Flight radar Heathrow Airport
The radar above is centred on London Heathrow (LHR), the busiest airport in the UK. Click any aircraft to see its flight number, route and altitude. With an aircraft movement roughly every minute at peak times, Heathrow’s radar picture is rarely quiet.
Heathrow in short
Heathrow lies about 15 miles west of central London and operates two parallel runways and four passenger terminals: Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. It is the home hub of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic and handles more international passengers than any other airport in Europe. Long-haul heavies dominate here: A380s, 777s, 787s and A350s from carriers across the globe.
Watching Heathrow traffic on the radar
Heathrow alternates its runways for landing and take-off during the day. Depending on the wind, arrivals approach over central London from the east or over Windsor from the west. On the radar you can see the neat queue of inbound aircraft lined up on final approach, often stretching back many miles. It is one of the most fascinating airports in the world to watch live.
History
Heathrow opened for civil aviation in 1946 on the site of a wartime airfield and grew into the UK’s principal gateway. Terminal 5 opened in 2008 and Terminal 2, “The Queen’s Terminal”, reopened in 2014. Plans for a third runway have been debated for decades.
Frequently asked questions
Which airlines use which terminal? British Airways operates mainly from Terminal 5, Virgin Atlantic and Delta from Terminal 3; other carriers are spread across Terminals 2, 3 and 4.
Where can I spot planes? Popular viewing spots lie around Myrtle Avenue and the Renaissance Hotel area.
How do I track a specific Heathrow flight? Find it on the arrivals or departures board and click the flight number, or search it on the radar.