The new Terminal 2 – the home of Star Alliance at Heathrow – threw open its doors to welcome its first passengers this morning, marking the start of a new travel experience for the 12 million Star Alliance passengers who pass through this leading UK airport every year.

Star Alliance member airline United is the first to move in to the new facility, known as Terminal 2 | the Queen’s Terminal for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

All 23 Star Alliance airlines operating Heathrow will move over the next six months: the first time all member airlines will be co-located at the airport.

“After many years of planning and construction, tests and optimisation, we at Star Alliance are proud to welcome the first passengers into the new terminal,” said Star Alliance chief executive Mark Schwab.

“It is particularly fitting that one of our five founder members, United, should operate the first flights from this terminal, which sets new standards for Alliance customer service and seamless travel at this important hub airport.”

The first flight to arrive at the new terminal was United’s service UA958 from Chicago, which landed in London at 05:43 local time and reached gate B38 at 05:49, six minutes ahead of schedule.

The Boeing 767-300 had 178 passengers and 11 crew on board.

Terminal 2, designed by lead architect Luis Vidal, was jointly developed by Heathrow, Star Alliance and its member carriers, with the aim of establishing a true seamless hub at one of the world’s premier international airports.

Star Alliance chief executive Mark Schwab speaks to Breaking Travel News at the IATA AGM this week

Optimised for today’s air traveller, the facilities of the 23 Star Alliance airlines are integrated to an unprecedented level – laying the groundwork for customer service excellence.

Once all airlines are in residence, connections for transfer passengers will be smoother than ever before at Heathrow, with a standardised minimum connection time of just 60 minutes.

Move dates for the remaining 22 airlines have been carefully planned to ensure that each group of airlines has time to embed its operations before the next set of carriers moves in.

Air Canada, Air China and ANA will be the next new occupants, transferring their operations to T2 from June 18th.

In July, Aegean, EVA Air, THAI, and Turkish Airlines will move in, together with Avianca – which will launch a service between London and Bogota on July 4th.

After a break for the European summer holiday period, moves will resume in September with EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

Then finally, October sees the arrival of Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways, SWISS and TAP Portugal.

A positive tone for the passenger journey is set by the architectural design of the terminal, which uses natural light to create an open and airy atmosphere.

Its open-plan check-in facility is directly adjacent to the security area.

Passengers exit security on the top level of a two-tier international departures hall, with a clear view out onto the airport.

This is just one example of the logical passenger flows that underpin the terminal’s design.

Departing and arriving passengers pass through the building on different levels, guided by clear signage.

Transfer passengers follow a separate channel from the arrival gate to security and then join the departing passengers flow.

Technology is integrated into the terminal experience and will be used throughout to give the passenger control of their journey.

The check-in area has been specially designed for speed and efficiency.

Airlines are grouped in zones, while a row of 81 common use self-service kiosks can be used by any passenger to check in and/or print a bag tag before they proceed to a bag drop desk to hand their luggage to an agent.

Full-service traditional check-in desks are provided for the use of First Class, Business class and Star Alliance Gold passengers.

Premium passengers also have a fast-track option to speed them through the security checks.

Eight out of 12 gates at the T2B satellite will allow self-boarding, meaning passengers simply pass through a mechanical barrier to board their flight.

Four airline lounges will be available for premium passengers, including those with Star Alliance Gold status.

These are located in the main terminal building and the satellite, so eligible passengers can relax close to their gate.