Successful Start to Operations at New Heathrow Terminal 2 - 04 June, 2014

Media update from Heathrow, United Airlines and Star Alliance

LONDON, June 4th, 2014 / 12.40 BST Update 1 – Over 4,000 passengers experienced the new purpose-built Terminal 2 in Heathrow in its first eight hours of operation, marking a smooth start to operations in the facility that will house all 23 Star Alliance airlines serving the major UK hub.

By 12.40 local UK time, more than 1,800 departing passengers had travelled through Terminal 2 and more than 2,400 passengers had flown in to the new terminal. 2,000 bags were checked in and 2,300 delivered to the baggage claim belt for collection.

"We have experienced a good start to the day in this brand new facility,” said Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab. "We are pleased to see the delighted faces of customers enjoying this new travel experience."

Star Alliance member carrier United Airlines was the first airline to move in to the new facility and was scheduled to operate a total of 34 flight arrivals and departures at Terminal 2 today. These link Heathrow with six destinations in the United States: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C./Dulles.

The other 22 Star Alliance airlines operating Heathrow will move into Terminal 2 over the next six months: the first time all member airlines will be collocated at the airport.

The Star Alliance airlines serving Heathrow are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca*, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, and United. Together they operate over 121 flights per day to 45 destinations in 25 countries. Each of these flights acts as a gateway to the full Alliance network of more than 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries.

*Note: Avianca will commence service between Bogota and London-Heathrow in July 2014.

Footage and photos can be found at: mediacentre.heathrowairport.com

About Star Alliance:

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Air India has been announced as a future member airline with Avianca Brasil to join under the existing Avianca membership. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries.