Etihad Airways to return to London Heathrow’s Terminal 4

Etihad Airways has confirmed that it will return to Terminal 4 at London Heathrow Airport. 

From 22 June, all of the UAE flag carrier’s flights departing in and out of London Heathrow will operate from Terminal 4. 

A timely return 

Etihad Airways operated from Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport until it was temporarily closed in May 2020 due to the pandemic. The terminal also underwent extensive refurbishment during its two-year closure. During the closure, Etihad Airways operated from Terminals 2 and 3. 

Terminal 4 reopened earlier this week which was welcome news for many as, given the chaos of recent weeks, greater capacity to handle the intense demand will be largely helpful.

Etihad Airways, fellow flag carrier Qatar Airways, and El Al Israel Airlines were affected most by the closure of T4 and all three airlines had to make substantial moves to other terminals to continue operating. 

The three Middle Eastern carriers will be returning to T4 soon. Kenya Airways and Air Astana will also return to Terminal 4 in the next couple of weeks. Qatar Airways was the first of the three to return to the terminal on 14 June.

By July, most airlines are expected to have returned to the terminal, but that is not the case for all airlines that operated from the terminal before its closure. 

Air France and KLM will continue to operate from Heathrow’s Terminal 3, while Aeroflot will not return due to its ban from operating in the UK. 

Jeremy Pollock, Etihad Airways’ manager for the UK and Ireland was thrilled that the Abu Dhabi-based airline was returning to its “true home” at Heathrow:

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are returning to our true home at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 in June. We’ve had a temporary home at Terminals 2 and 3 during the pandemic, but with Terminal 4 opening back up alongside the tube and Heathrow Express, our crew are excited to welcome our guests back at Terminal 4.”

The Etihad Lounge at Terminal 4 will also reopen so their First and Business class passengers, and Etihad Guest Platinum and Gold members can be attended to pre-flight.

Following its return to the newly-refurbished terminal, Etihad will be increasing its daily flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to London Heathrow from four to five throughout the peak summer season. 

Elsewhere, Abu Dhabi International Airport, the home of Etihad Airways, recently reopened its Terminal 2 following a two-year closure induced by the pandemic. 

Will you be travelling from T4 this summer? Let us know in the comments below.