Which Heathrow Terminal? A Complete 2026 Guide for Passengers from Tunbridge Wells
One of the most common questions we get from passengers: “I’m flying with [airline] — which terminal do I go to?” It sounds simple, but Heathrow’s five-terminal layout and British Airways’ habit of operating from both T3 and T5 (and occasionally T4) means it genuinely trips people up.
Here’s a complete, practical guide — correct as of 2026. Always double-check your specific booking confirmation or boarding pass, since airlines do occasionally change terminals.
Terminal 2 — The Queen’s Terminal (Star Alliance)
Terminal 2 is the home of Star Alliance carriers. Route from TW: A21 → M25 Junction 15 (central Heathrow). Journey time from Tunbridge Wells: 65–80 minutes in normal conditions.
Main airlines at T2: Lufthansa, United Airlines, Swiss International, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, ANA (All Nippon), Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air China, Aer Lingus, SAS, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egypt Air.
Terminal 3 — Long-Haul Non-BA (oneworld + independents)
Terminal 3 handles oneworld carriers that aren’t British Airways, plus several major independents. Route from TW: A21 → M25 Junction 15. Same access as T2 — they’re adjacent on the central terminal area.
Main airlines at T3: Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, American Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Finnair, Iberia (some services — check your ticket), Malaysia Airlines (some routes), SriLankan Airlines.
Terminal 4 — Some BA Long-Haul + Malaysia Airlines
Terminal 4 is Heathrow’s southernmost terminal, accessed via the M25 at Junction 14A (slightly different from T5’s J14). Journey time from Tunbridge Wells is similar to T5 — 65–80 minutes.
Main airlines at T4: Some British Airways long-haul routes, Malaysia Airlines (main hub at T4), Comair, and some charter operations.
Terminal 5 — British Airways & Iberia (Main Hub)
Terminal 5 is BA’s home terminal and the largest single terminal building in the UK. Route from TW: A21 → M25 Junction 14 (the southwesternmost Heathrow junction). Journey time: 65–80 minutes.
Main airlines at T5: British Airways (majority of flights), Iberia (some flights), Finnair (some codeshare flights).
T5 has three buildings: T5A (the main building), T5B, and T5C (connected by an internal rail shuttle). Your boarding pass will specify T5 but may not specify the sub-terminal — this matters for walking time. T5B and T5C are reached by a short shuttle from T5A, adding 10–15 minutes. For very tight connections, it’s worth checking which building your gate is in.
Terminal 5 Check-In Times Worth Knowing
For early morning T5 departures (the 6am–8am BA wave), the check-in queue can build quickly. The T5 check-in hall opens around 4am for the first departures. For a 6am flight, arriving by 4am is comfortable — arriving at 4:30am is cutting it for some long-haul bag-check queues.
Quick Reference Table
| Terminal | M25 Junction | Key Airlines | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| T2 | J15 | Lufthansa, United, Swiss, Singapore, Air Canada, Turkish | Star Alliance hub |
| T3 | J15 | Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Emirates, American, Qantas, Cathay, JAL | Adjacent to T2 |
| T4 | J14A | Some BA long-haul, Malaysia Airlines | Check boarding pass if flying BA |
| T5 | J14 | British Airways (most flights), Iberia | 3 sub-terminals — T5B/C need shuttle |
How to Find Your Terminal
The definitive answer is always your boarding pass. If you haven’t checked in yet, the Heathrow website has an airline–terminal lookup at heathrow.com that’s kept current. If you’re still not sure, call the airline directly — terminal assignments occasionally change and no third-party source (including this guide) is as reliable as your actual boarding pass.
When you book with C Line Cars, tell us your airline and flight number. We’ll confirm the correct terminal drop-off point and make sure your driver knows exactly where to go.
Not sure which terminal? Tell us your flight number when you call.
We confirm the right terminal drop-off before every airport run.