“My warmest congratulations go to everyone who has worked on this highly impressive building,” said the Queen as she opened Terminal 5 last Friday. But really: What does she have to compare it to? Her Highness hasn't visited a civilian airport since she opened Heathrow's first terminal in 1955. That said, after all the bad press London's main airport has (deservedly) endured, the new terminal does seem impressive. In fact, with more than 6,000 square metres of shops and restaurants – you can even have breakfast at Tiffany's – you might even want some time on that BA layover. Herewith, the key points of interest.
TOP SHOP The BAA has announced that it will be brutal in enforcing the 35-minute rule – anyone arriving even 34 minutes before a flight will be shunted to the next one. Fine, then. We'll come early and kick around the three-storey, 1,000-plus-square-metre Harrods department store: Its buyers have shrewdly passed over the tartan-boxed shortbreads and stuffed teddies in favour of beloved Euro brands Paul and Joe, Missoni and Alexander McQueen. Not in the mood to rummage? There's also a personal shopper on hand.
TOP EATS Critics have trashed Gordon Ramsay's recent venture in New York and derided his penchant for banging out a new restaurant just about every year in London. But any money says the sourpusses would jump at the chance for some true Ramsay chow if only they could afford it. And voila: a democratically priced Ramsay restaurant with a stellar view across the runway from the terminal's mezzanine. Gordon Ramsay Plane Food benefits from a design by Bentel & Bentel (of New York's Gramercy Tavern) that's been described as “aerodynamic,” and a comfort-food menu based on the chef's Boxwood Café in Knightsbridge (read: macaroni gratin, butternut squash risotto and lots of rare roast beef). It might also profit from that special Ramsay hubris. He is reportedly angling for another Michelin star here.
TOP SLEEPOVER If your melatonin levels aren't what they used to be, you won't want to face your connection to Johannesburg before a nice long kip. For this, you have two options: You can bed down in one of the 9,000 Foster-designed red leather lounge chairs in the cavernous terminal; or, if you're unceremoniously ejected by security (a likely scenario), head for the Sofitel launching at T5 next month. The interiors were designed by the same firm that did the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, so you won't suffer the aesthetic horrors of a HoJo. The rooms have MyBeds – intelligent mattresses that will definitely not make you feel like you're on a 747. And when you're wired at 3 a.m.? You can stagger over to the Antarctica-themed lobby, which has a massive cascading ice fountain.
TOP SERVICE The BAA anticipates (but stops short of actually guaranteeing) five-minute line-ups at their 96 self-service kiosks and 140 customer service desks. And they'll make it easier for customers to use online check-in and quick bag drop-off: There will be more staff loitering about to help befuddled families of 12 laden with duffels – and fewer computer meltdowns. Access to the departure lounges is also located right behind check-in, so you won't have to double back through the hordes to get there.
TOP TIME-WASTER Two words: free massage. BA first class and Club World members can get one at any of the three Elemis Travel Spas in the terminal. The menu is the stuff of pure bliss – “stress away shoulder to scalp massage,” “hot lime compress foot cleanse,” “exotic hand and arm re-energiser.” You get the picture. Barring a gold club membership, though, there's always the Paul Smith “Globe” emporium, featuring rare books, antiques, clothes and virtual “garden” views through its French window.
Ellen Himelfarb
