The old Terminal 2 had an area of 49,654 square metres (534,470 sq ft) and in its lifetime saw 316 million passengers pass through its doors.

Despite the efforts of maintenance staff and various renovations and upgrades over the years, the building became increasingly decrepit and unserviceable.

Approval for the new terminal, originally named Heathrow East, was granted by the then-Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and Hillingdon Council in May 2007.

2A was designed by Luis Vidal + Architects (LVA) and built by a joint venture between Ferrovial and Laing O'Rourke.

The new Terminal 2 is designed to produce 40% fewer carbon dioxide emissions than the buildings it has replaced.

[14] 20% of this target will be achieved through energy efficiency design technology elements, such as high levels of insulation, a comprehensive colour changing LED lighting installation designed by StudioFractal and extensive natural lighting.

The remaining 20% carbon reduction will be due to the new T2 Energy Centre, via biomass CHP fuelled by woodchips from local renewable resources, will provide heating and cooling to both Heathrow Terminal 2 and Heathrow Terminal 5.

Phase 1 was once expected to be completed in 2012, in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics but, as construction started much later than proposed it only opened in June 2014.

[17] Demolition of the original airport control tower which formed part of the Central Terminal Area of the airport began in January 2013 and was completed in autumn 2013, to make way for connecting roads that have been built to link with the new Terminal 2.

It has been designed to resemble a stunt aircraft in flight, and has been described as the longest permanent sculpture in Europe.

Only Scandinavian Airlines (a former Star Alliance partner, now currently working with Skyteam) still operates their services at Heathrow in and out from Terminal 2.

Beginning 14 June 2022, ITA Airways, Saudia, TAROM and Vietnam Airlines moved back to Terminal 4 on different days.

On 12 August 2021, JetBlue began their first transatlantic services to/from John F. Kennedy International Airport on Airbus A321LR aircraft.

Aer Lingus and Loganair serve UK domestic and Irish flights from this terminal.

Thai Airways International previously operated the Airbus A380 on one of two daily flights until retiring all of their A380s in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Terminals 4 and 5 can be reached by the free Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express rail service.

[29] As part of the two central terminals at Heathrow, it is well linked to the M4 motorway via the M4 spur road and through a tunnel under the north runway.

Additionally, RailAir coach services provide coach connections between Heathrow bus station (see below) and rail stations in Reading and Woking, with integrated ticketing available for continuing journeys to regional and long-distance destinations via the National Rail network.