Which Heathrow terminal is my airline?
BA is Terminal 5, most of the time. Virgin, Delta, American and Emirates are Terminal 3. Star Alliance airlines are Terminal 2, and Qatar, Etihad, Air France and KLM are Terminal 4. As for Terminal 1, it closed back in 2015, though we still get asked for it at 4am. 😄
If you only remember one thing
Terminal 5 is British Airways and Iberia. Terminal 3 is oneworld (apart from BA), plus Virgin Atlantic, Delta and Emirates. Terminal 2 is Star Alliance: Lufthansa, United, Air Canada, Singapore. Terminal 4 is SkyTeam and the Gulf airlines: Air France, KLM, Qatar, Etihad.
Careful: BA isn't always Terminal 5 any more
Since 29 March 2026, a handful of British Airways long-haul routes, including Denver, Phoenix and Bermuda, fly from Terminal 3. We collected a passenger off the Phoenix flight at T3 just this week, and half the people we drive still assume every BA flight is T5. It's worth ten seconds on your booking to check.
Every popular airline and its Heathrow terminal
| Airline | Terminal |
|---|---|
| British Airways | Terminal 5 (some long-haul flights, including Denver, Phoenix and Bermuda, use Terminal 3 since March 2026) |
| Iberia | Terminal 5 |
| Virgin Atlantic | Terminal 3 |
| Delta | Terminal 3 |
| American Airlines | Terminal 3 |
| Emirates | Terminal 3 |
| Cathay Pacific | Terminal 3 |
| Qantas | Terminal 3 |
| Japan Airlines | Terminal 3 |
| Finnair | Terminal 3 |
| Lufthansa | Terminal 2 |
| United Airlines | Terminal 2 |
| Air Canada | Terminal 2 |
| Singapore Airlines | Terminal 2 |
| Aer Lingus | Terminal 2 |
| Turkish Airlines | Terminal 2 |
| SWISS | Terminal 2 |
| TAP Air Portugal | Terminal 2 |
| Air India | Terminal 2 |
| ITA Airways | Terminal 2 (since March 2026) |
| Icelandair | Terminal 2 |
| SAS | Terminal 2 |
| Qatar Airways | Terminal 4 |
| Etihad | Terminal 4 |
| Air France | Terminal 4 |
| KLM | Terminal 4 |
| Korean Air | Terminal 4 |
| Malaysia Airlines | Terminal 4 |
| Royal Air Maroc | Terminal 4 |
| Vueling | Terminal 4 |
Checked November 2026. Airlines do shuffle terminals now and then, so double-check with yours. If your ticket shows two airlines, go by the one that's actually flying the plane.
Our drivers' Heathrow secret: the back way in
Here's something you won't find on the airport's website. Whichever terminal we're heading to, we usually leave the M25 at Junction 14, the Terminal 5 exit, instead of joining the queue that heads towards Terminals 2 and 3.
From there we take the quieter perimeter roads round the airport, with the airfield right next to us and planes so close you could almost wave at the pilots.
It's calmer, it's a lot more scenic, and when the M25 is having one of its days, it's often quicker too. Even regular flyers rarely see Heathrow from this side.
That's our favourite route rather than official directions. If you're driving yourself, follow the airport signs and your sat nav.
Where we'll meet you when you land
A lot of people expect their driver to be waiting right outside arrivals. At Heathrow, only black cabs are allowed to do that. Private hire cars, us included, pick up from marked app and private hire zones in each terminal's short stay car park. It's a short walk, and we'll text you exactly where we are.
At Terminal 3, we're on Level 1 of the Short Stay car park, Row C, by the big yellow pillar that says "App & Private hire pick up, Zone 1". Text us "Ready!" once you've got your bags, and we'll be there.
Terminal 4 is the odd one out
Terminals 2 and 3 sit next to each other in the middle of the airport, and Terminal 5 is out at the western end. Terminal 4 is on its own on the southern side, so if you've gone to the wrong terminal or you're connecting, give yourself extra time to get across.
The Heathrow drop-off charge (and how to avoid an £80 fine)
Every Heathrow terminal now charges £7 a visit to drop someone off at the forecourt. We checked the sign at Terminal 4 ourselves in November 2026.
There's no barrier: cameras read your number plate, and you have until midnight the next day to pay online or by phone. Forget, and it becomes an £80 parking charge. It's very easy to forget when you've just waved someone off at 5am.
When you travel with us, the drop-off charge is already in your fixed fare. For Gatwick's charges too, see our airport drop-off charges guide, and if you're weighing up driving yourself, parking or a transfer? does the maths.
Heathrow from the Sussex coast, one fixed price
Whichever terminal you're flying from, it's one fixed price, the same at 4am as 4pm. Worthing to Heathrow is £120, and so are Brighton to Heathrow and Hove to Heathrow. We also run from Shoreham, Lancing, Littlehampton (£130), Rustington, Angmering, Ferring, Findon and Steyning.
We follow your flight, carry every bag and wait for you when you land. Travelling with older parents? Airlink Assist walks them in and hands them over to the airport's special assistance team. Flying for work? Have a look at business accounts.
Questions we get asked
Which terminal is British Airways at Heathrow?
Mostly Terminal 5, but not always. Since 29 March 2026, some BA long-haul flights, including Denver, Phoenix and Bermuda, go from Terminal 3, so check your booking.
Which terminal is Virgin Atlantic at Heathrow?
Terminal 3, the same as Delta, American Airlines and Emirates.
Which terminal is Qatar Airways at Heathrow?
Terminal 4, along with Etihad, Air France and KLM.
Is there a Terminal 1 at Heathrow?
Not any more. Terminal 1 closed in 2015, so Heathrow now has Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.
My ticket shows two airlines. Which terminal do I go to?
Go by the airline actually flying the plane. Your booking will say "operated by", and that airline's terminal is the one you need.
How much is the Heathrow drop-off charge?
£7 per visit at the terminal forecourts (we checked the sign at Terminal 4 in November 2026). Pay it by midnight the day after or it turns into an £80 parking charge. If you travel with us, it's already included in your fare.
Can private hire cars pick up outside Heathrow arrivals?
No, only black cabs can. Private hire cars collect from marked pick-up zones in each terminal's short stay car park. At Terminal 3 that's Level 1, Row C, by the yellow Zone 1 pillar.
We last checked this in November 2026. Terminals and charges do change, so it's always worth confirming with your airline and Heathrow before you travel. More from us: Gatwick North or South? · Special assistance · Lounges: worth it? · When to leave · Reviews · All our guides