Industry

Heathrow unveils newly upgraded private terminal for VIP guests

Heathrow has unveiled the first stage of the transformation of its world-renowned VIP offering. Now named The Windsor by Heathrow, the refurbishment and rebrand of the private terminal signals a new chapter in luxury travel, providing a discreet, luxury experience to high profile guests.

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Heathrow is a pioneer in luxury airport travel, launching the world’s first airport VIP service in the early sixties, initially serving diplomats and royalty exclusively. In 2008 the iconic service expanded its reach with the introduction of The Windsor Suite, and by 2009, the commercial service was officially rolled out, ready to support the London 2012 Olympics.

The VIP experience has been elevated once again with a fresh new identity for 2025, which has been captured on camera in a new collection by world-renowned photographer Rankin. The Windsor by Heathrow rebrand took eight months to deliver and cost over £3 million. This investment is in addition to the recently announced £2.3 billion investment plan to upgrade the airport over the next two years.


With prices starting at £3,812 (inc VAT) for up to 3 guests, the world class luxury service has been tailored to meet the needs of ultra high profile guests from world leaders to A-list celebrities – offering unmatched discretion, convenience and a seamless travel experience.

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.


Luxury interiors 

The first phase of the refurbishment focuses on The Windsor, home to eight private lounges and a stylish welcoming entrance lobby. Designed by the award-winning 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.

A private art gallery 

The Windsor suite doubles as a private art gallery, showcasing museum-worthy artworks from around the world. 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.
They come as part of an ongoing partnership with art consultant Tanya Baxter Contemporary. Baxter has over 25 years of experience in the Post-Modern, Modern British, and Contemporary Art markets, and is recognised as one of the world’s leading art consultants.


Door-to-plane service 

Operating 16 hours a day to accommodate global travellers, the service is designed to ensure a seamless and stress-free journey. Unique offerings include a chauffeur service that takes guests directly from their front door to their plane. And as the only airport service authorised to collect and drop off clients directly at their aircraft, customers can enjoy an unparalleled level of convenience.

Private Security, Immigration and Customs 

A dedicated Border Force officer is always on hand to handle private immigration services, ensuring no queues on arrival – a key benefit for some international travellers.
All airport formalities are taken care of by the VIP team. Guests simply provide their passports and documents to their host, and they handle the rest. The team ensures that luggage is collected or dropped off quickly and safely, whether guests are arriving or departing, allowing them to sit back and relax.


Personal touches  

Serving a select 50,000 guests annually, as part of Heathrow’s 83.9 million passengers, the VIP service is designed to offer a truly personalised touch. For special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries, the team goes the extra mile to make guests feel celebrated. Chefs are on hand to bake cakes for last-minute surprises and the Suite accommodates family pets, particularly dogs, when required.  Bespoke menus are often crafted for seasonal celebrations like Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and even Wimbledon. This February guests can enjoy sampling our guest sparkling English wine curtesy of the award winning Gusbourne Estate.

Personal Shopper 

Heathrow officially has the best airport shopping in the world, and – on request – guests at The Windsor can enjoy their own Personal Shopper, who will navigate the back corridors of Heathrow to take guests discretely to their favourite stores in Terminal 5.