. Other new services include American Airlines to Dallas/Fort Worth and Air France/KLM to Los Angeles.
Getting there
From Woking station, the luxury Railair coach takes you to the airport in 40 minutes stopping at Heathrow’s Central Bus Station (for Terminals 1,2 and 3) and Terminals 4 and 5; departs up to every 30 minutes; £9 single. From Feltham station, take the 285 bus stopping at Heathrow’s Central Bus Station (for Terminals 1,2, and 3) and Terminals 4 and 5; departs every 10 minutes; £2 single. Ask at the ticket office for a through ticket to Heathrow, which includes your bus/coach travel. Telephone 08457 48 49 50 for more details 0870 000 0123; heathrowairport.com
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