London Heathrow’s Terminal 3, originally opened in 1961 as the Oceanic Terminal and officially inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1968, was purpose-built to handle the rise of long-haul and international flights.
Fully refurbished and modernised between 2007 and 2016 at a cost of £1.1 billion, it now serves as a major hub for oneworld alliance carriers including American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and British Airways’ own transatlantic routes.
The terminal processes around 10 million passengers annually across its 71 gates and features flagship lounges, luxury retail and direct access to the Heathrow Express.
In recent years, Terminal 3 has also become a key entry point for flights from Asia and North America, playing a central role in the airport’s post-pandemic recovery and ongoing capacity debates.