London Heathrow Airport (LHR), renowned for its connectivity, prestige, and congestion is one of the busiest and most prestigious aviation hubs in the world. With its slots being the most sought-after in the world, securing a take-off or landing slot here is akin to striking gold for airlines.
But which carriers have the largest share of this coveted asset? In this article, we delve into the allocation of slots for Summer 2025, examining which airlines have the most access and how this reflects the dynamics of the aviation industry.
Before diving into the data, let’s clarify what a “slot” means. A slot represents permission for an airline to use the airport’s runway and terminal facilities at specific times. These are tightly regulated due to the airport’s capacity constraints, making them highly valuable and fiercely contested. The allocation process, overseen by Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), aims to ensure fair access while optimizing airport usage. Slots are allocated twice a year in Summer and Winter, and Heathrow’s operational limits make its slots extremely competitive.
For Summer 2025, a total of 290,495 slots were distributed among airlines, representing take-offs and landings.

London Heathrow Slots: Top 10 Carriers
1. British Airways (BA): 147,510 Slots
With a staggering 147,510 allocated slots, British Airways unsurprisingly dominates the operations at Heathrow, controlling over 50% of the total slots. As the airport’s primary hub carrier, BA leverages its dominance to operate a vast network of domestic, European, and intercontinental routes.
The British flag carrier primarily operates in and out of Terminal 5, with additional operations in Terminal 3 for select routes. With a monopoly on Terminal 5 and nearly half the airport’s total slots at Heathrow, this solidifies BA’s role as a linchpin in Heathrow’s operations and the global aviation market.
2. Virgin Atlantic (VS): 12,660 Slots
Virgin Atlantic has secured 12,660 slots for the Summer 2025. Known for its long-haul routes, particularly to North America, the Caribbean, and Asia, Virgin Atlantic continues to grow its presence.
Virgin Atlantic, holding the second-highest number of slots at Heathrow Airport, operates notable routes to destinations such as Los Angeles (LAX), Barbados (BGI), and Delhi (DEL). Its operations are centered in Terminal 3, where the airline prioritizes delivering premium services and an exceptional customer experience.

3. American Airlines (AA): 10,500 Slots
American Airlines ranks second with 10,500 slots. AA focuses heavily on transatlantic routes as part of the Oneworld alliance alongside British Airways.
Key routes operated by American Airlines include New York’s JFK, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and Miami (MIA). Its partnership with British Airways allows for seamless connections for passengers traveling between Europe and the Americas.
4. Aer Lingus (EI): 9,060 Slots
Aer Lingus has been allocated 9,060 slots for the Summer 2025 season, marking a significant presence at Heathrow. As Ireland’s national carrier, Aer Lingus is a key player in connecting the United Kingdom with Ireland and North America.
Known for its transatlantic routes, the airline operates popular flights to destinations like New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), and Chicago (ORD), alongside a comprehensive network of European routes.
5. Lufthansa (LH): 8,760 Slots
With 8,760 allocated slots, Lufthansa is the largest European carrier at Heathrow outside of the United Kingdom. The German airline uses these slots for connections to its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.
Lufthansa primarily focuses on short-haul routes, seamlessly connecting Europe with destinations across the globe. As a member of the Star Alliance, it provides extensive connectivity and access to a wide-ranging network of partner airlines.

6. United Airlines (UA): 8,400 Slots
United Airlines holds 8,400 slots, reflecting its strong transatlantic presence. Operating out of Terminal 2, United connects Heathrow with key cities across the United States. United Airlines’ key routes include Chicago (ORD), Newark (EWR), and Washington D.C. (IAD). The airline primarily serves business travelers and tourists traveling between the U.S. and the UK.
Beyond the top five, several other airlines maintain a significant presence at Heathrow. Here are some notable mentions:
7. Scandinavian Airlines (SK): 6,179 Slots
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has secured 6,179 slots for Summer 2025, underscoring its continued commitment to connecting Scandinavia with the global aviation network. With a strong focus on transatlantic and European routes, SAS serves major cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo, alongside numerous direct flights to key North American destinations including New York (JFK) and Chicago (ORD).
8. Swiss International Air Lines (LX): 4,980 Slots
Swiss International Air Lines has been allocated 4,980 slots, reinforcing its status as a key European carrier operating at Heathrow. Known for its efficiency, service quality, and strong global connectivity, Swiss offers direct flights to Zurich and Geneva, connecting travelers to its Swiss hub and onward to key international destinations.

9. Eurowings (EW): 4,920 Slots
Eurowings, the low-cost arm of the Lufthansa Group, has been allocated 4,920 slots at Heathrow for Summer 2025. With a focus on providing affordable options for travelers across Europe, Eurowings serves a wide range of destinations, particularly in Germany and other European cities.
10. Delta Air Lines (DL): 4,860 Slots
Delta Airlines has been allocated 4,860 slots, enabling robust operations at its key hubs. The airline specializes in transatlantic routes, with notable connections to major U.S. cities such as Atlanta and Boston.

Other Notable Carriers
Qatar Airways (QR)
With 2,940 slots allocated, Qatar Airways will operate an average of seven daily flights between London and Doha. Through its expansive Middle Eastern hub network, the airline offers travelers access to a wide range of global destinations.
Emirates (EK)
Emirates, with 2,940 slots allocated, operates six daily flights connecting London to its primary hub in Dubai (DXB). Renowned for its massive Airbus A380 operations, the Dubai-based carrier offers a premium travel experience on this crucial routes, ensuring capacity and comfort for passengers traveling between the UK and the Middle East.

Singapore Airlines (SQ)
Singapore Airlines, with its valuable 1,800 slots continues to prioritize its flagship long-haul route between Singapore and London. This connection underscores the airline’s commitment to linking Southeast Asia with Europe while delivering its signature premium travel experience.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL)
KLM has been allocated 3,180 slot movements, with a primary focus on enhancing connections through Amsterdam and expanding intra-Europe flight services.
Airlines | Demanded Slots | Allocated Slots |
British Airways (BA) | 147,540 | 147,510 |
Virgin Atlantic (VS) | 15,600 | 12,660 |
American Airlines (AA) | 10,500 | 10,500 |
Aer Lingus (EI) | 9,060 | 9,060 |
Lufthansa (LH) | 9,600 | 8,760 |
United Airlines (UA) | 8,400 | 8,400 |
Scandinavian Airlines (SK) | 6,660 | 6,179 |
Swiss International Air Lines (LX) | 6,240 | 4,980 |
Eurowings (EW) | 4,920 | 4,920 |
Delta Air Lines (DL) | 5,820 | 4,860 |
Emerging Airlines at Heathrow
While major airlines dominate, smaller and newer entrants are making their mark, albeit with fewer slots. Noteworthy examples include:
- Air Serbia (JU): 540 slots, focused on Eastern Europe connections.
- airBaltic (BT): 900 slots, serving the Baltic states.
- Vistara (UK): 420 slots, representing India’s growing aviation footprint. Note that these slots has been re-allocated to Air India, following the merger of the two carriers.
- Ethiopian Airlines (ET): 420 slots, connecting London with Addis Ababa.
Moreover, these airlines face challenges in competing with established giants but use their slots to carve out niche markets.

London Heathrow Slots Demand vs. Allocation
Heathrow’s constrained capacity means not all slot requests are fulfilled. The demand for slots in Summer 2025 totaled 319,223 movements, leaving a gap of nearly 30,000 unfulfilled requests. Airlines like Air India, China Eastern, and Kenya Airways had significant discrepancies between their requested and allocated slots.
For instance: Air India requested 3,900 movements but received only 1,860, curbing its ability to expand operations. Similarly, China Eastern Airlines (MU) demanded 1,260 slots, of which just 420 were allocated, whereas Ethiopian Airlines (ET) secured 420 slots despite a demand of 840.
This further highlights the fierce competition and limited growth potential for some carriers.
Terminal Breakdown: Movements and Passenger Capacity
London Heathrow’s operations are distributed across several terminals, each serving a mix of domestic and international flights. Here’s a breakdown of movements and passenger seats by terminal for Summer 2025:
Terminal | Movements | % of Total Movements | Seats | % of Total Seats |
Terminal 2 Domestic | 6,660 | 2.29% | 935,350 | 1.45% |
Terminal 2 International | 65,193 | 22.45% | 13,843,023 | 21.52% |
Terminal 3 International | 60,779 | 20.93% | 16,228,637 | 25.23% |
Terminal 4 International | 25,252 | 8.70% | 6,517,876 | 10.13% |
Terminal 5 Domestic | 22,440 | 7.73% | 3,952,140 | 6.15% |
Terminal 5 International | 108,930 | 37.51% | 22,834,410 | 35.51% |
FRT (Freight) | 1,110 | 0.38% | 0 | 0.00% |
Total | 290,364 | 100% | 64,311,436 | 100% |
Terminal 5 emerges as the powerhouse, handling over 37% of all movements and 35.51% of total seats. This terminal’s prominence is driven by British Airways, which operates a significant portion of its flights from here.

London Heathrow Slots: A Strategic Asset
For airlines, Heathrow slots are not just operational necessities but strategic assets that drive revenue and brand prestige. Here’s why they matter:
- Profitability: Heathrow routes are among the most lucrative in the world due to high demand.
- Connectivity: Slots allow airlines to offer seamless connections to global markets.
- Market Presence: Dominance at Heathrow reinforces an airline’s global standing.
Conclusion: The High-Stakes Game of London Heathrow Slots
The allocation of London Heathrow slots for Summer 2025 reveals a dynamic yet competitive aviation landscape. While British Airways continues to dominate, airlines like American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa play pivotal roles in maintaining Heathrow’s global connectivity.

At the same time, emerging carriers are carving out niches, vying for a share of this high-stakes market. As Heathrow evolves with potential expansion plans and sustainability initiatives, the race for slots will only intensify. For now, the distribution of these coveted slots highlights the intricate balance of power in one of the world’s most prestigious aviation hubs.
For passengers, these slots translate into a diverse array of travel options, connecting London to destinations worldwide. For airlines, they represent a gateway to profitability and prestige making the race for slots at Heathrow as fierce as ever.
Please join our Telegram Channel for the latest aviation updates.
1 Comment
Pingback: Singapore Airlines A350 Diverts Twice to London Gatwick - Aero World