London Heathrow Airport

We were held up going through security and when a bag was side-tracked as being 'suspicious' were forced to wait quite a while as they were 'rotating' - the desk was un-manned for several minutes between 'shifts' and a queue of people was developing. Staff are obviously busy but their surly approach does not make for a comfortable time. Also the body scanner seemed completely out of kilter as it kept on alerting even though I was wearing cotton underclothes and cotton on top - no metal at all. They suggested that my glasses were the problem but they are plastic frames. The staff person on decided then to re-calibrate it but it was totally unnecessary to be exposed to that as there was no good reason for it. We also noticed a lack of facilities - after a long day leading up to our arrival at the airport we were surprised and disappointed to find that there are no shower or washing facilities available - only the normal toilets which are not suitable for the purpose.

LHR is a national disgrace. Travelled to T1 from Marseille on several Sunday evenings this year. Almost every arrival has been poor including baggage delay of 30 minutes because of the 'arrival of several aircraft ' (there's a surprise) stranded on the plane for over 30 minutes because there were no steps no gate available. On most occasions arrival involves disembarking into the terminal and then back out again and on to a bus. Is this really how an international airport should be run? This is not a four star airport - just look at the reviews.

Our LOT flight ex-WAW landed punctually and taxied to the gate at 21.40 but LHR ground staff did not appear for fully 15 minutes. The exasperated flight attendant said this was typical. Once let off the plane we found ourselves in a deserted T2 but were routed to T1 for passport control and baggage reclaim - a walk of a further 15+ minutes. To reinforce the joy of the BAA experience at LHR I then paid the extortionate GBP 23 for a one-way Heathrow Express ticket to Paddington.

Was travelling back to Singapore after a 2 week holiday in UK and Paris. We took 5 flights to and from T5 during our holiday. This last one was our 6th flight. We were all very tired when we got to the airport. We arrived with 3 hours to spare. We tried using the self service check in kiosk even though it never worked on our previous flights. Of course this time it didn't work again. So off we went to counter B1 for assistance. There were only 3 groups before us in that queue so we thought it won't take us long. How wrong we were. One group took 5-10 mins which was ok but the second one took over 50 mins. To make matters worse after this group finally left the staff at the counter attended to a big group which wasn't even in the queue. Of course we were not happy and moved away. My husband decided to ask the staff at self service check in kiosk to help us check in. She was attending to my husband when my kids and I joined him. She had obviously checked in some of us and then asked for the passport of the fourth person without telling me who she has already checked in because I wasn't there. I gave her the wrong passport and that's when she started talking to me condescendingly. She threatened not to proceed with checking me in. By that time my kids and husband had already been checked in I had a lot more to say to her but had to hold my tongue as all I wanted was to be checked in and get on my flight. Were finally checked in after 1.5 hrs. Just as well we arrived early. I am so shocked with how bad the service is and how the staff can get away with it. Of course our BA flight to Singapore was delayed like all other flights that we took during our holiday. This time it was delayed for 3 hours. 2 hours of that we were stuck in the plane. Have promised ourselves not to fly BA in the future if it means going through T5. Worst experience ever.

We arrived at Terminal 4 amidst a downpour and our taxi dropped us off at the drop zone. Having paid him an exorbitant fee for the fare because the M25 was clogged up we were then exposed to the torrential rain in the time it took us to find a trolley and wheel all our luggage up to the terminal doors. By the time we got there we were all soaked to the skin. I looked around and discovered we had no chance of seeking any cover or protection from the weather as there wasn't any until you reached the terminal. Surely this is ridiculous as winter rain would be just as bad. Not happy at all. I for one will be avoiding Heathrow in the future not only because of this but the M25 is a continual joke.

We traveled through Heathrow on 7/18/14 passing through from Stuttgart on our way to Dallas. Due to a late arrival our connection time was shortened to a little over an hour. We transferred easily from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 although it takes about 15 minutes by bus to do so. However the security screening at Terminal 3 was completely unacceptable. First of all there were only 2 lines open. Secondly once it was our turn our bags were placed into a tub and then abandoned. Simply left on the belt and everyone walked away. I asked several times for someone to process us and was told someone was on their way. Several security personnel were simply standing around doing nothing. I then went to the supervisor's desk and demanded that someone process us. He told me to stop shouting at him and that he had dispatched someone. Again we waited. I explained again that we had a flight to catch. No one was interested in the least in this. Then an agent took our tub and moved it forward to a table. Then another agent came. All these agents moved at snail speed. It was like a bad movie. No one was friendly not to mention displayed any sense of urgency whatsoever. The agent then carried our tub very slowly to another desk and proceeded to review our bags. We had a pasta machine brand new unopened in the box. This then needed to be taken apart examined it might have been a weapon and only when yet another agent a supervisor and the only person with any sense in that whole bunch said that it was ok were we permitted to pack everything up and proceed. I was absolutely furious. We were on our way to Dallas and arriving in the US was a breath of fresh air everyone there was friendly we processed quickly. The staff in London should be ashamed. This is the absolutely worst airport ever. They really could not have cared less.

Departed from Terminal 2 on EVA air. Was excited to visit the new airport with high hopes it would be like T5 but what a great disappointment. The check in area was airy but not as grand as T5. It's clean and basic. There were only two cafes/bar before security - A Costa and a Weatherspoon. There is also a very tiny travel shop. When we entered the check in area it was empty - not many airlines have moved to T2. There was a very polite and friendly gentleman from the airport at the entrance to give you direction and guidance. I assume because it's not occupied solely by one airlines like T5 does the check in desks seem to be more "traditional" and less inviting. Most of the airlines are using self check in and bag tag printing service which might save time for some but not for all. Perhaps the airport was still new and not used by many airlines and we also arrived very early the check in was very smooth and fast. Security was also fast but it will be interesting to see what happens when all airlines move in. The check in agent warned us its a long walk to get to the gate. It turned out to be a reasonable walk just a lot of stairs/escalators going up and down. There are not many dining and shopping options in the terminal either. The signature restaurant was a big disappointment. Food was boring and plain. Shopping is also very weak. All in all it's a clean and new airport. If you are flying short haul with no requirement for check in or eating/drinking/shopping it might work well.

Travelled with Air Canada from the brand new LHR terminal 2. We checked in online the day before our flight and had our electronic boarding passes and arrived at terminal 2 expecting to just drop our bags off as per usual. Upon arrival we informed quite rudely that even though we had already checked in and had our boarding passes we still had to use a self service machine to obtain our baggage tags and then drop our bags off. So we used the machines and my partners passport wouldn't scan properly so he could not get his baggage tags. We were told by the assistant that it was probably because the surname was too long on the passport (strange reason) and that in order to get a baggage tag we had to join the "check in assistance" line which was huge and check in his bags there. I was also told that because I had my baggage tags I had to join a different line and drop my bags off there because as I had already printed my baggage tags I would not be allowed to drop off my bags at check in assistance with my partners bags - cue Benny Hill music. So I dropped my bags off and then rejoined my partner in his line turns out a lot of people were having having problems with the self service machines not reading people's passports properly. After 30 minutes wait we eventually reached the counter and explained the situation to the agent who was so rude and basically said "not my fault the machines don't read your passport and that we should complain to Air Canada". So in the old terminal 3 you checked in online and dropped your bags off but in the new brand sparkly terminal 2 you still have to use the self service machines and proceed to drop off but god help you if the machines don't work because the staff will not help you!

I have flown from the US to Europe many times and my experience at London Heathrow Airport was horrible. The airport itself was difficult and to top it off having to deal with the "lady" at security was a nightmare. As I said before this is not my first time flying to Europe or even a London airport. The treatment I received while going through security was disrespectful and flat out rude. I realize security at airports are in some regards different but when you are being talked about while you are less than two feet away from this "lady" as if you are stupid is reprehensible and to be called a "moaner" and being accused of "moaning" about the security procedures because you are from the USA. As my bag finally made it through security I was standing in front of the metal detector she says "I hope you have a nice flight and forces a smile. I looked at her and replied "I will once I get out of here." This was by far the worst experience I have ever had at an airport and if I have any control over flying through London or staying in London I will never fly through London Heathrow again.

What were they thinking when they designed this airport? Having everyone walk a gauntlet of high priced shops through a narrow corridor pulling luggage is just plain stupid. Inadequate and confusing signage throughout. Complete lack of information kiosks. At the entrance to some of the escalators there were barriers that forced you to turn sideways to pull your roller board through. Seating in the waiting area only a very small percentage of seats could view the departure monitors. The degree of walking waiting and confusion is equalled only by some airports in 3rd world countries. This was one of the most frustrating and ill conceived airports I have ever been in. For shame England. Is the really the best you could do?