Cheapflights.co.uk sets the scene for T5 liftoff

Terminal 5 is not just about catching an aeroplane. Heathrow’s new airline hub, which opens in March, promises the ultimate shopping and flying experience. The complex – which covers an area the size of 50 football pitches – will be jam packed with some of the best restaurants and retail outlets in Europe.

Travellers are expected to turn up several hours before their flights to enjoy the experience. Just getting around will be challenging.

Cheapflights.co.uk – the UK’s largest flight price comparison web site – has joined in the excitement and brings a sneak preview of some of the highlights on offer.

“Terminal 5 promises to be the most exciting launch of the year,” says Francesca Ecsery, general manager of Cheapflights.co.uk. “I have travelled all over the world and visited many different airports – having had a sneak preview of Heathrow’s new terminal; I can definitely say it is really something special.”

“We thought it would be a great time to enter into the spirit of things in the countdown to the big day by giving travellers the ten top tips to Terminal 5,” she says.

1. In an increasingly health conscious world, Terminal 5 will be the first UK airport not to offer fast food, so McDonalds and Burger King have been stricken from the menu in favour of the likes of Gordon Ramsay.

2. Visual delights include Nokia-sponsored digital image screens covering the air conditioning vents, displaying butterflies flying over them.

3. For the duty free shopaholic, this terminal is made for your comfort with plans to include a second check-in service allowing passengers to store or check in large items bought from Harrods, HMV, Dixons and the like.

4. Speaking of shopaholics, Terminal 5 is a shopper’s dream comprising Tiffany, Bulgari, Gucci, Mulbery, Kurt Geiger, Links of London, Prada, Ted Baker, PC World, JD Sports and the usual suspects like WHSmith, Boots, and World of Duty.

5. Food lovers can quench their taste buds with Krispy Kreme, Giraffe, Itsu, Wagamama, M&S Simply Food, Carluccio’s and Weatherspoon’s bar.

6. Eligible travellers can head to the lounges where it is said they can enjoy cinemas and bedrooms.

7. Travellers who have access to the lounge and like to indulge in some pampering are invited to visit the Elemis Travel Spa.

8. And first class travellers have access to the exclusive Galleries FIRST consisting of a champagne bar, deli, terrace views, internet, and showers.

9. Fuss free travellers who enjoy online check-in and seat selection can make use of state-of-the-art baggage management systems with the Fast Bag Drop option.

10. Floor to ceiling windows provide a truly majestic experience with panoramic views all around.

The grand opening of Terminal 5 is set to take place on March 28, 2008 where 45,000 people are expected to step through its doors with annual visitors estimated at an astounding 30 million.

Heathrow has always been one of the world’s most sophisticated airports and its new terminal is no different. If anything, the amenities it has to offer have stepped up standards by several notches.