Heathrow Airport Welcomes NFL Teams for London Games Celebration

Heathrow Airport Welcomes NFL Teams for London Games Celebration

(IN BRIEF) Heathrow Airport is gearing up to host NFL teams and fans as they arrive in the UK for the much-anticipated 2024 NFL London Games. To mark this occasion, the airport is unveiling its own “gameday stats” and honoring its dedicated staff, referred to as the “MVPs,” who enhance the travel experience for all passengers. Heathrow stands out as the leading European airport with the most direct routes to the USA, making it a key travel hub for American sports enthusiasts. The airport’s Northern Runway is the longest in the UK, and it connects travelers to 234 destinations worldwide, including 31 U.S. cities that are home to NFL teams. This year, Heathrow is expected to accommodate over 82 million passengers, significantly surpassing the capacity of the New Orleans Saints’ stadium, where the upcoming Super Bowl will take place. Notable milestones in Heathrow’s history include hosting The Beatles upon their return from America and being the official airport for the 2012 Olympics. As the NFL teams prepare for their matches in London, Heathrow is proud to play a vital role in facilitating access to international sporting events.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 10-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Heathrow Airport is rolling out the red carpet for NFL teams and fans arriving in the UK for the highly anticipated 2024 NFL London Games. To celebrate this grand occasion, the airport has launched its own gameday stats and is honoring its “MVPs”—the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to enhance the passenger experience. As the main entry point for NFL enthusiasts from around the globe, Heathrow is solidifying its status as the international gateway to one of the year’s most exciting sporting events.

Heathrow boasts the highest number of direct routes to the USA of any European airport, making it a prime travel hub for American sports aficionados eager to catch their favorite teams live.

Every day, passengers utilize Heathrow to attend remarkable events, ranging from unforgettable concerts to historic sporting occasions. The airport prides itself on its impressive achievements and its exceptional team.

Heathrow’s Gameday Stats & Facts

• The Northern Runway at Heathrow is the UK’s longest, stretching 3,902 meters (4,267 yards), which is 35.5 times the length of an American football field.
• As the UK’s international hub, Heathrow connects travelers to 234 destinations across over 85 countries and regions.
• Among the 31 U.S. cities with direct flights from Heathrow, 28 are home to NFL teams, which together have secured 41 Super Bowl trophies since the championship’s inception in 1967.
• Approximately 80 airlines operate from Heathrow, with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and American Airlines offering the most routes.
• This year, Heathrow’s terminals have recorded over 178,000 touchdown moments, with Terminal 5 leading the way by welcoming 80,000 incoming flights, followed by Terminal 2 with 45,000, Terminal 3 with 37,000, and Terminal 4 with 16,000.
• In 2024, over 82 million passengers are projected to pass through Heathrow, surpassing 1,100 times the capacity of the Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, where Super Bowl LIX will be held in 2025.
• Heathrow employs around 90,000 individuals, the real MVPs who ensure the airport operates smoothly every day.

Heathrow’s Biggest Plays

Since its inauguration as a commercial airport on May 31, 1946, Heathrow has witnessed numerous historic milestones.

• In 1955, Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated Heathrow’s first passenger terminal, the Queen’s Building. She returned in June 2014 to open the current Terminal 2, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
• On February 22, 1964, over 4,000 fans gathered at Heathrow to welcome The Beatles back to London after their groundbreaking first trip to North America.
• The iconic opening scene of the film Love Actually was filmed at Heathrow Terminal 3 in 2002.
• In 2012, Heathrow served as the official host airport for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, constructing a temporary terminal to accommodate over 10,000 athletes and approximately 80% of the Olympic visitors.
• On November 28, 2023, Virgin Atlantic’s Flight 100 from Heathrow to New York JFK became the first commercial flight to utilize 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
• In September, Heathrow was named the most connected airport in the world for the second consecutive year by OAG’s Megahubs 2024 report.

Among the NFL teams and supporters that Heathrow will welcome over the next two weeks are the Minnesota Vikings, who arrived at Terminal 3 ahead of their game against the New York Jets. On October 13, the Jacksonville Jaguars will face the Chicago Bears, followed by a match against the New England Patriots on October 20. As the UK’s premier international gateway, Heathrow is proud to facilitate access to iconic global sporting and cultural events, including the annual NFL London Games.

About Heathrow  

Heathrow is the UK’s international gateway and the largest airport in Europe – connecting to 234 destinations in over 85 nations and regions. The airport welcomes over 200,000 passengers on roughly 1,300 flights each day, and serves as Britain’s hub for trade, tourism and investment. Approximately 90,000 colleagues work at Heathrow – the airport directly employs about 10% of them, with the rest working for Team Heathrow partners including airlines, ground handlers and retailers.

Media Contact:

Email: media_centre@heathrow.com
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8745 7224

SOURCE: Heathrow Airport