Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport, London - a Family-Friendly Guide

Home exclusively to the British Airways, the Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport, London is the newest terminal boasting a glass and steel exterior, huge lounges, duty free shops, medical care, and much more. The construction of the terminal began in 1989 and it started operations in 2008. According to heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk, Terminal 5 is "able to handle 30 million passengers per year, taking Heathrow's total number of passengers to around 90 million..." The Airports Council International ranks Heathrow as the second busiest airport in 2009.

Having experienced it first-hand over the summer, I know that arriving at the mammoth Terminal 5 at Heathrow can be overwhelming for many families. This quick guide walks you through some of the family-friendly facilities and services at Heathrow.

Note: The following facilities mentioned are located in Terminal 5, after going through security.

Family friendly restaurants at Heathrow Terminal 5

Terminal 5 at Heathrow provides you with an endless array of dining choices from bars, pubs, and elegant diners. However, some of the family favorites are as follows:

EAT: Sandwiches, soups and coffee
Pret A Manger: Handmade sandwiches, baguettes and salads. (You can expect extremely fast service with an on site kitchen.)
Wagamama: Inspired by Japanese noodle bars, you will find a range of Pan-Asian delights.
Giraffe: A personal favorite with an eclectic menu and awesome coffee, brewed from naturally grown coffee beans brought directly from farms in Brazil and Guatemala. From nacho melts, fried eggs and chips, burgers, burritos, smoothies and brownies - you get it all!

Many of the restaurants offer kids' menu and a fantastic view of the airplanes.

Internet Services at Heathrow Terminal 5

Heathrow offers wi-fi for all travelers with a notebook or laptop. Boingo.com. is the service provider. You will need to pay and set up an account, managed on line. Also, available are wired Internet terminals. Payment options are pre-paid voucher, by coin (UK pound or euro) or on line by credit card. (Note: Always make sure that the computer works prior to paying. I lost around £2 on my trip. Many of the machines refused to type...)

Pharmacies at Heathrow Terminal 5

For over-the-counter medications, visit the Boots the Chemist with branches all over Heathrow, before and after security.

Entertainment for Children

Terminal 5 offers a stunning view of the airfield. Partake in take offs and landings from several lounges. It's exciting to be a part of the action, and keeps the children distracted and entertained for several hours. A perfect spot for some pictures too!

Information Desks

You will find plenty of BAA customer hosts eager to answer your questions and offer professional help. Passengers have access to several help points all over Heathrow.

Also available are several diaper changing stations, before and after security.

If your journey ends at London, you have access to additional services that you can reserve prior to leaving (an extra cost applies) like the concierge services, where in a host meets and escorts you through the immigration process, assists you with your luggage and assists you find a mode of transportation.

Sources:
Personal Experience
Heathrow Airport - Official Website