The 4:34am train is now the first service of the day to reach Heathrow, arriving just 15 minutes after departure and running non-stop to the terminal—perfect for passengers with tight check-in times, easing the stress of early-morning travel.

By booking 45 days or more in advance, travellers can snap up a one-way ticket for just £10.00, making Heathrow Express the go-to choice for those seeking speed, comfort, and reliability without the hefty price tag. With children under 15 travelling free, it’s an even smarter, cost-effective option for families.

Aoife Considine, Business Lead at Heathrow Express, said: “By looking closely at how and when our passengers travel, we identified a clear need for earlier services to help people reach 6am departures. Our new 4:34am train is designed to make those early flights easier to catch. With just a 15-minute journey from Central London to Heathrow, it’s a smarter and more efficient way to travel, helping you arrive calm, prepared, and with time to start your day right. It also offers a reliable and sustainable option for Heathrow colleagues commuting to earlier shifts, supporting both operational needs and our wider environmental goals.”

The flag carrier will fly between London Gatwick and Entebbe four times a week, utilising its state-of-the art Airbus A330-800neo, offering convenient connections for both business and leisure travellers. 

The airport says the new route is a “significant milestone” in Gatwick’s strategy to develop routes across Africa, following the arrival of Ethiopian Airlines in November 2023, and shows the airport’s commitment to expanding its reach into high-growth markets. The flight times will also provide seamless onward connections to 14 destinations throughout sub-Sharan Africa.   

The direct link to Entebbe is expected to boost trade, tourism and investment between the UK and Uganda. In 2024, total UK trade with Uganda was valued at £606m, with UK exports to Uganda totalling £483m. With more than 200,000 Ugandans residing in the UK, the new service is poised to meet the growing demand for direct travel options, fostering closer ties between the two nations. 

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick said: “We are delighted to welcome Uganda Airlines to London Gatwick. This new route not only strengthens our position as a key gateway to Africa but also supports our vision of fostering economic growth and connectivity, particularly among new markets across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.  

Jennifer Bamuturaki, CEO, Uganda Airlines said: “This new London route marks a major milestone in Uganda Airlines’ expansion strategy and reinforces our mission to connect Uganda to the world.  

“We are thrilled to offer UK travellers a direct, convenient path to the Pearl of Africa where they can experience unrivalled wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and warm Ugandan hospitality. We invite the world to come and discover the magic of our country.” 

The UK’s largest scheduled coach operator has introduced faster journeys and an increase in services ahead of the Easter getaway. Tickets are available now from £7 one way.

National Express is increasing the frequency of daily services between Birmingham and Heathrow from 22 to 27 services a day. At the same time 18 of its fastest services will become even quicker than rail services, meaning customers can reach the airport in as little as 2 hours 15 minutes.

Services to London Gatwick are also increasing, arriving at the airport within 3 hours 25 minutes – shaving nearly 30 minutes off the current journey times from Birmingham.

Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express, said: “We are thrilled to be introducing even faster, better connectivity between Birmingham, Heathrow, and Gatwick, with some coach journeys quicker than rail but at a much lower price.

“This latest investment in services from Birmingham means we are offering over double the number of services and faster journey times than any other operator, making it easier than ever for savvy holidaymakers to get to the airport. 

“Customers can skip the hassle of hauling luggage or changing trains with our direct service from Birmingham Coach Station straight to the airport terminal door. Combined with a brilliant customer experience, travellers can sit back, relax and enjoy a stress-free start to the holidays.” 

Sophie Chapman, Surface Access Director at Heathrow, said:  “As part of our commitment to reaching net-zero, Heathrow is dedicated to encouraging the use of sustainable travel options at the airport. Heathrow’s extensive coach network provides direct services to many towns and cities across the country, and we are very pleased that journey times between Birmingham and the airport are about to get even quicker and more frequent.”

Customers can expect a safe and comfortable experience on board, with leather reclining seats, free Wi-Fi on selected services, USB charging points and a generous luggage allowance of up to 20kg. 

Low cost coach services between Heathrow and coastal destinations in the south of England have been announced.

A new partnership between global travel brand FlixBus and operator Excelsior has been unveiled, bringing FlixBus coach services to the South of England for the first time from 15 May. Cruise ship passengers using Heathrow will be able to reach Southampton Docks via the route with the aid of a local taxi.

The partnership will add Southampton, Bournemouth, and Poole to the FlixBus network, with tickets available to purchase now starting from £4.49.

The new routes will connect the South of England to Heathrow Airport and London, with services operating five times a day in each direction.

“Our new partnership with Excelsior completes our network and achieves full coverage of the UK for FlixBus, marking a key milestone in our growth journey and road to market leadership,” said Andreas Schorling, Senior Managing Director of FlixBus UK.

Excelsior will introduce four Temsa HD12 vehicles to the network, each featuring FlixBus’s signature green branding.

David Lee-Kong, operations director at Excelsior, said: “FlixBus has brought the express coach market into the 21st century through its innovative model, advanced technology, and strong customer proposition.

“We are proud to be the first partner in the South of England, supporting the growth of FlixBus network and enhancing connectivity for residents across our key locations.”

The operator currently provides local services across Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and the Isle of Wight.

As the travel tech company approaches its fourth anniversary in the UK, FlixBus is accelerating its expansion, with over 200 FlixBus vehicles expected on the road by peak summer.

FlixBus advertising will be introduced on Excelsior vehicles and at stops across counties in the South of England.

“Excelsior has a fantastic local customer base and extensive experience in delivering high-quality express coach services,” added Schorling. “They are the ideal partner to bring our affordable, sustainable, and reliable transport brand to new cities in the South, and we are delighted to serve millions more passengers with the opportunity for travel this summer.”

Tickets can be purchased from www.flixbus.co.uk or the FlixBus App.

Now rebranded as the ‘Windsor by Heathrow’ it offers chauffeur driven car service to and from the aircraft and use of the eight private lounges in an area adjacent to the airport’s Terminal 5.

The rebranding has taken eight months to deliver at a cost of over £3 million.

With prices start at £3,812 (inc VAT) for up to 3 guests.

The Windsor by Heathrow offers a unique, luxury ‘door to door’ experience, with a chauffeur-driven, all-electric BMW taking guests from front door to plane door. Heathrow was recently awarded Best Private Airport Experience in the Forbes Travel Guide awards, highlighting its best-in-class service. 

The most popular destinations The Windsor serves include Doha, Riyadh, Dubai, Los Angeles and New York. Key Airlines include Etihad, Qatar, BA, American Airlines and Emirates, though guests travelling on First or Business Class can use The Windsor regardless of their airline or terminal. 

Charlotte Burns, VIP Lead at Heathrow, said: “The Windsor by Heathrow is more than just a rebrand, it’s a testament to our heritage in pioneering luxury travel. From our carefully curated interiors to our exceptional service, we provide our guests with an unparalleled experience that reflects the finest of British hospitality. From the moment you step out of your front door, to the second you board your plane, we ensure that every detail is taken care of – making your journey seamless, relaxing and unforgettable.” 

The first phase of the refurbishment focuses on The Windsor, home to eight private lounges and a stylish welcoming entrance lobby. Designed by the Oliver Burns Studio, the interiors blend “thoughtful luxury with contemporary elegance”.

The redesigned spaces feature bright and inviting aesthetics, complemented by bespoke furnishings designed in house, and crafted by local artisans. 

The spaces are accented with curated British design elements, including Axminster carpets in soft hues. Collaborations with luxury brands like Tom Dixon and Commune add layers of refinement, helping to evoke a ‘home away from home’ ambience, emphasising comfort and special details.  

Modern British artists such as David Hockney, Tracey Emin and Francis Bacon, as well as American icons like Andy Warhol, feature on the walls. Guests can purchase them at the click of a button, through a QR code hanging next to each artwork.   

The art collection is refreshed every two months, offering an ever evolving yet timeless experience for visitors. This month the collection features ‘Nola (White Rain 2008)’ by Banksy and ‘Diamond Dust Show (1980)’ by Andy Warhol. 

Guests can enjoy exclusive fine dining options from Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, including a new signature dish to mark a new era of The Windsor; English butter shortbread with praline cream, Earl Grey tea ice cream, custard sauce and charred mandarin. Atherton has curated the menu since 2016. 

Sharon Lillywhite, Founder and Creative Director of Oliver Burns Studio, comments: “We are thrilled to have collaborated on The Windsor by Heathrow, creating an atmosphere that blends the best of British luxury with contemporary design. The space is a statement of what it means to travel well, with every detail thoughtfully considered to offer the ultimate comfort and elegance.” 

The situation was further complicated by an assertion several days later by the head of the National Grid, that there was, in fact, enough power to keep the main elements of Britain’s largest airport operational and and able to cope with a steady stream of takeoffs and landings.

The fire at the substation a few hours outside Heathrow’s main terminals was brought under control within a few hours, but the impact was huge and ongoing for the rest of the day. A huge number of incoming aircraft had to divert to other airports, and a significant catalogue of takeoffs were postponed with the inevitable disruption to passenger schedules.

Politicians have also waded in with complaints that the foreign-owned airport has insufficient resilience to cope with seemingly minor incidents and is especially vulnerable to terrorist activity.

Heathrow is one of the world’s most important hubs and the home to British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.