Heathrow T5 shown off

Reporters were treated to a sneak preview of the nearly complete Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport earlier this week.

The main part of the £4.3 billion terminal is currently 99 per cent finished and is set to open at the end of March, when British Airways operates its first flight out of its new base on the 27th, the Associated Press reports.

Among the features of the sleek new development are a total of 112 shops and food outlets, 96 self-service check-in kiosks capable of scanning passports and visas, and first and business class lounges with spa and cinema facilities, capable of holding up to 2,500 flyers.

British Airways commercial director Robert Boyle told members of the press that the carrier needed to be able to fly from a hub that would enhance its reputation.

"We have to compete with business-class-only airlines, traditional ones and no-frill ones," he stated.

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