Heathrow Airport Celebrates Its 70th Birthday

The first commercial flight to take off from Heathrow Airport took to the air on 31 May 1946.

In its 70 years of operation the airport has grown from a small cluster of tents to a major international travel hub.

In its first year the airport saw 63,000 passengers pass through - now it carries 67 million people to destinations in 80 countries.

A photography booked published by The History Press - Heathrow In Pictures - traces the airport’s from its very first days in operation to the current day.

The early pictures show passengers waiting in the tents that served as terminals, and crowds of plane spotters checking out London’s early commercial flights.

Hordes of famous faces have passed through Heathrow over the years, with Hollywood superstars, sporting legends and royalty taking off from its runways.

Here we take a look at the history of Heathrow:

Luxury Lounge

In 1946, Heathrow’s terminals were tents furnished with squishy floral sofas. (Graham Bridges Collection/Heathrow In Photographs)

Opening Ceremony

A Pan American World Airways jet lands on 31 May 1946, on the afternoon of Heathrow’s official opening ceremony. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Plane Spotting

1940s plane spotters sit in the viewing enclosure at Heathrow Airport, with a Trans-Canada plane in the background. (Tom Singfield/Heathrow In Photographs)

First Building

In 1950, Heathrow’s first permanent structure was built to replace the tents. It was used for charter and cargo flights until 1959. (Graham Bridges/Heathrow In Pictures)

Room With A View

In the 1950s, plane spotters at Heathrow Airport were afforded a fine view from the terminal restaurant. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Open Air

In 1959, Heathrow had no covered walkways from the planes to the airport buildings. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Ready For Take Off

A jet sits in front of the BOAC headquarters building in 1961. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Welcome Home

The Beatles arrive at Heathrow Airport in 1964 after their successful American tour. (PA Wire)

Take A Look

In the 1960s, Heathrow Airport’s viewing terraces were often packed with plane spotters, who came equipped with packed lunches and binoculars. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Important Guests

The Duke of Edinburgh steps from the driving seat of his glass-roofed Reliant Scimitar estate car at London Airport, en route to Oslo for a two-day visit to the British Trade Fair and Fortnight in 1966. (PA Wire)

Kids’ Club

Children could enjoy rides and entertainment at Heathrow in the 1960s, while their parents observed the planes from the viewing decks. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Airport Security

The Metropolitan Police took over the policing of Heathrow Airport in 1974. Policewoman PC Kris Hallworth directs the busy traffic near the control tower. (PA Wire)

Golden Age

An ultra-glamorous Elizabeth Taylor and her companion, car dealer Henery Wynberg, leaving for Geneva at Heathrow Airport in 1975. (PA Wire)

Linked Up

A helicopter lands at Heathrow in 1978, after completing its shuttle service from Gatwick. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Royal Visitor

Queen Elizabeth II lands at Heathrow airport in 1981. (PA Wire)

Air Icon

A British Airways Concorde takes off from Heathrow in 1994. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Happy Birthday

Heathrow Airport marked in 50th birthday in 1996 with a flypast of a number of aircrafts that had served to airport throughout its first half century. (Heathrow In Pictures)

Hero’s Welcome

The gold medal winners leave the plane carrying the Great Britain Olympic team at Heathrow Airport after returning from the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. (PA Wire)

The Modern Way

Terminal 5, used exclusively by British Airways, opened up in 2008. (Ian Haskell/Heathrow In Pictures)

Hosting Her Majesty

Virgin Airways

Sir Richard Branson carries model Kate Moss along the wing of a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 at Heathrow Airport in 2009. (Steve Parsons/PA Wire)

Home Of The Superjet

Staff watch The British Airways liveried Airbus A380 on the runway at Heathrow. The world’s largest passenger plane the airport as BA became the first UK airline to take delivery of the massive superjumbo. (PA Wire)