It's official: People don't like Heathrow. In a poll of nearly 15,000 subscribers to Priority Pass, the leading independent airport lounge program, London's Heathrow Airport came in at the bottom of their Sept 2009 survey of world airports.

The unmitigated hate is likely stemming from last year's T5 opening, commonly known as a debacle, where people missed flights, lost luggage and simply sat around complaining about everything.

Commenting on the survey results, Jonathan French, the head of Priority Pass said: "The travelers who took part in this survey took almost 250,000 flights between them over the last year, and that means they know a thing or two about airports.

"Sadly, Heathrow remains firmly entrenched as the airport the world loves to hate."

T5 at Heathrow has a few things not going for it: its distance from other terminals, the need to exit and re-enter security checkpoints, making it a slog if you're late for a plane, and its general newness, creating a guessing game even for those familiar with the airport's layout.

The baggage problems have gotten a lot better at Heathrow but there is a still an issue with connecting flights. The airport's minimum allowed connection time is officially two hours. AirTreks recommends giving yourself three or even four hours if you have any choice in the matter. If you're connecting through on British Airways, you should be okay with your bags as they'll be checked through to your next flight—they might actually make it there before you do!—but if your changing between airlines that don't have a baggage agreement, give yourself plenty of time. And call ahead to see if your airlines have a baggage agreement, they may be able to check your bags through automatically.

• Get a seat at the front of the plane so you can de-board as quickly as possible.


• Show security officers your boarding pass for the next flight. They may be able to either get you into the shortest line or else escort you through the traffic so you can make it if you're late.


• Check live departure times with your web enabled phone.

Read this story from CNN on how best to quickly get through security checkpoints. Fortunately the UK is relaxing some of its liquid bans, which should make the queues move along faster.

And if you want to regain some of your faith in world airports read my post of last month about the world's best airports. 

Be happy out there!


* photos by James Cridland