The first time I was in London was on a trip to Manchester and Duesseldorf,
Germany with Gordon Plummer in 1972. I had just transferred to Cleveland,
Ohio with TRW’s Automotive Worldwide Group. We flew to Heathrow on a Pan Am
flight on one of their older 707 jet liners. I made two other trips in 707
aircraft before everyone switched to the new, marvelously huge Boeing 747
airplanes. In 1973 more then 50% of the world’s 747 fleet was parked every
morning at a gate in a very congested London Heathrow Airport.

Located on the western edge of London, Heathrow was a converted Royal Air
Force base. The runways went east and west on the outside of the airport
operations. Not much has changed in the meantime. There are now 4
terminals, the airport is now extremely crowded, and there is little hope
for change. Even though two other international airports have been built
around London, they are too far out of town and are themselves too small.

It’s been more than 30 years since my first wide-eyed trip through London
Heathrow. All of the buildings standing then are standing now, I’ll wager,
with many new buildings joining them. The runways are still East and West.
You either fly over London or over Windsor Castle on arrival or departure.
In this age of unbridled terrorism, the flight routes are considered a huge
security risk, but few other alternatives are available.

I’m sure that for the rest of my travelling career, London Heathrow Airport
will always be part of that travel. I still enjoy the thrill of hearing the
flight attendants’ announcements as we prepare to “land at London Heathrow
Airport”.

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