Yes, the official Heathrow app is worth downloading for most travellers: it's free, tracks your flight with live updates, shows security wait times before you leave for the airport, and gives step-by-step door-to-gate directions. It's the official app from Heathrow Airport Limited, rated 4.7 stars on the Apple App Store and 4.3 stars on Google Play. Checked 2026.
What the Heathrow app actually does
Track your flight
Add your flight number and the app pulls live updates throughout your journey. For a departing flight, it shows your check-in zone, bag drop information, security wait times, gate information and boarding updates as they're confirmed. For an arriving flight, it shows baggage reclaim information and immigration wait times where available, plus your onward travel options. If you're connecting through Heathrow, adding both your inbound and outbound flight numbers brings up a personalised connection guide.
Door-to-gate guidance
The app can guide you step by step from home to your departure gate, with live updates along the way, so you know what's next without having to check multiple screens around the terminal.
Personalised recommendations
Based on your flight and route through the terminal, the app suggests shops and restaurants along the way, rather than listing everything in the building regardless of relevance.
Reserve & Collect
The app links to Heathrow's Reserve & Collect shopping service: browse duty-free and other airport shopping online, reserve your items ahead of time, and collect and pay in the terminal before you fly, rather than browsing and queuing on the day. Heathrow Rewards members earn extra points on Reserve & Collect purchases.
Parking and other bookings
You can book and manage Heathrow parking through the app, alongside other extras such as lounge access, in the same place you're already tracking your flight.
Is the Heathrow app actually worth it?
For most travellers flying from or into Heathrow, yes. The live security wait time is the single most useful feature if you're deciding when to leave for the airport, and the immigration wait time on arrival is handy for anyone being collected, since they can time their arrival at the airport around it. It's free, official (published by Heathrow Airport Limited, not a third party), and doesn't require an account just to check flight information. The main reason to skip it is if you're a very occasional, light-luggage traveller with no interest in parking, lounges or shopping ahead — in that case the Heathrow website covers the same core flight-tracking information without an install.
Where to get it
The app is called "LHR London Heathrow Airport" and is free to download for iPhone, Apple Watch and Android, published directly by Heathrow Airport Limited. Search for it by name in the App Store or Google Play, or find the download links on Heathrow's own mobile apps page.
Related reading
For booking parking directly, see our parking page. For what you'll see at security once you arrive, see our guide to Heathrow fast track security. For everything else about getting through the airport smoothly, see our special assistance guide if you need extra help.
FAQs
Is the Heathrow app free?
Yes, it's free to download and use on iPhone, Apple Watch and Android, published directly by Heathrow Airport Limited.
Does the Heathrow app show live security wait times?
Yes, once you've added your departing flight, the app shows current security wait times along with check-in zone, bag drop and gate information.
Can the Heathrow app tell me immigration wait times?
Yes, for arriving flights the app shows immigration wait times where available, along with baggage reclaim information and onward travel options.
Can I book parking through the Heathrow app?
Yes, you can book and manage Heathrow parking through the app, alongside other extras like lounge access.
What is Reserve & Collect in the Heathrow app?
It's a shopping service that lets you browse and reserve duty-free and other airport products online in advance, then collect and pay for them in the terminal rather than browsing on the day.
What rating does the Heathrow app have?
Around 4.7 stars on the Apple App Store and 4.3 stars on Google Play, based on official store listings.