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British Airways' new £4.3 billion home - Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 - has been officially opened by Queen Elizabeth.
Built on time and on budget by airport operator BAA, the new terminal will open for business for up to 30 million passengers a year on March 27.
British Airways' Middle East travellers will get their first taste of the new terminal on April 30 - when phase two of the opening takes place with flights transferring from Terminal 4.
The Queen, who has a long association with Heathrow, opened the airport's first passenger terminal, the Europa Building (now called Terminal 2), over half a century ago in 1955.
British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: "Terminal 5 is a fantastic facility and our customers will really enjoy the space, comfort and convenience it offers. We have exclusive use of the terminal and that will allow us to greatly improve the levels of service we can offer. The customer experience at Terminal 5 will rival, if not exceed, that at any airport in the world.
"With the opening of Terminal 5, British Airways and BAA have an opportunity to make air travel, both into and out of the UK, once again a calmer and much more enjoyable experience. We intend to take advantage of that opportunity and can't wait to open the doors to our customers."
BAA chairman Sir Nigel Rudd said: "Terminal 5 marks the start of a new beginning for Heathrow, for BAA and for our millions of passengers. It is, by any standard, a triumph of ambition, commitment and collaboration. It will breathe new life into Heathrow, allowing us to continue our transformation of the rest of the airport, and will put Heathrow and BAA back where they belong - at the leading edge of global travel."
Prior to inaugurating Terminal 5, The Queen, alongside 800 invited guests including senior figures from government, the worldwide aviation industry, business and airport workers, enjoyed a musical finale by a 30-strong choir, led by award winning composer and musician Steve Sidwell.
The bright, airy new terminal, with British Airways as sole airline occupant, is set to help transform the passenger experience at Heathrow.
