12 Classic Pictures of London Heathrow in the 1980s

by Matt Falcus
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It’s time to enjoy a bit of nostalgia now as we look back at London Heathrow airport during the 1980s.

By this point the London hub was firmly established as the world’s busiest international airport, and the home base to British Airways. It was also on the route network of most of the world’s long-haul carriers, as well as European airlines.

Aircraft types dominant during the 1980s included the early Boeing 737s and 747s, as well as 727s, 757s, DC-10s, Lockheed TriStars and the Airbus A300 and A310.

During the early 80s, types like the Trident and Caravelle were also common.

B747 SX-OAB London Heathrow OO-SBQ Boeing 737-229 Sobelair G-AWZK British Airways Trident 3B on a 28R take off at London Heathrow

LN-RCA SAS A300B2-320 Airbus taking off on 28L at London Heathrow 9Y-TGJ BWIA Lockheed L-1011-500 TriStar taxies for a 28R take off at London Heathrow G-ATVH Dan Air BAC 1-11 207AJ lining up for a 28L take off at London Heathrow G-ARPD British Airways Trident 1C lining up for a 28L take off at London Heathrow G-BOAF Concorde about to depart on BA171 at London Heathrow

 

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Relive more of the classic eras of aircraft and airlines at Heathrow and all over Europe in our book, Lost Airline Colours of Europe, out now.

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7 comments

Jez September 18, 2018 - 7:27 pm

The pics bring back happy memories of my many day trips from GCI to LHR on Air UK F27’s, F50’s & BAe146’s. How I miss the T2/Queens building viewing areas..

Reply
David September 22, 2018 - 3:04 pm

I too miss the Queen’s building, which in my opinion should have been a listed building. Other airports in Europe and around the world put us to shame. If Zurich, Frankfurt, Munich, Manchester and Dusseldorf etc can have viewing areas why can’t we or do we kowtow to terrorists forever?

Reply
Steve September 23, 2018 - 7:55 pm

The good old days ..then again so were the 60’s and 70’s

Reply
Daniel Stanislaus Martel September 26, 2018 - 9:18 am

Exactly the way I remember it… and in those days, many were talking about the 1960s and 1970s with nostalgic affection 🙂

Thanks, Matt, for this flashback

PS: Wh’ats about future viewing facilities in LHR? There are floating rumours that, once the central area will be reshaped there might again be something.

Reply
Matt Falcus September 26, 2018 - 11:47 am

Thanks Daniel! I haven’t heard anything about new viewing areas, but sincerely hope it’s true!
Matt

Reply
Vicky Johnson May 17, 2019 - 5:28 am

the good old days and the good memories…

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11 Classic Pictures of New York JFK in the 1970s - Airport Spotting April 26, 2021 - 1:39 pm

[…] For more classic pictures, check out our recent article 12 Pictures of Classic Aircraft at London Heathrow in the 1980s. […]

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