Warning! Terminal 5 start up hassles
The new Heathrow Terminal 5 has just opened - but while architectural correspondents from the major newspapers were impressed when they were shown round a few weeks ago, passengers’ experiences have been much less impressive.
Problems with baggage handling have extended check-in lines, caused British Airways to cancel nearly 70 flights, and caused incoming passengers long waits to get their checked baggage back. Checking of baggage was suspended for some time, too.
In fact this isn’t the first time Heathrow has been in the news with baggage problems. Heathrow terminal 4 also had baggage problems in February this year when the computer system for baggage handling shut down - causing economy passengers to be told they could catch their flight only if they had no check-in baggage.
Back in 2006, British Airways (which has exclusive use of T5 at Heathrow) topped the league of major European airlines for losing its passengers’ baggage, with 23 items lost per 1,000 passengers, against an average of 15.7. (Bags are deemed lost after they’ve been missing for 21 days.)
So my feeling is that I’d be happier flying with another airline and passing up the delights of T5 - at least for the next couple of months.
Latest: (29 March) - BA has really scored an own goal with this one. Apparently having bumped passengers off flights, they then misinformed them about what level of compensation was payable - in particular, refusing to pay more than £100 for hotel accommodation for passengers delayed overnight. The EU is now looking into whether BA has broken European Union rules on passenger compensation.
Memo to BA’s chief executive; when you’re in a hole, stop digging.
Tags: airlines, british airways, heathrow, heathrow airportRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Travel Tips - General Information
2 opinions for Warning! Terminal 5 start up hassles
The Toronto Traveler
Mar 28, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever had a positive Heathrow experience, although admittedly I’ve only been through there two or three times, none of which were anytime recently.
beth in greensboro
Mar 29, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I’m not flying BA, but I’m watching the whole thing closely as I’m flying in on the 7th via AA’s new route… combined with the tube strike, it’s looking like it’s going to be a “fun” vacation.
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