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  • An employee of an unidentified recycling company used by BAA (British Airports Authority) rakes through a mountain of glass bottles, piled high in a depsitory near Gatwick Airport, Sussex England. The drinks from these branded bottles have been consumed at airport terminal buildings and other BAA property and the man dressed in a fluorescent safety jacket scrapes the containers in readiness for transportation to another facility. The picture is an upright and with such a wide-angle view, we see the bottles stretching from the closest to the lens to the far end of the compartment in a mound of materials destined for a machine that will crush and transform them into new glass.
    RB_015-30-04-2008.jpg
  • 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Here we see items of luggage spending 4 hours in transit, held in a fully-automated parking lot for bags. Computers decide when to fish the item out and re-introduce it into the system and load it on to the appropriate aircraft. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1187-13-08-2009_1.jpg
  • 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Here we see items of luggage spending 4 hours in transit, held in a fully-automated parking lot for bags. Computers decide when to fish the item out and re-introduce it into the system and load it on to the appropriate aircraft. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1187-13-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A market researcher working for the Heathrow Aiport operator BAA, conducts her surveys in the departures concourses of this aviation hub's terminal 5. Asking very detailed but brief questions of this young mother and her rather suspicious daughter, both travelling to the US, the unseen woman employee samples opinion on the airport's performance and the passengers overall experience of using this airport. Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and by analysing the data from these surveys helps the operator discover room for improvement. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport345-13-07-2009_1.jpg
  • A boy spreads his hands and fingers out on a Gatwick South Terminal window. Outside is the nose of an American Northwest Airlines DC-10 with its third engine mounted high on the rear fuselage) that is parked at a satellite gate at London Gatwick airport. The boy is a silhouette against subdued light and the aircraft's nose resembles a shark's face that is menacingly close to the young child. Such is the flattening of perspective by a telephoto lens, the aircraft looks much closer than in reality. Gatwick airport, as well as Heathrow, Stansted, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Southampton in the UK, is owned and administered by BAA, the British Airport Authority.
    RB-0047.jpg
  • An engineer working underground during construction of the Heathrow Express train project on behalf of Heathrow airport operator BAA (British Airport Authority), London England. While standing erect, he twists a high-tension tool that secures the concrete sleepers to the steel rails using a Pandrol Clip. The tunnel snakes its way into the distance behind him, lit by temporary lighting on the 5-mile tunnel wall. Its sections are reinforced concrete, shaped for the Heathrow Express electric Siemens-built trains that provide a direct link between Heathrow's terminals and Paddington station in central London. This is now the most expensive rail-mile fare in the UK at £15.50 for a 15-minute journey. In 1994 one tunnel collapsed without warning in one of the most catastrophic civil engineering disasters in British history.
    RB_012-26-03-1997.jpg
  • Seen from an aerial walkway, we look down on airline passengers awaiting the arrival of their baggage in the baggage reclaim hall in the arrivals of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1527-19-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Seen from an aerial walkway, we look down on airline passengers awaiting the arrival of their baggage in the baggage reclaim hall in the arrivals of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1527-19-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A family just arrived from Chennai (India) drags heavy suitcases from the carousel in the arrivals of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1533-19-08-2009_1.jpg
  • 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Here we see items of luggage spending 4 hours in transit, held in a fully-automated parking lot for bags. Computers decide when to fish the item out and re-introduce it into the system and load it on to the appropriate aircraft. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1184-13-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Here we see items of luggage spending 4 hours in transit, held in a fully-automated parking lot for bags. Computers decide when to fish the item out and re-introduce it into the system and load it on to the appropriate aircraft. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1184-13-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Seen from an aerial walkway, we look down on a lady airline passengers struggling to separate two trolleys in the baggage reclaim hall in the arrivals of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport464-14-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Seen from an aerial walkway, we look down on a lady airline passengers struggling to separate two trolleys in the baggage reclaim hall in the arrivals of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport464-14-07-2009_1.jpg
  • Seen from an aerial walkway, we look down on a lady airline passenger being helped to pull her heavy suitacse from the carousel in the baggage reclaim hall in the arrivals of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport459-14-07-2009_1.jpg
  • 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through these 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. There are four colour codes: Yellow for out-of-gauge (oversized, like golf clubs); dark blue for not x-rayed; light blue for transfer and red, meaning the item has been subjected to 12 seconds of x-ray scanning. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1177-13-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340 crosses the perimeter fence at Heathrow Airport on its way to an international destination. Seen from below, the passing Jumbo takes-off and climbs under full take-off power over the surrounding airfield security fence. Its razor-wire is an effective deterrent against protesters or terrorists and symbolises the lengths that airport authorities (in this case BAA) need go to to ensure their property is safe. The aircraft is seen almost entangled in the secure wire as if passing through the mesh. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1053-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340 crosses the perimeter fence at Heathrow Airport on its way to an international destination. Seen from below, the passing Jumbo takes-off and climbs under full take-off power over the surrounding airfield security fence. Its razor-wire is an effective deterrent against protesters or terrorists and symbolises the lengths that airport authorities (in this case BAA) need go to to ensure their property is safe. The aircraft is seen almost entangled in the secure wire as if passing through the mesh. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1053-11-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • An Islamic prayer mat has been left positioned into the corner of this seemingly ordinary room but which is a Multi-faith room for passengers seeking solace and tranquillity in an otherwise busy Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Airport operator BAA provide this sanctuary in various locations around the vast airport complex but this is the newest in Departures of T5. The rug has an image from Mecca and points Eastwards to the birthplace of Mohammed and the direction of the Hajj. On the wall is a poster offering welcome to other religions: To Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Humanists, Jains, Hindus and Rastafarians, to name a few. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport876-10-08-2009_1.jpg
  • An Islamic prayer mat has been left positioned into the corner of this seemingly ordinary room but which is a Multi-faith room for passengers seeking solace and tranquillity in an otherwise busy Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Airport operator BAA provide this sanctuary in various locations around the vast airport complex but this is the newest in Departures of T5. The rug has an image from Mecca and points Eastwards to the birthplace of Mohammed and the direction of the Hajj. On the wall is a poster offering welcome to other religions: To Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Humanists, Jains, Hindus and Rastafarians, to name a few. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport876-10-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A female security officer has spotted an abandoned bag with the words 'Giraffe To Go' on the side, inside a lift of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. The woman talks urgently but calmly using her walkie-talkie. She needs to report it to her controllers as a suspicious package but may turn out to be an innocent lunch bag left by a hurrying and absent-minded passenger, realising their flight is about to close, instead of a bomb left by a malicious terrorist. The lady bends down to give as accurate description as she can before airport police arrive to determine how serious the treat is and possibly order a costly evacuation. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport505-14-07-2009_1.jpg
  • A female security officer has spotted an abandoned bag with the words 'Giraffe To Go' on the side, inside a lift of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. The woman talks urgently but calmly using her walkie-talkie. She needs to report it to her controllers as a suspicious package but may turn out to be an innocent lunch bag left by a hurrying and absent-minded passenger, realising their flight is about to close, instead of a bomb left by a malicious terrorist. The lady bends down to give as accurate description as she can before airport police arrive to determine how serious the treat is and possibly order a costly evacuation. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport505-14-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • About to board their Sri Lankan airlines flight to the Maldives, crowds of economy class passengers stand and make an orderly queue when their flight has been called by ground staff at London Heathrow airport England. Lines of people from all nations can be seen reflected in a large window that also overlooks the airport apron where their front-facing Airbus A340-300 aircraft awaits them, its flight-deck crew is seen in the cockpit readying their plane for the long night journey ahead. Catering service trucks are parked alongside the aircraft, loading supplies and all is on schedule from this large intercontinental airport hub to the much smaller island airfield in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the idyllic destination for holidaying Europeans.
    maldives01-10-11-2007.jpg
  • Looking up to the Nokia information screen and 40m high roof of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. Designed by architects Richard Rogers Partnership the controversial building opened with chaotic scenes on 27/3/08. British Airways passengers faced baggage disruption after a 6 year construction project that has seen the British public divided over the role of commercial aviation. At a cost of £4.3bn, the project was Britain's longest planning inquiry which lasted four years but finally employing a total of 60,000 workers. 30,000 square metres of glass in walls; 80,000 tonnes of steel were used - 17,000 in the roof alone; 5,000 doors, 800 toilets, 20,000 power sockets and 1,700 miles of cable; 60 new aircraft stands, including 14 for the Airbus A380; 13km of tunnels were bored for the state-of-the-art baggage handling to handle 12,000 bags per hour.
    heathrow_terminal_five-04-17-03-2008...jpg
  • Honeymooners cuddle in front of other passengers before their round-the-world adventure, leaving from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5B. The couple are seen embracing at the departure gate as the remaining air travellers filter through the last security checks and board their long-haul flight. The young lady has a look of contentment on her face, the look of happiness and comfort in the arms of her new husband and they hug with all the affection of young love and trust. Another passenger grins in their direction during this show of devotion. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1524-19-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A young brother and sister look on in awe while a British Airways check-in lady asks security questions of the pair's parents who are taking her children on a long-haul flight from London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The family baggage has been tagged and is about to disappear down the belt to join up to 70,000 other items in this average day at T5. The siblings stare as the young woman checks the travel details of the mother and father who have booked Business Class seats for them all. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1396-18-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Airline passengers make their way along jetties from their newly-arrived aircraft, towards the arrivals concourse in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. We see four lines of jetties that are owned by the airport operator, used by British Airways and sponsored by HSBC. Air travellers walk briskly after their long-haul flight either carrying light carry-on bags or towing small cases on wheels. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..
    heathrow_airport1201-13-08-2009_1.jpg
  • We look down behind an airline passenger who is alone on seating in the departures concourse of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Mourning the death of a mother, the lady sits with a floral tribute to the recently-deceased relative whose name 'Mum' is laid out next to her in pink flowers. On her lap is the organic Soil Association's magazine Living Earth. Perhaps the woman is on her way to a family funeral and is flying from T5 on this sad flight. Amid the otherwise bustling international airport, the woman seeks solace and tries to sleep before her check-in zone opens. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1122-12-08-2009_1.jpg
  • NHS Paramedic Janet Greenhead cycles through the departures concourse on her Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Janet is a Responder with the cycle response unit (CRU), a part of the London Ambulance Service whose job it is to attend injuries within Heathrow's terminals. Pedalling the heavy bike laden with 55kg of medical emergency equipment she answers the calls from those with a cut finger, a baggage handler who’s injured an arm, a child who’s fallen over with cuts and bruises or a much more serious incident like a cardiac arrest which are common in an airport where passengers feel under stress or who forget to take their medicines while jet lagged. During a busy shift, she could end up cycling more than eight miles. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1134-12-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A wide night view looking down on the rubber-stained of runway 27R at Heathrow Airport. During a time-exposure and partially-lit by the headlights and spotlights of an airfield emergency vehicle, we see the giant numbers 27 that landing pilots will see from a mile away as they descend towards the airport's threshold. The numbers relate to the compass bearing that the line of the runway takes: In this case 270 degrees from north and has a parallel southern twin. Across the number two we also see a set of taxiway lights that help the steering pilot navigate across the airfield and line-up on the departing runway. .From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1105-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • An wide exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). As the last light of the day fades, the brightness of terminal lights shine through massive panes of window glass. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1082-11-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Seen from the inside looking outwards, we see one of the giant 38 ton 'torso nodes' of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 roof structure. Developed by Arup to design the geometry of abutment steel, this engineering challenge needed to help support 50 ton rafters to made T5 the largest free-standing building in the UK. In the centre is the torso that sits on top of two feet with the wings splaying out to the window. The main architecture was created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners) and opened in 2008 after a cost of £4.3 billion. Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport872-22-07-2009_1.jpg
  • An empty landscape of stark architecture situated on the ground floor of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 'Heathrow Express' train link station. Iron supporting pillars have been sunk into concrete making an aesthetic of industrial beauty amid the bustle of a major aviation airport hub. .Designed by architects HOK International in conjunction with Rogers, Stirk, Harbour & Partners. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport805-22-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A young mother holds up her daughter to insert a letter into a post box at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The girl half-climbs up the red pillar box and tries to get the postage item into the narrow slot which is an even tighter fit because of security considerations - avoiding larger and potentially dangerous packages from entering the airport's postal system. In the background we see the bustle of a departures concourse where British Airways passengers walk past after having checked-in at BA's hub terminal. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..
    heathrow_airport684-17-07-2009_1.jpg
  • Two elderly but travel-wise passengers read the morning newspapers while awaiting their check-in zone to open in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 departures concourse. The front page of the Daily Mail proclaims that Swine Flu is getting more serious after a period of summer when schools are about to re-open and temperatures about to drop for autumn. With their baggage stacked on a trolley the couple wait patiently after an early morning coach brought them to this aviation hub for BA only flights. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport667-17-07-2009_1.jpg
  • An upright picture of a departures information board at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. A lady passenger stands motionless to read the details of flight departure times to echo that of a Vodafone advertisement containing a figure of a man standing erect on a beach, a generic scene of a person on holiday taking advantage of low mobile phone charges in mainland Europe.  Both the man and the woman are on opposite sides of the picture and we see a large letter C that denotes the check-in zone of this 400 metre-long terminal that has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport625-15-07-2009_1.jpg
  • A scene of busy modern air travel as international passengers check-in at the British Airways Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Under the gaze of a giant eye that seems to be peering from out of a massive TV screen, the self-service kiosks that have been developed to allow customers to process their own ticketing on arrival at this aviation hub for British Airways. Once they've chosen their seat and printed a boarding pass, they can go straight to the Fast Bag Drop desk at the airport. There, baggage will be tagged by an agent and sent to the aircraft. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport626-15-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Amid the hectic arrivals concourse of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5, a young couple hold on to each other tight after a few weeks separation when the girl took a family holiday away from her boyfriend who needed to work here in London. They have clearly missed each other after such a short break from each other but are otherwise oblivious to the crowds that surround them in this busy international airport. They embrace with genuine affection for each other in a display of sexual freedom that is otherwise seen as a taboo in other countries. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport602-15-07-2009_1.jpg
  • Half-silhouetted figures add to the bustle of a hectic arrivals concourse at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Seen against the orange advertisement for Mastercard which shows scenes of London that sightseers will want to visit. People wait for family to pick them up and tourists await the rest of their groups and tour guides with baggage trolleys laden with possessions. Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport605-15-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Amid the hectic arrivals concourse of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5, two friends hold on to each other tight after an international arrival. Standing in front of a Mastercard ad which shows scenes of London, the coupe squeeze each other tight amid an otherwise hectic airport concourse in heathrow's Terminal 5. They have clearly missed each other after such a break apart but are otherwise oblivious to the crowds that surround them in this busy international airport. They embrace with genuine affection for each other in a display of sexual freedom that is otherwise seen as a taboo in other countries. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport592-15-07-2009_1.jpg
  • The three letter IATA codes for some of the world's airport destinations have been used as part of an art design in a plaza outside Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. An arc of these neon-lit codes form an arch on a panel near one of the 1,500 semi mature trees. Illuminated in a sequence, they are all lit here before the sequence re-starts and they all become dimmed. Terminal 5 was created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners) and has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport544-14-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Greeting drivers await their passengers to arrive off a flight from Beijing. In the hectic international arrivals concourse of Heathrow's Terminal 5, the men hold up name boards to attract the attention of those Chinese nationals who are new students at a Bournemouth language college called Education First (EF), based on England's south coast. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport403-13-07-2009_1.jpg
  • An elderly lady receives a consultation from a professional beautician in the Clinique Bar at World Duty Free in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. In a quiet corner of peace and tranquility, the woman's face is examined in detail using a magnifying lens that allows the assistant to see every hair follicle and pore. Amid the busy departures terminal of this international aviation hub, this is a corner of quiet and tranquillity before the woman traveller boards her flight after this few minutes of pampering. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport160-13-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • An elderly lady receives a consultation from a professional beautician in the Clinique Bar at World Duty Free in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. In a quiet corner of peace and tranquility, the woman's face is examined in detail using a magnifying lens that allows the assistant to see every hair follicle and pore. Amid the busy departures terminal of this international aviation hub, this is a corner of quiet and tranquillity before the woman traveller boards her flight after this few minutes of pampering. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport160-13-07-2009_1.jpg
  • A plane taking off from London’s Heathrow Airport, and flying over the Stanwell area of Hounslow Borough.
    09-plane-6223.jpg
  • Looking at International Arrivals of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. Designed by architects Richard Rogers Partnership the controversial building opened with chaotic scenes on 27/3/08. British Airways passengers faced baggage disruption after a 6 year construction project that has seen the British public divided over the role of commercial aviation. At a cost of £4.3bn, the project was Britain's longest planning inquiry which lasted four years but finally employing a total of 60,000 workers. 30,000 square metres of glass in walls; 80,000 tonnes of steel were used - 17,000 in the roof alone; 5,000 doors, 800 toilets, 20,000 power sockets and 1,700 miles of cable; 60 new aircraft stands, including 14 for the Airbus A380; 13km of tunnels were bored for the state-of-the-art baggage handling to handle 12,000 bags per hour.
    heathrow_terminal_five-20-17-03-2008...jpg
  • Looking at practice baggage of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. Designed by architects Richard Rogers Partnership the controversial building opened with chaotic scenes on 27/3/08. British Airways passengers faced baggage disruption after a 6 year construction project that has seen the British public divided over the role of commercial aviation. At a cost of £4.3bn, the project was Britain's longest planning inquiry which lasted four years but finally employing a total of 60,000 workers. 30,000 square metres of glass in walls; 80,000 tonnes of steel were used - 17,000 in the roof alone; 5,000 doors, 800 toilets, 20,000 power sockets and 1,700 miles of cable; 60 new aircraft stands, including 14 for the Airbus A380; 13km of tunnels were bored for the state-of-the-art baggage handling to handle 12,000 bags per hour.
    heathrow_terminal_five-07-17-03-2008...jpg
  • Looking up to the Nokia information screen and 40m high roof of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. Designed by architects Richard Rogers Partnership the controversial building opened with chaotic scenes on 27/3/08. British Airways passengers faced baggage disruption after a 6 year construction project that has seen the British public divided over the role of commercial aviation. At a cost of £4.3bn, the project was Britain's longest planning inquiry which lasted four years but finally employing a total of 60,000 workers. 30,000 square metres of glass in walls; 80,000 tonnes of steel were used - 17,000 in the roof alone; 5,000 doors, 800 toilets, 20,000 power sockets and 1,700 miles of cable; 60 new aircraft stands, including 14 for the Airbus A380; 13km of tunnels were bored for the state-of-the-art baggage handling to handle 12,000 bags per hour.
    heathrow_terminal_five-01-17-03-2008...jpg
  • Looking up to the Fast Bag Drop facility Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. Designed by architects Richard Rogers Partnership the controversial building opened with chaotic scenes on 27/3/08. British Airways passengers faced baggage disruption after a 6 year construction project that has seen the British public divided over the role of commercial aviation. At a cost of £4.3bn, the project was Britain's longest planning inquiry which lasted four years but finally employing a total of 60,000 workers. 30,000 square metres of glass in walls; 80,000 tonnes of steel were used - 17,000 in the roof alone; 5,000 doors, 800 toilets, 20,000 power sockets and 1,700 miles of cable; 60 new aircraft stands, including 14 for the Airbus A380; 13km of tunnels were bored for the state-of-the-art baggage handling to handle 12,000 bags per hour.
    heathrow_terminal_five-05-17-03-2008...jpg
  • A departures information board at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 is viewed by passengers who stands motionless to read the details of flight departure times to echo that of a Vodafone advertisement containing a tourist on a beach, a generic scene of a person on holiday taking advantage of low mobile phone charges in mainland Europe.  A finger from an unseen traveller points to a flight time and to ladies stand gazing up at the check-in guide that helps tell which is the check-in zone of this 400 metre-long terminal that has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..
    heathrow_airport1649-24-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Seen from ground level, we see one of the giant 'hand nodes' of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 roof structure. Developed by Arup to design the geometry of abutment steel supports, this engineering challenge needed to help support 50 ton tusk rafters to made T5 the largest free-standing building in the UK. A large H denotes the check-in zone for international passengers. The main architecture was created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners) and opened in 2008 after a cost of £4.3 billion. Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1670-24-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A departures information board at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 is viewed by passengers who stands motionless to read the details of flight departure times to echo that of a Vodafone advertisement containing a tourist on a beach, a generic scene of a person on holiday taking advantage of low mobile phone charges in mainland Europe.  A finger from an unseen traveller points to a flight time and to ladies stand gazing up at the check-in guide that helps tell which is the check-in zone of this 400 metre-long terminal that has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1649-24-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Seen from ground level, we see one of the giant 'hand nodes' of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 roof structure. Developed by Arup to design the geometry of abutment steel supports, this engineering challenge needed to help support 50 ton tusk rafters to made T5 the largest free-standing building in the UK. A large H denotes the check-in zone for international passengers. The main architecture was created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners) and opened in 2008 after a cost of £4.3 billion. Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1670-24-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Outside Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, during the turnround of a British Airways jet aircraft, the refueller's heavy fuel nozzle is plugged into the airfield's underground reservoirs to pump some 109 tons of Jet A1 aviation fuel flowing at a rate of 3,000 litres a minute, to be uplifted into the wing tanks of a Boeing 747-300, a typical quantity of extra fuel for this aeroplane bound for Los Angeles. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1592-20-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Outside Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, during the turnround of a British Airways jet aircraft, the refueller’s heavy fuel nozzle is plugged into the airfield's underground reservoirs to pump some 109 tons of Jet A1 aviation fuel flowing at a rate of 3,000 litres a minute, to be uplifted into the wing tanks of a Boeing 747-300, a typical quantity of extra fuel for this aeroplane bound for Los Angeles. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1592-20-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • During the turnround of the British Airways jet aircraft, a refueller drags the heavy fuel nozzle from his bowser truck on the apron at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. He is about to plug the connections into the airfield's underground reservoirs from where some 109 tons of Jet A1 aviation fuel flowing at a rate of 3,000 litres a minute will be uplifted into the wing tanks of a Boeing 747-300, a typical quantity of extra fuel for this aeroplane bound for Los Angeles. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1582-20-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • During the turnround of the British Airways jet aircraft, a refueller drags the heavy fuel nozzle from his bowser truck on the apron at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. He is about to plug the connections into the airfield's underground reservoirs from where some 109 tons of Jet A1 aviation fuel flowing at a rate of 3,000 litres a minute will be uplifted into the wing tanks of a Boeing 747-300, a typical quantity of extra fuel for this aeroplane bound for Los Angeles. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1582-20-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Honeymooners cuddle in front of their Boeing 747-400 that will soon take them on a round-the-world adventure, leaving from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5B. The couple are seen as silhouettes against the natural light of the large plate glass windows. As the aircraft is readied and before the flight's air travellers are called to the departure gate, the young man and woman put their heads imagining what new things they will see as their airliner is about to transport them to experience new cultures and possibly a new life. In the background, we see other jets that are parked in their respective jetties across the main movement area, the apron. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1521-19-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Honeymooners cuddle in front of their Boeing 747-400 that will soon take them on a round-the-world adventure, leaving from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5B. The couple are seen as silhouettes against the natural light of the large plate glass windows. As the aircraft is readied and before the flight's air travellers are called to the departure gate, the young man and woman put their heads imagining what new things they will see as their airliner is about to transport them to experience new cultures and possibly a new life. In the background, we see other jets that are parked in their respective jetties across the main movement area, the apron. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1521-19-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Honeymooners cuddle in front of other passengers before their round-the-world adventure, leaving from Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5B. The couple are seen embracing at the departure gate as the remaining air travellers filter through the last security checks and board their long-haul flight. The young lady has a look of contentment on her face, the look of happiness and comfort in the arms of her new husband and they hug with all the affection of young love and trust. Another passenger grins in their direction during this show of devotion. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1524-19-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A disabled airline passenger makes her own way through the Departures concourse of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Pushing her racing wheelchair, possibly for a race in another country, the lady heads for a British Airways check-in zone before a long-haul flight to compete as a paraplegic. Pushing her possessions on an airport trolley, she speeds through the terminal showing tanned, muscular arms and a bottle of Evian mineral water. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1487-19-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A departing lover hugs her boyfriend farewell before her long-haul flight in the Departures concourse at. Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. While embracing her young man, she gazes off into the distance amid the otherwise busy airport terminal where the emotions of parting as well as the joys of reunited loved-ones are played out in various parts of aviation hubs around the world. They are both in their own worlds, removed from the noise and confusion of other passengers. Her departure is brief and yet their sadness of being separated is plainly too much to bear. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1483-19-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Security employed by contractor OCS searches a passenger at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Teams of 5-8 perform a rotational order of tasks, changing every 20 minutes: A loader (asking travellers to take off clothing, shoes etc); archway detectors; X-ray operator; liquid tester and bag searcher. The X-ray operator can earn a £50 bonus for a suspect item randomly inserted by undercover officials and known as an Airlock Find. Also, a Tip is a random image flashed on the screen that shows a suspect item they have to spot. A typical day of searched passengers is 25,000 passengers in T5. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1467-18-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Security employed by contractor OCS searches a passenger at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Teams of 5-8 perform a rotational order of tasks, changing every 20 minutes: A loader (asking travellers to take off clothing, shoes etc); archway detectors; X-ray operator; liquid tester and bag searcher. The X-ray operator can earn a £50 bonus for a suspect item randomly inserted by undercover officials and known as an Airlock Find. Also, a Tip is a random image flashed on the screen that shows a suspect item they have to spot. A typical day of searched passengers is 25,000 passengers in T5. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1467-18-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Security employed by contractor OCS monitors an X-ray machine at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Teams of 5-8 perform a rotational order of tasks, changing every 20 minutes: A loader (asking travellers to take off clothing, shoes etc); archway detectors; X-ray operator; liquid tester and bag searcher. The X-ray operator can earn a £50 bonus for a suspect item randomly inserted by undercover officials and known as an Airlock Find. Also, a Tip is a random image flashed on the screen that shows a suspect item they have to spot. A typical day of searched passengers is 25,000 passengers in T5. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1461-18-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A No Sharp objects warning is plain to see as a British Airways check-in employee attaches a luggage tag to the suitcase of a Business Class passenger about to take a long-haul flight from London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The bag is about to disappear down the conveyor belt to join up to 70,000 other items during this average day at T5. With a bar code to identify both the bag and its owner's destination as well as the three letter IATA code, the bag enters 11 miles of underground conveyor belts beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1414-18-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A slightly comical scene of modern air travel as two lady passengers haul matching suitcases at the British Airways self-check-in kiosk at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The self-service kiosks that have been developed to allow customers to process their own ticketing on arrival at this aviation hub for British Airways. Once they've chosen their seat and printed a boarding pass, they can go straight to the Fast Bag Drop desk at the airport. There, baggage will be tagged by an agent and sent to the aircraft. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1434-18-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A slightly comical scene of modern air travel as two lady passengers haul matching suitcases at the British Airways self-check-in kiosk at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The self-service kiosks that have been developed to allow customers to process their own ticketing on arrival at this aviation hub for British Airways. Once they've chosen their seat and printed a boarding pass, they can go straight to the Fast Bag Drop desk at the airport. There, baggage will be tagged by an agent and sent to the aircraft. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport1434-18-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Security employed by contractor OCS monitors an X-ray machine at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Teams of 5-8 perform a rotational order of tasks, changing every 20 minutes: A loader (asking travellers to take off clothing, shoes etc); archway detectors; X-ray operator; liquid tester and bag searcher. The X-ray operator can earn a £50 bonus for a suspect item randomly inserted by undercover officials and known as an Airlock Find. Also, a Tip is a random image flashed on the screen that shows a suspect item they have to spot. A typical day of searched passengers is 25,000 passengers in T5. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1461-18-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A No Sharp objects warning is plain to see as a British Airways check-in employee attaches a luggage tag to the suitcase of a Business Class passenger about to take a long-haul flight from London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The bag is about to disappear down the conveyor belt to join up to 70,000 other items during this average day at T5. With a bar code to identify both the bag and its owner's destination as well as the three letter IATA code, the bag enters 11 miles of underground conveyor belts beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1414-18-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A close-up detail of a male passenger's hand that holds on to his family's travel documents before proceeding to his British Airways check-in zone at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. With a Silver company Executive 'One World' loyalty card, his ticket and British passport to hand, he waits in line after registering at a self-service kiosk where his seat has been designated. A BA employee then only needs to take his luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009)
    heathrow_airport1395-18-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A young brother and sister look on in awe while a British Airways check-in lady asks security questions of the pair's parents who are taking her children on a long-haul flight from London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The family baggage has been tagged and is about to disappear down the belt to join up to 70,000 other items in this average day at T5. The siblings stare as the young woman checks the travel details of the mother and father who have booked Business Class seats for them all. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1396-18-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A close-up detail of one of the British Airways' self-check-in kiosks in international check-in at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. A welcome message reads 'Hello, please check in here' and to the right is a guide for cabin baggage size allowance. The self-service kiosks that have been developed to allow customers to process their own ticketing on arrival at this aviation hub for British Airways. Once they've chosen their seat and printed a boarding pass, they can go straight to the Fast Bag Drop desk at the airport. There, baggage will be tagged by an agent and sent to the aircraft. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1260-16-08-2009_1.jpg
  • NHS Paramedic Janet Greenhead attends to a lady passenger in Heathrow airport's terminal 3 who has tripped on escalators and badly gashed her leg. Janet applies a dressing and cleans the deep wound before advising the lady to visit a local hospital. Paramedics 'Responders' are with the cycle response unit (CRU), part of the London Ambulance Service whose job is to attend injuries within Heathrow, cycling through the terminals on mountain bikes. She answers radio calls from those with a cut finger, a baggage handler who’s injured an arm, a child who’s fallen over with cuts and bruises or a much more serious incident like a cardiac arrest which are common in an airport where passengers feel under stress or who forget to take their medicines while jet lagged. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1207-13-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A close-up detail of one of the British Airways' self-check-in kiosks in international check-in at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. A welcome message reads 'Hello, please check in here' and to the right is a guide for cabin baggage size allowance. The self-service kiosks that have been developed to allow customers to process their own ticketing on arrival at this aviation hub for British Airways. Once they've chosen their seat and printed a boarding pass, they can go straight to the Fast Bag Drop desk at the airport. There, baggage will be tagged by an agent and sent to the aircraft. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport1260-16-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • NHS Paramedic Janet Greenhead attends to a lady passenger in Heathrow airport's terminal 3 who has tripped on escalators and badly gashed her leg. Janet applies a dressing and cleans the deep wound before advising the lady to visit a local hospital. Paramedics 'Responders' are with the cycle response unit (CRU), part of the London Ambulance Service whose job is to attend injuries within Heathrow, cycling through the terminals on mountain bikes. She answers radio calls from those with a cut finger, a baggage handler who's injured an arm, a child who's fallen over with cuts and bruises or a much more serious incident like a cardiac arrest which are common in an airport where passengers feel under stress or who forget to take their medicines while jet lagged. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1207-13-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Airline passengers make their way along jetties from their newly-arrived aircraft, towards the arrivals concourse in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. We see four lines of jetties that are owned by the airport operator, used by British Airways and sponsored by HSBC. Air travellers walk briskly after their long-haul flight either carrying light carry-on bags or towing small cases on wheels. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1201-13-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Queues of newly-arrived airline passengers line up to await their turn at the UK Border Agency's passport control at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities. The UK Border Agency is responsible for securing the United Kingdom borders and controlling migration in the UK. They manage border control enforcing immigration and customs regulations and also consider applications for permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom, citizenship and asylum. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1153-12-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Two seats, three tape-recorders, a panic strip and a telephone are seen in the UK Border Agency's immigration detention room at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Officers deal with members of the public whose passports, demeanour or travel habits have drawn attention to possible criminal activity while seeking entry into the United Kingdom. On average, 10 a day are refused entry here and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities. The UK Border Agency is responsible for securing the United Kingdom borders and controlling migration in the UK. They manage border control enforcing immigration and customs regulations and consider applications for permission to enter the UK for citizenship and asylum. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1167-12-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Two seats, three tape-recorders, a panic strip and a telephone are seen in the UK Border Agency's immigration detention room at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Officers deal with members of the public whose passports, demeanour or travel habits have drawn attention to possible criminal activity while seeking entry into the United Kingdom. On average, 10 a day are refused entry here and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities. The UK Border Agency is responsible for securing the United Kingdom borders and controlling migration in the UK. They manage border control enforcing immigration and customs regulations and consider applications for permission to enter the UK for citizenship and asylum. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport1167-12-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • NHS Paramedic Janet Greenhead cycles through the departures concourse on her Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Janet is a Responder with the cycle response unit (CRU), a part of the London Ambulance Service whose job it is to attend injuries within Heathrow's terminals. Pedalling the heavy bike laden with 55kg of medical emergency equipment she answers the calls from those with a cut finger, a baggage handler who's injured an arm, a child who's fallen over with cuts and bruises or a much more serious incident like a cardiac arrest which are common in an airport where passengers feel under stress or who forget to take their medicines while jet lagged. During a busy shift, she could end up cycling more than eight miles. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1134-12-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • We look down behind an airline passenger who is alone on seating in the departures concourse of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Mourning the death of a mother, the lady sits with a floral tribute to the recently-deceased relative whose name 'Mum' is laid out next to her in pink flowers. On her lap is the organic Soil Association's magazine Living Earth. Perhaps the woman is on her way to a family funeral and is flying from T5 on this sad flight. Amid the otherwise bustling international airport, the woman seeks solace and tries to sleep before her check-in zone opens. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .
    heathrow_airport1122-12-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A female member of the Thomas Cook staff issues foreign currency to an unseen airline passenger in the departures concourse at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. This Bureau de Change is one of two companies trading in foreign exchange, travel insurance and travellers cheques for passengers passing through this aviation hub is west London. We see on the wall behind the assistant, a beach paradise scene of palm trees, calm seas and beach chalets, the idea of tranquillity and prosperity. On the left are the exchange rates for the world's currencies for purchase at this kiosk. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1135-12-08-2009_1.jpg
  • A wide night view looking down on the rubber-stained of runway 27R at Heathrow Airport. During a time-exposure and partially-lit by the headlights and spotlights of an airfield emergency vehicle, we see the giant numbers 27 that landing pilots will see from a mile away as they descend towards the airport's threshold. The numbers relate to the compass bearing that the line of the runway takes: In this case 270 degrees from north and has a parallel southern twin. Across the number two we also see a set of taxiway lights that help the steering pilot navigate across the airfield and line-up on the departing runway. <br />
From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1105-11-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Lit by ambient light from airfield spotlights and with an American Airlines jet in the background, is one of three footing support struts belonging to Heathrow Airport's new control tower which is seen at night on the airfield's apron, the movement area where arriving and departing aircraft pass-by. The 285 feet (87 m) high tower is more than twice the height of the original, and was designed by Richard Rogers and constructed by Arup, costing £50m. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1087-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • With faint traces of an evening metor shower in the sky, a wide exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). As the last light of the day fades and a departing aircraft's lights streak across the sky, the brightness of terminal lights shine through massive panes of window glass. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ......
    heathrow_airport1083-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • With faint traces of an evening metor shower in the sky, a wide exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). As the last light of the day fades and a departing aircraft's lights streak across the sky, the brightness of terminal lights shine through massive panes of window glass. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1083-11-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • An wide exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). As the last light of the day fades, the brightness of terminal lights shine through massive panes of window glass. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport1082-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • An exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). A British Airways airliner is parked at its Arrival/Departure gate in front of the bright lights that shine through huge window panes of glass. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport1081-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • An exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). A British Airways airliner is parked at its Arrival/Departure gate in front of the bright lights that shine through huge window panes of glass. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1081-11-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A young African mother allows her sleeping baby some well-earned rest at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. In the departures concourse the mum and her child await their check-in zone to open in this international aviation hub in West London. The infant sleeps soundly, wrapped to its mother's back in the traditional manner for carrying children in the developing world. It is a simple scene of everyday care for one's child and airport operator spent £4.3 billion on Terminal 5 which has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1068-11-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • A young African mother allows her sleeping baby some well-earned rest at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. In the departures concourse the mum and her child await their check-in zone to open in this international aviation hub in West London. The infant sleeps soundly, wrapped to its mother's back in the traditional manner for carrying children in the developing world. It is a simple scene of everyday care for one's child and airport operator spent £4.3 billion on Terminal 5 which has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1068-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • An exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). A lit airfield navigation taxiway sign shows the route number and code for pilots to find their way around the confusing network of taxiways and there are 1 million square metres of new apron and taxiway pavement for T5. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1073-11-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • An exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). A lit airfield navigation taxiway sign shows the route number and code for pilots to find their way around the confusing network of taxiways and there are 1 million square metres of new apron and taxiway pavement for T5. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport1073-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Airline passengers recently arrived from India wait in line at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 transit concourse. The middle-aged travellers queue patiently after their long-haul flight and two believe that masks will protect themselves from airborne diseases and infections, not wishing to be exposed to Swine Flu or perhaps SARS, in a hectic public place where such bacteria can be transmitted from one human being to another. But a lady at the front of the queue has lowered her mask while the man at the back keeps his covering the mouth and nose. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1015-11-08-2009_1.jpg
  • Airline passengers recently arrived from India wait in line at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 transit concourse. The middle-aged travellers queue patiently after their long-haul flight and two believe that masks will protect themselves from airborne diseases and infections, not wishing to be exposed to Swine Flu or perhaps SARS, in a hectic public place where such bacteria can be transmitted from one human being to another. But a lady at the front of the queue has lowered her mask while the man at the back keeps his covering the mouth and nose. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport1015-11-08-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Seen from the outside in early evening, the glass walls and glowing architecture of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, the largest free-standing building in the UK. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners) and opened in 2008 after a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport868-22-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • Seen from the outside in early evening, the glass walls and glowing architecture of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, the largest free-standing building in the UK. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners) and opened in 2008 after a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport868-22-07-2009_1.jpg
  • Looking up through a transparent floor, we see motionless passengers standing and waiting for a lift to arrive at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 'Heathrow Express' train link to central London. With their possessions of wheelie bags and a trolley laden wuth luggage, the unseen peoples' feet make a hard impression on the flooring with strong diagonal lines of this industrial design by architects HOK International in conjunction with Rogers, Stirk, Harbour & Partners. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport813-22-07-2009_1 1.jpg
  • An empty landscape of stark architecture situated on the ground floor of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 'Heathrow Express' train link station. Iron supporting pillars have been sunk into concrete making an aesthetic of industrial beauty amid the bustle of a major aviation airport hub. <br />
Designed by architects HOK International in conjunction with Rogers, Stirk, Harbour & Partners. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).
    heathrow_airport805-22-07-2009_1.jpg
  • Looking up through a transparent floor, we see motionless passengers standing and waiting for a lift to arrive at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 'Heathrow Express' train link to central London. With their possessions of wheelie bags and a trolley laden wuth luggage, the unseen peoples' feet make a hard impression on the flooring with strong diagonal lines of this industrial design by architects HOK International in conjunction with Rogers, Stirk, Harbour & Partners. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...
    heathrow_airport813-22-07-2009_1.jpg
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