TAM to move to London Heathrow Terminal 1

TAM Airlines, the largest airline in South America, is to relocate its’ London Heathrow operations from Terminal 4 to Terminal 1 on Sunday, 28 March 2010. The move is part of TAM’s full integration into the Star Alliance.

“The move to Terminal 1 is an important step in improving the overall travel experience of our passengers and for TAM to maximise the benefits of becoming a full member of the Star Alliance,” says Paulo Castelo Branco, TAM’s Commercial and Planning Vice-President. “London Heathrow is one of the world most important international hubs. The move to Terminal 1 will allow TAM, in partnership with our Star Alliance colleagues, to offer more convenient connections to more destinations over London than ever before. The facilities at Terminal 1 will also help and benefit our customers who are starting or ending their trip in London. The UK-Brazil route is a very important one for TAM, and we are proud to have been serving Heathrow since October 2006.”

Passengers flying on TAM from Terminal 1 can look forward to a substantial improvement in their travel experience from Heathrow, as compared to Terminal 4. The move to Terminal 1 will also facilitate connections with TAM’s new Star Alliance partners who operate from both Terminal 1 and 3. Star Alliance is the largest alliance operating out of the core Central Area at Heathrow.

TAM passengers will benefit from the new layout of Terminal 1, with check-in and ticketing facilities located in the redesigned main concourse. Airside, beyond customs and passport control, eligible TAM customers will have use of the highly regarded Star Alliance First and Business Class Lounge that is located in the duty-free shopping area close to the Star Alliance Flight Connections Desk.

The move to Terminal 1 coincides with the start of British Summer Time. The daily TAM Boeing 777-300 ER service to São Paulo’s Guarulho’s Airport (JJ 8085) will, as of 28 March, depart from Heathrow Terminal 1 at 22.05 and land the following day in São Paulo at 05.35, where there are onward connections to many other domestic Brazilian destinations as well as international destinations in South America. The daily London bound service (JJ 8084) will leave São Paulo at the end of the working day at 23.40, arriving in London the following day at 15.00. The aircraft offers four flat sleeper-seat First Class units, 56 seats in business and 302 in economy, and flight times in both directions are designed to maximise convenience and connecting services at both ends of the route.

The Central Area, where Terminal 1 is located, is the only area at Heathrow that has direct access to the full range of public transport: Heathrow Express and the London Connect Service, all Underground trains to Central London as well as all local and regional bus services.

To coincide with the move to Terminal 1, TAM will also be relocating its management and commercial offices in the UK from Terminal 4 to Landmark House, which is located 12 miles to the east of Heathrow in Hammersmith in central London.