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A NEW era in air travel for people travelling from Bahrain to London is just a few weeks away thanks to British Airways' exclusive new home at Heathrow - the £4.3 billion state-of-the-art Terminal 5.
Every aspect of flying has been considered to make the customer experience smooth, simple and stress free, the airline promises.
That is a huge change from the horrors that travellers have encountered in recent years at the airport of anxiety. Terminal 5, the airline says, is all about "putting the passenger first".
British Airways will move into its new home on March 27. Utilising the latest in design and technology, the terminal aims to put customers in control of their own travel, from the technology employed both before and during the flight experience to the flexible layout of the building.
Instead of endless queuing British Airways aims to give customers back their time to spend as they choose - such as relaxing, eating, shopping or working.
It is estimated that around 80 per cent of all passengers departing via Terminal 5 will check in online or at one of the 96 check-in kiosks within the departures hall and the vast majority won't encounter any queues in the process.
Hold luggage can be dropped off at one of over 100 desks, which all link directly into a state-of-the-art baggage system capable of handling high volumes of luggage at unprecedented speeds. In fact, the baggage system was the first part of the building to be developed and includes 18km of belts and tracks capable of processing 12,000 bags per hour.
Once past the 'fast bag drop' desks, travellers will make their way through security and then enter the retail area on their way towards the aircraft gates.
The retail facilities aim to "redefine airport shopping to offer the ultimate in retail therapy" and the 144 stores and restaurants spread across 200,000sq ft of retail area should ensure an unsurpassed shopping and dining experience.
A number of renowned retail and eating out names will be in Terminal 5 including Gordon Ramsey, Harrods, Paul Smith, Tiffany, Mulberry, Hughes and Hughes, Mappin & Webb, Links, Smythson, Caviar House & Prunier and Cafe Amato, plus Starbucks.
And, to make the whole experience even easier, large 'beacons' will be found throughout the terminal to serve as orientation landmarks, along with countless information screens.
Members of First, Club World, Club Europe, Gold and Silver Executive Club, will also be able to take advantage of British Airways lounges, which will be collectively known as 'galleries'.
There will be six within the new terminal: The Concorde Room, The First class lounge, three Club Lounges and an Arrivals Lounge.
The Concorde Room accommodates up to 156 of the airline's First Class customers and specially-invited guests.
The 542-seat Galleries First Lounge offers First and Gold Executive Club members "unparalleled luxury" at The Gold Bar, which is covered in gold leaf and lit by a Swarovski crystal chandelier.
For Club World, Club Europe, Gold and Silver Executive Club members, The Galleries Club Lounge offers 830 seats.
There are also Galleries Club Lounges at the northern end of the terminal that will be used by short-haul and domestic customers, and one in a satellite building specifically designed for the long-haul passenger.
For pre-flight pampering, British Airways has teamed up with leading skincare expert Elemis to offer spa treatments. Elemis Travel Spas are located in the southern Galleries Lounge Pavilion, the Galleries Arrivals Lounge and the Galleries Club Lounge in the satellite building.
The spas are open to first class and Club World customers or Gold Executive Club members travelling on long-haul flights and all treatments are complimentary. Customers can choose to be revived or relaxed by selecting from a range of 15-minute treatments, specially created for British Airways.
Inbound passengers at Terminal 5 arrivals can rest assured that they haven't been forgotten. The Galleries Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 5, Concourse A, has 156 seats and includes a wealth of features, such as a full restaurant, breakfast bar, work and entertainment facilities, a hydrotherapy area with 94 shower rooms, a suit pressing service, an Elemis Travel Spa and more.
In line with British Airways environmental policy, customers will be encouraged, where possible, to take public transport to Terminal 5. A plaza, which is landscaped with trees, fountains, artworks and seating areas, hosts the main rail and underground links. For those arriving or departing by car, a new access road has been built offering direct access to the M25.
The terminal will be capable of handling 30 million customers a year. British Airways has been flying to Bahrain for 75 years and currently operates one flight a day from Bahrain International Airport - to London Heathrow.
