How-to · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Heathrow and Gatwick terminals: which airline flies from where (2026)
Why the terminal matters for a car journey
Getting the terminal wrong is one of the most common reasons travellers arrive late or flustered. At Heathrow, Terminals 2 and 3 share a central area reached through the airport tunnel, Terminal 4 sits on the south side of the airfield and Terminal 5 is at the western end, closest to the M25. They are several minutes apart by road and a driver cannot simply hop between forecourts. At Gatwick, cars cannot cross between the North and South Terminal forecourts at all, so a drop-off at the wrong building means a shuttle ride with your bags.
A good chauffeur will ask for your flight number, check the terminal against it and set the satnav for the correct forecourt or car park. It still pays to check yourself, especially if you booked through a travel agent or are flying on a codeshare.
Heathrow: airlines by terminal
| Terminal | Main airlines and alliances (typical 2026 allocation) | Road access from south-west London |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | Star Alliance, including Lufthansa, United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA and Swiss | Via the central tunnel from the A4 and M4 spur |
| Terminal 3 | Virgin Atlantic and many oneworld and long-haul carriers, including American, Cathay Pacific and Qantas | Via the central tunnel, next to Terminal 2 |
| Terminal 4 | SkyTeam and Gulf carriers, including Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Korean Air | From the Southern Perimeter Road, often the quickest from Wimbledon |
| Terminal 5 | British Airways (most flights) and Iberia | From M25 junction 14 or the A3044 |
This is a guide only. Some airlines split flights between terminals, particularly British Airways, which runs a small number of services from Terminal 3, and allocations change from season to season.
Gatwick: North or South?
Gatwick has two terminals linked by a free passenger shuttle that takes a few minutes. easyJet has consolidated its flights into the North Terminal, while British Airways short-haul and a wide range of leisure, charter and long-haul carriers use the South. Allocations at Gatwick tend to be more fluid than at Heathrow, with new airlines arriving each summer, so check your terminal on the airline app the day before you fly.
- Check the terminal shown on your booking confirmation and the airline app
- If in doubt, the airport's own website lists terminals by airline
- Tell your chauffeur the flight number, not just the airline
- Allow a few extra minutes if you are connecting from a different terminal
Moving between terminals
If you end up at the wrong Heathrow terminal, the free travel zone lets you ride the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line between Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 at no charge. Terminals 2 and 3 are also linked on foot through underground walkways, which take around ten to fifteen minutes. At Gatwick, use the inter-terminal shuttle, which runs frequently through the day.
For arrivals, the terminal also decides where your driver will park and meet you. Each terminal has its own short-stay car park and arrivals hall, and a driver waiting at the wrong one cannot reach you quickly. This is why flight details matter as much as times.
Drop-off charges at each terminal
Every Heathrow terminal charges for forecourt drop-offs, and so does Gatwick. The charge applies to private hire cars as well as private cars, so check whether it is included in your fixed quote.
| Airport | Forecourt drop-off charge (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow, all terminals | £7 per visit | Cameras enforce it, unpaid charges lead to a penalty |
| Gatwick, North and South | £10 for up to 10 minutes | Extra charged per minute beyond that |
| London City | £8 per entry | Small forecourt, so be ready to step out promptly |
Quick checklist before an airport run
- Confirm the terminal on the airline app the day before
- Send your chauffeur the flight number and the number of bags
- Have passports and boarding passes in hand luggage, not the boot
- Allow about two hours before short-haul flights and three before long-haul
- Note the driver's contact number in case of a terminal change
Codeshares and connecting flights
Codeshare flights are the main cause of terminal confusion. A ticket sold by one airline may be flown by a partner from a completely different terminal. For example, a flight booked through a Star Alliance airline might be operated by a partner that still uses Terminal 2, while a oneworld booking could depart from Terminal 3 or Terminal 5 depending on which carrier actually flies the aircraft.
The rule is simple: the terminal is decided by the operating airline, not the one whose name is on your booking. Your booking confirmation or app will usually say operated by, followed by the carrier's name. Give your chauffeur that flight number rather than the marketing one if both are shown.
- Look for the words operated by on your itinerary
- Check the operating carrier's terminal, not the booking airline's
- For self-transfer connections between Heathrow and Gatwick, allow at least three to four hours and book a car between the two airports in advance
- If arriving on one airline and leaving on another, check both terminals before you travel
Arriving passengers should also remember that bags can take a long time to reach the carousel at busy terminals in the morning peak. A driver tracking your flight will allow for this, but let them know if you have oversized items to collect from a separate belt.
Frequently asked questions
Which Heathrow terminal is closest to Wimbledon?
Terminal 4 is usually the quickest to reach from Wimbledon because it is approached from the south side of the airport via the Southern Perimeter Road. Terminals 2 and 3 are reached through the central tunnel, and Terminal 5 via the M25 or the A3044. In practice the difference is often only five to ten minutes, and traffic matters far more than the terminal you are heading to.
Does British Airways only fly from Terminal 5?
Most British Airways flights from Heathrow use Terminal 5, but a small number operate from Terminal 3, and codeshare flights booked through British Airways may be operated by a partner airline from another terminal. Always check the terminal on your booking or boarding pass rather than assuming Terminal 5, and give your chauffeur the flight number so they can check it too.
What happens if I am dropped at the wrong Gatwick terminal?
Cars cannot drive between the Gatwick forecourts, so the simplest fix is to take the free inter-terminal shuttle, which runs every few minutes and takes only a short time. Allow ten to fifteen minutes in total with luggage. To avoid it, confirm whether your airline uses the North or South Terminal the day before you fly and tell your chauffeur.
Heathrow Gatwick terminals airport transfers
