Many people have enquired about what the spotting facilities are like in the new Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport.
I’ve compiled the following information from reports received:
Car Parks
The short stay car parks have views over runway 09L/R arrivals from the upper floors.
Landside
Costa Coffee on the north side of the terminal has windows overlooking the threshold of runway 09L
A view of runway 09R is possible from the south side of the terminal.
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Airside
Once airside you can freely move between piers.
The best views can be had at gate A7 over the northern runway.
Gate A18 has views of the cargo area and runway 09R threshold.
Pier B has some acceptable views, but these are limited by Pier C is built.
As always, please post your comments and reviews of travelling through Terminal 5. It is new to Heathrow, so information is needed on good spots and experiences with your binoculars!
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3 comments
Went to T5 last friday – to Caffe Nero in the north of the terminal building (check-in level) . From there and the nearby VIP parking area, you have a fantastic view over RWY 09L/27R. The time I was there, we had 27R departures – big aircraft like 747 or A380 would fly by right before your eyes.
At the VIP car park, there is a 2m high fence, dont know if you are allowed to bring a latter – if so, this is a great place to watch or spot planes on take-off
I did a photo shoot from the departures level near the short term car parking at LHR in January from T5 for 09L arrivals, was there with a German spotter, but an over-zealous BAA/BCP car park security/attendant turfed us out, although i managed to hide around a corner a bit later on inside the car park entrance road which was not in use at the time. Never had a problem with the cops or security during this time. The cops have however moved larger groups of spotters on at the weekends….you have to be lucky!
Chris
Hi
I am keen to interview a plane spotter about what this is all about. If anyone in and around London would like to explain this to me as I am doing a story on plane spotters getting arrested in India.