Passengers can check-in for Heathrow flights at train station

Business travellers and holidaymakers catching flights from London's Heathrow Airport are to be offered the chance to save time by checking in at the train station.

Aimed at making the whole travel experience more efficient and less stressful for those jetting out of the capital, the new initiative has seen automated self-service machines installed at Paddington Station.

These allow airline passengers to check in for short-haul or long-haul flights and print of their boarding passes before they take the train to Heathrow Airport, meaning once they reach their terminal, they only need to head to the relevant boarding gate.

Heathrow Express, the train company operating the 15-minute journey, explained: "Heathrow Airport may be the busiest airport in the country, but you can avoid long queues by checking-in before you get there."

At present, the check-in service is to be limited to passengers taking flights from London Heathrow on Delta Airlines, Iberia and United Airlines, though it is anticipated that a number of other big-named carriers, such as British Airways, will soon be added.

Meanwhile, new electronic border gates look set to be installed at Heathrow Airport within the next few months.

Posted by Clare, 02 December 2009 11:55

News tags

• Delta
• Iberia
• United Airlines