United Airlines UA958 service from Chicago became the first flight to land at the new £2.5 billion Heathrow Terminal 2 – touching down at 0543 and arriving at the gate six minutes ahead of schedule.
The first passengers on the Boeing 767-300, which had 178 passengers and 11 crew on board, were greeted by staff at the airport dressed as Beefeaters.
United Airlines flight UA958 lands at the new Heathrow Terminal 2 at 0543United has sole operation of the terminal for two weeks until fellow Star Alliance carrier Air Canada joins it on June 18.
All 23 Star Alliance airlines operating Heathrow will move over the next six months in a phased approach, as the airport attempts to avoid the chaos in 2008 when Heathrow Terminal 5 opened. Delays, missing baggage and huge queues led to widespread criticism of the airport.
“After many years of planning and construction, tests and optimisation, we at Star Alliance are proud to welcome the first passengers into the new terminal,” said Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab.
“It is particularly fitting that one of our five founder members, United, should operate the first flights from this terminal, which sets new standards for Alliance customer service and seamless travel at this important hub airport.”
The Queen will officially open the new terminal on June 23In March, Heathrow's development director warned passengers using T2 in its first week of operation to be prepared to experience delays.
John Holland-Kaye said teething problems are to be expected when the new terminal opens in June and that his team's main challenge is to minimise any disruption.