UK. As Christmas approaches, Heathrow has highlighted the substantially refreshed range of shops, restaurants and services on offer at the UK’s number one airport.
Heathrow said it is preparing for an uplift in passengers flying home for Christmas for family reunions they missed last year due to lockdowns.
The airport predicted that over two million passengers will travel through Heathrow this festive season.
Heathrow’s research also shows that travellers are spending an extra hour on average at the airport in comparison to pre-pandemic times, giving them more time to make purchases and eat and drink in the terminals.
Heathrow Retail and Property Director Fraser Brown said: “After social lives were placed on hold for 20 months, we are excited to welcome more passengers this festive season so they can feel joy in overdue reunions with their loved ones.
“Throughout this year, we’ve been working hard to give travellers a refreshed offering and experience at Heathrow and we hope they can relax and make use of some of the new brands and services we have to offer.”
For passengers who have not been inside Heathrow recently, here are ten new things they can expect to see this Christmas.
Heathrow Reserve and Collect: A new, expanded click & collect service will commence in Terminal 5 this week, giving passengers the opportunity to collect products from current world-class brands on offer in the terminals, as well as new brands not usually available at the airport.
Travellers can make their purchases via Heathrow’s online shopping platform and conveniently collect their items after they’re through security or buy items at the Terminal 5 collection desk.
Aspinal of London is the first brand to participate in the service and will be offering reduced prices over the Christmas period. More brands will follow soon.
Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen: Local Surrey-based brewer and gin distiller Big Smoke opened its first airport location earlier this year in Terminal 2 airside. The food menu includes pub classics, burgers, meat sharing platters and brisket.
The taphouse also offers a range of craft beers, cider and gin produced at its brewery just eight miles from the airport. Several screens show live sports, while the venue offers views over the runway.
EL&N London: Dubbed the ‘most Instagrammable café in the world’, this café brand opened its first airport location at Heathrow Terminal 3 earlier this month.
Travellers can choose from a full food and drinks menu in a vibrant setting. The brightly coloured café also offers passengers a selection of onboard meal boxes and pink merchandise to take with them when boarding their flights.
Kanishka Kitchen: This fine dining Indian restaurant, run by Michelin-star chef Atul Kochhar, opened last week at Terminal 5 landside. Catering for all dietary requirements, it serves a wide selection of Indian dishes.
Shan Shui: This new Southeast Asian restaurant is set to open its doors in Terminal 2 in December. Heathrow passengers can enjoy speedy and delicious ‘10-minute meals’ while taking in panoramic views of the runway.
Food takeaway service via the app: Heathrow now offers passengers a food and drinks pre-order service which is accessible on their mobiles via the airport’s app. It allows travellers to pre-order, check turnaround time and collect from a dedicated collection point.
JD Sports: Known as the ‘King of Trainers’, UK retailer JD Sports arrived at Terminal 2 in October. Passengers will find the latest trainers, sportswear and accessories in the store.
Chanel N°5 Spaceship Pop-up: To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Chanel N°5 fragrance, an eye-catching ‘spaceship’ pop-up was unveiled in the departures lounge at Terminal 5 earlier this month. Read our on location report about this spectacular opening here.
It invites travellers to discover N°5 through an immersive treasure hunt, complete with prizes to be won. An augmented reality digital screen also enables clients to virtually try on products, with the pop-up being the only travel retail location to sell Chanel’s advent calendar.
American Express Centurion Lounge: American Express opened its first Centurion Lounge in Europe at Heathrow T3 in October, part of its signature airport lounge programme.
Chef Assaf Granit of Coal Office in London serves as the Executive Chef. The menu ties back to London’s rich multicultural heritage through signature dishes from his restaurants across the globe.
Paco Rabanne experiential concept: Paco Rabanne’s latest fragrance, Phantom, has its own experiential activation in the island location at Terminal 2 departures.
This is a travel exclusive which gives passengers a fun option to dance with virtual robots and experience the magic of travel once again.
Heathrow has also recently launched Heathrow Highlights , an online guide to the best shopping and food & beverage options at the airport this Christmas.
