Further to that there’s an ongoing threat from environmental activists who are
allegedly planning to wreak havoc on the terminal’s opening day.
Brushing aside negative press, BA is focusing on the positives. The airline
claims that check-in should be smoother and faster, with more passengers
checking in online and using one of 96 freestanding airport kiosks, rather
than the traditional check-in desk. These kiosks are not assigned to a
particular flight so any passenger can use any kiosk, and is then channelled
forward through 150 manned bag drop desks and towards security, rather than
creating a bottleneck at check-in.
According to BA, the baggage system is the biggest single-terminal system in
Europe and can transport 12,000 bags an hour.
Airports operator BAA is already testing the system – which was evident during
our tour of the terminal when we came across eerily quiet bag-drop desks
fronted with row upon row of suitcases waiting for baggage handling testing.
BA also claims that its transit passengers will have a smoother journey
because they won’t need to change terminals when the carrier’s services are
united under one roof. Passengers transferring to other One World airlines
will have to change terminals, though, but BA says they represent less than
10 per cent of its transfer passengers.
D-Day for BA is March 27 when most of the airline's Heathrow flights (bar a
few flights that will still operate at Terminal 3 for the next couple of
years) will move to Terminal 5 and thousands of passengers will flood into
the terminal looking for check-in desks. If the designers have got it right
there should be fewer queues, and lots of happy passengers wandering between
the shops, restaurants and lounges - as for the reality, only time will
tell.
BA’s six Terminal 5 lounges in brief:
1. The Galleries Concorde Room in departures for First Class passengers
and Executive Club Black cardholders, which has a champagne bar, restaurant,
business suite and open terrace
2. The Galleries First for First Class passengers and Executive Club
Gold members has a champagne bar, wine gallery, deli, childrens’ zone,
Elemis spa and shower suites and work and entertainment zones
3. The Galleries Club South for Club World and Club Europe passengers
and Gold and Silver Executive Club members has a wine gallery, children’s
zone, work and entertainment zones, cinema, open kitchen and access to the
Elemis spa
4. The Galleries Club North for Club World and Club Europe passengers
and Gold and Silver Executive Club members has all of the above less the spa
access
5. The Galleries Club in Satellite B has the same facilities as The
Galleries Club South
6. The Galleries Arrivals is for First, Club World and Gold Executive
Club members travelling long-haul who want to refresh themselves after the
flight with the shower suites, or in the Elemis Travel Spa, or have a meal,
or catch up on the news
