Airliners.net

Does anyone know whether they are including an observation deck in the new Terminal 5 construction plan at LHR?

Pretty sure there isnt one planned at T5, at least thats the vibe on a.net and other places.

I think there is more chance of Virgin Atlantic operating Concordes than having a viewing deck at T5!

That car park there looks like it will be fabulous for photography - but I imagine they'll put up the "Viewing prohibited - please leave the area immediately" signs like on the T3 car park.

I can't understand why they prohibit viewing at Heathrow. They say its the security situation post September 11th is to blame.

What can happen from an observation deck?

It's not like an terrorist with shoulder launch heat seeking missile is going to go unnoticed amongst all the spotters on the viewing deck?

I reckon its down to money! It will cost them too much to operate a viewing deck!

They could always put up a sign: Heat Seeking Missiles Prohibited, Terrorists Please Leave the Area Immediately.

Knowing BAA, they'll probably build an indoor observation deck looking out over the huge Terminal 5 shopping area. There will be maps and guides explaining each shop, what it sells, and where to find other locations at Heathrow (the Sock Shop map will cover a whole wall.) There will even be a live feed on a loudspeaker, so you can listen to the employees at Costa Coffee taking drink orders.

I think people here are getting far too excited about Terminal 5. It looks like a beautiful building with lots of glass and natural light, but remember that we're dealing with BAA here. They'll find a way to muck it up, and at the end of the day it will just be another shopping center with HSBC-logo jetways attached to it.