British Airways Opening The “First Wing” At Heathrow T5

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British Airways has revealed details of an upgrade it is introducing to the First Class check-in experience at Heathrow Terminal 5. From April 2017 British Airways First Class passengers and OneWorld Emerald card holders will have access to what the airline is calling a new “First Wing” which should make the whole check-in process feel a little more “premium”.

British Airways’ First Wing At Heathrow T5

British Airways First Class Check-in Heathrow T5

As things stand the British Airways First Class check-in is situated at the south end of Terminal 5 and, while I’ve never had any issues with the check-in process there, passengers still have to pass through the regular priority security lanes next to First Class check-in which are often crowded.

Not for much longer.

The First Wing will be located next to the existing First Class check-in area and, according to British Airways, will “create an enhanced private check-in zone where customers will be guided to two new dedicated security lanes, designed to speed up the process of passing through the airport.”

British Airways “First Wing” at Heathrow T5

That’s fantastic….but it gets even better:

Once through security, customers will have dedicated access to British Airways’ Galleries First lounge and through to the airline’s flagship Concorde Room, where they can relax before their flight, making the journey seamless for those premium customers.

So not only do First Class and OneWorld Emerald passengers get their own security lines (notice that’s plural) but they will also now have a dedicated walkway from check-in to the lounges – no more having to negotiate the crowds mingling in duty free.

British Airways “First Wing” at Heathrow T5

I love this! Finally British Airways comes up with something truly “premium”.

British Airways “First Wing” at Heathrow T5

In the past it was just passengers with access to the Concorde Room who could avoid the maze of duty free shopping by using the non-so-secret door immediately on the right as you pass through security (south)…but now a lot more passengers get the same treatment.

The reason why this was never done in the past is because the owners of Terminal 5 want as many people as possible walking through duty free and spending their money – a walkway that allows passengers to bypass all of that really isn’t in their best interest.

Now, however, British Airways say that they’ve struck a deal with Heathrow airport as part of a plan to improve fast track entry in T5 and that’s what’s allowing the First Wing to be created (presumably British Airways is compensating the airport to some degree for any loss of earnings).

Bottom Line

Finally some good news out of British Airways.

I love this idea. I like anything that cut down on the time I waste in airport lines and that helps me avoid taking ridiculously circuitous routes to the lounges. It’s rare for me to ever need anything from Heathrow duty free so I’m going to love bypassing all of those crowds and heading directly into the lounge….now I just have to make sure that I somehow keep hold of my OneWorld Emerald status!