Travel Agent - August 20, 2007 - (Page 27)

What to Expect “We estimate that it will take the majority of our passengers under 15 minutes to check in and get through to the departure lounge and even less time for our upper class passengers to get to the Clubhouse,” said Steve Ridgeway, chief executive for Virgin Atlantic. “[This is] in contrast to most of British Airways’ longhaul passengers, who will have a longer journey through the vast T5.” And though that might be a knock against the competition, it is true; T5 promises to be huge, as the entire site—also consisting of 60 aircraft stands, two satellite buildings and a parking garage—is roughly the size of Hyde Park. Designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership, T5 will feature six new lounge areas, retail shops like Harrods, Paul Smith and Tiffany & Co., as well as its own railway station with six platforms: two for Heathrow Express, two for the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line and two built as a future link to AirTrack. British Airways also says that T5’s baggage system is the biggest, singleterminal baggage handling system in Europe. Transfers and late bags will be assigned a priority routing through a separate high-speed baggage system and be delivered directly to the aircraft stand of the departing flight. In the hopes of easing aircraft operations, British Airways has exclusive use of T5 aircraft parking stands. The carrier points out that the terminal also is close to T3, which—in addition to Virgin Atlantic—houses BA’s Oneworld alliance partners Qantas, Iberia and Finnair airlines. T5 makes its official debut next March, though British Airways will begin operating there as a trial run in September. Both Virgin Atlantic and British Airways offer direct service between London Heathrow and major American cities Rendering of British Airways’ outdoor concourse in Terminal 5, currently under construction such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York, so it seems the battle of the terminal buildings will be won based on passenger preference. And even then, only the frequent flier miles may know for sure. August 20, 2007 TravelAgent 27 http://www.amta.com http://www.lot.com http://www.lot.com http://www.amta.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - August 20, 2007

Contents Editor's Letter News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Hot Cruise Ports: 2008 and Beyond Central & South America: Costa Rica’s New Resort Europe: Heathrow Upgrades Hawaii: Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa Caribbean: Westin’s Plans in the D.R. Still on Track Africa: Pacific Delight Tours’ South Africa Itinerary Hotels: West Virginia Icon Gets Makeover Tech Advisor: Search Engine Optimization 101 Spa Luxury Travel Expo Update Advertisers’ Information Classified Marketplace People & Places

Travel Agent - August 20, 2007

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