Time travel Twenty-five years of speedy airport transfers
Heathrow Express is celebrating 25 years of transporting passengers to the UK’S biggest airport.
Since its launch in June 1998, more than 100 million travellers have taken the 15-minute journey from London Paddington to Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3, with an extra six minutes to Terminal 5, and a free transfer available to Terminal 4.
On its 150 services per day, the non-subsidised private rail company carries an average of 17,000 passengers along with their 30,000 suitcases.
Newly released data reveals that demand for train journeys to the airport has soared post-pandemic, with 2022 seeing a 282% increase in passengers compared to 2021. June 6 was the busiest day of travel last year as the nation celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend.
Over the years the service has pioneered many technical innovations. It was the first train company to launch e-ticketing, the first in the UK to offer a ticket app and made London Paddington the first UK station to carry flight information display screens. Onboard, travellers can enjoy free wi-fi and superfast 4G, even in the tunnels at Heathrow.
The service is also an eco-friendly way to travel. Since its launch, it has saved 204 million kg of carbon emissions.
To mark 25 years of travel, it has launched a series of short films entitled The Luggage Diaries, which celebrates its diverse passengers with their valuable and often unique cargo.
These include a world-renowned cellist who has toured with Madonna, a horologist who owns over 10 watches, and a Newquay-based surfer who travels the world in search of her next big wave.
Daniel Edwards, business lead at Heathrow Express, said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate the hundreds of millions of passengers we’ve transported since launch, and the interesting cargo they often bring with them.
“Heathrow Express’s spacious train carriages allow passengers to instantly relax – and if they need help, there are customer service colleagues onboard to assist.”
heathrowexpress.com