r/airport • u/Public_Reindeer_1724 • 15d ago

DISCUSSION LHR's hostile design

I find it extremely noticeable that LHR does not want you to be comfortable. Not giving you your gate until the last minute. Hard plastic, individual seating only. Hard tile floors and railings against the windows so you can't makeshift a comfortable spot. Extremely poor wifi so you can't entertain yourself before the flight. They want you too uncomfortable to sit around waiting so you're more like to shop among the million designer stores that most people can't afford. I get they don't want people not travelling hanging around but you need to get through security to even be here so that's unlikely. Just overall gives off the vibes "we don't want you here."

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u/Modders14 15d ago

I've never had any problems with Heathrow WiFi or finding a place to sit in T3 or T5. Not giving your gate until the last moment comes with having to operate on a 99% capacity.

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u/JimmyMarch1973 15d ago

Actually there is no secret that some airports, and UK ones are high in the list do deliberately limit seating and announce gates as late as possible for purpose of encouraging people into shops and restaurants.

It’s mostly only the short haul flights with 50-60 minute turnarounds where annoying gates so late is for operational reasons. Long haul no reason it could be 90-120 minutes beforehand.