CHICAGO -- American Airlines said it will open a check-in facility
for first and business class passengers at London's Heathrow
Airport early next year.
Passengers will bypass Heathrow's Terminal 3 check-in area and
instead use the new check-in, called the Park Lane facility,
An elevator will then take passengers to the departures
lounge.
Park Lane will have its own canopied entrance and car lane
opposite Terminal 3's departure building.
The facility also will feature eight staffing positions to
handle ticketing, reservations, check-in, baggage, and security
procedures.
According to Jeff Campbell, American's vice president, Europe,
the design will reflect the atmosphere of the carrier's first class
Flagship Lounge at Heathrow.
"Park Avenue will ensure the very best start to our passengers'
travel experience, away from the busy Terminal 3 check-in. No other
airline at Heathrow can make the same offer," he said.
American operates 16 flights a day to Heathrow from Boston,
Chicago's O'Hare, New York's Kennedy, Newark, Miami and Los
Angeles.