As the new Terminal 2 prepares to open later this year, Heathrow Airport has carrying out tests with members of the general public pretending to be a passenger.
This Saturday is the last of the trials, and they still have places left if you want to get an early view of the new terminal building.
It’s a bit of a slog frankly, and last time I did one they refused to let us take photos — but can be fun if you want to do something a little bit different.
You need to register for the T2 Trials, then reserve a slot for the trials this weekend.
Warning – don’t use your normal web password when registering, as they send you the confirmation email with your password, in plain text for anyone to see.
Considering their weird and very tight password rules, to send your supposedly secure password in plain text via an email is a hideous security mistake.
While you are there though, take a trip over to Terminal 5, and have a play on their private pod railway.
Looks like registration is closed 🙁
Booo “Thank you for your interest in helping us get Terminal 2 ready. Unfortunately registration for trials is currently closed”
I went to the trial on April 30th, where they were more than happy for us to “snap away”, except in the Security check area and the Immigration check area. Worth having a wander back up to the check-in area afterwards to see it pretty-well deserted – a rare sight once it’s all operational.
They’ve positively encouraged photos on the two trials I’ve been to. Only the usual areas of passport control & security screening are supposed to be off limits. Even there its not impossible to take some.
WiFi is free in the Terminal too – usual 45 min rule applies as per the rest of Heathrow.
Geeks were there in droves – searching out spots to find the best spots to photograph the runways from. A lot of the Southern side of the Terminal is blocked by the gates themselves. Try to get Terminal 2B – nicer than than the main building in some ways, and some better views – East onto Concorde and the maintenance area. (To get to 2B, need to be on a test flight that uses it, so ask when picking up your scenarios).