The English airport of Heathrow is a particular place that contains many facts to discover and curiosities: in the post, we reveal five of them!
Heathrow it is the largest and busiest airport in Britain and as such is full of secrets, history and curiosities. Thousands of people flock to it every day to reach other destinations, unaware of what Heathrow hides behind the scenes.
The airport features four terminals (actually there are not five as you think), a control tower and two runways.
In this article we reveal you 5 amazing facts about Heathrow Airport.
1. There is only one virtual control tower
If, for any reason, Heathrow Airport's control tower is out of order, there is a virtual control room ready to take control to ensure that flights are operational.
This allows the airport to operate up to 70% of flights and continue regular airport activity.
Unlike the large tower that overlooks the airfield, what is known as the Virtual Contigency Facility (VCF) is windowless and is located on a secure site not far from the airfield. This is an exact replica of the visual control room at the top of the tower as well as the airport control room. It uses the same procedures, technologies and radio communications used when the controller cannot see the tower planes, such as thick fog.
2. The suites for VIPs and royalty
There are two suites - the Royal Suite, reserved for royalty, and the Windsor Suite - but no one knows exactly where they are.
The service includes a private driver who picks them up at home. Upon arrival, the VIP Concierge team takes care of check-in and baggage, while the passenger relaxes in his private lounge with TV, WI-FI and meals prepared by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton.
In addition to using a personal shopper, VIPs can count on privileged access that allows them to pass the security procedures inside the suite and when their flight is ready they are taken directly to the plane in a private BW series car 7. Those who arrive are greeted on the plane and escorted in a luxury car to their private lounge. One example is the new Duchess of Sussex. When Meghan Markle's mother Doria Ragland flew to the UK for the royal wedding, she used one of Heathrow's VIP suites, reserved for the world's most discerning clients, including royalty and presidents.
3. Where is Terminal 1 located?
In the future, the plan includes the demolition of Terminal 1 and the expansion of the new Terminal 2.
Has it ever occurred to you that there is actually no Terminal 1?
Open since 1968, Terminal 1 closed on 29 June 2015.
After 47 years of service. The last plane to leave was a British Airways flight to Hannover in
Germany Formally known as BEA, the airline was the first to operate from the Terminal. All flights that used Terminal 1 were moved to the new Terminal 2, which opened in 2014.
4. There is a "ghost" train station
Under the busy departure gates of Terminal 5, a "ghost" train station hides.
The station - which currently does not have tracks - was included in the construction of Terminal 5, which opened in 2008. This suggests that new ones could be created in the future. rail links to Heathrow. For example, a western rail link to Reading and a southern one to Waterloo. With the unused space extending its entire length, corresponding to 33 London buses, many do not even know it exists.
5. Heathrow used for film and TV
Heathrow has appeared on the big and small screen. Some of the latest filming includes the Hollywood film "Red Sparrow" with Jennifer Lawrence and ITV Documentary Heatrow: Britain's Busiest Airport. In 2018, to shoot the fourth season of the documentary at Heathrow Airport, the 14-person crew drank 1200 coffees during the three months of shooting that lasted 500 hours.
Besides being the largest and most important airport, thanks to its international connections, Heathrow is undoubtedly the London airport that holds more stories and secrets. For this reason it is worth a visit, even if only for once.
