As part of this project, Virgin Atlantic was assigned its own dedicated check-in area, known as 'Zone A', which features a large sculpture and atrium.

[4] Heathrow Airport Limited also has plans for a £1 billion upgrade of the rest of the terminal over the next ten years[when?]

American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Iberia, and Qantas are the other major users of the terminal.

British Airways, Finnair and Iberia are the only short haul airlines flying from this terminal.

Both airlines moved back to join their fellow SkyTeam members at the reopened Terminal 4 in March 2023.

As of 12 July 2022, it is one of the global hubs of the International Airlines Group after Iberia moved in from Terminal 5.

Delta moved all flights to Terminal 3 on 14 September 2016 to ease connections with partner Virgin Atlantic.

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

London Underground services can also be used to transfer to Terminals 4 and 5 (the former requiring a change of train at Hatton Cross) free.

As part of the two central terminals at Heathrow, it is 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.