London’s Heathrow Airport has launched a six-month trial allowing travelers to pre-book their security slots, to enhance passenger convenience and streamline security processes, offering travelers an extra layer of assurance when embarking on their journeys. Heathrow’s program, named “Heathrow Timeslot,” aims to add peace of mind for passengers, reduce queue times and enhance resource management.
The trial, which commenced on October 3rd, positions Heathrow as one of the first airports in the United Kingdom to offer such a service. Passengers can reserve a designated time slot and entry point to the security search area, simplifying the often-stressful pre-flight process.
Everyone is familiar with airport security, but at Heathrow we’re constantly thinking of innovative ways to boost the safety and streamline the experience for our passengers.
Mark Powell, Operational Planning Director at Heathrow
“This new trial will give passengers that extra added bit of certainty and reassurance ahead of their journey and we think it will be particularly popular for those with families or nervous travelers who may want a bit more confidence in their journeys”, said Mark Powell, Operational Planning Director at Heathrow.
The service is entirely free and accessible through Heathrow’s website, but slots are subject to availability. Travelers are advised to allocate a minimum of 45 minutes before their scheduled departure time for the security procedure, even if they’ve pre-booked a slot. Furthermore, the convenience extends to group bookings, accommodating up to five individuals at once.
Terminal 3 will serve as the trial ground for the first six months, with the program initially catering to passengers flying with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic. The airport intends to evaluate the trial’s outcomes and assess the potential extension or roll-out to other terminals. “We look forward to seeing the data come in to give us some learnings on how we can roll this out more widely across Heathrow”, Powell added.
