HUNDREDS of Northern Ireland travellers will jet into a new era in air travel this month - among the first thousands of UK passengers to use the new space-age Terminal 5 at London Heathrow.

The new British Airways-customised terminal, exclusively for the use of BA, will be opened by Her Majesty the Queen on March 27.

Simon Daly from British Airways, Ireland, said: "We're very excited about this new terminal as it will greatly enhance the passenger experience for customers travelling from Northern Ireland.

"The new T5 terminal means that customers who are using Heathrow to connect with global destinations will arrive at T1 as usual and get a quick connection to T5.

"As they will be through checked with their baggage this makes the entire travel experience a much more pleasant one".

But not only will almost all British Airways' flights immediately transfer to the new terminal, the changes will set in motion major improvements and developments in the other Heathrow terminals.

Said bmi's Northern Ireland Sales Manager Brenda Morgan: "The opening of Terminal 5 will see expected investment in the improvement and redevelopment of Terminal 1 by BAA (British Airports Authority) to see it match the standard of facilities being provided in T5 for BA.

"Work is already underway in modernising the check-in area and creating new lounge space, new baggage systems and producing a more pleasant environment.

"Many airlines will in time actually move terminals to use the space freed up by BA - for example it's planned that almost all Star Alliance partner airlines such as United and Air New Zealand will move to Terminal 1 in the summer followed by others in the autumn."

Like Belfast International to Heathrow operators Aer Lingus, bmi will continue to have all its services operating to and from Terminal 1.

Added Brenda: "With regard to Star Alliance, the ultimate aim is to have all the Star Alliance carriers under one roof - this will be achieved when the development of Heathrow East is completed.

"Once BA moves, T1 will be handling half the number of passengers that currently pass through its doors - this will have an immediate effect of reducing queues and relieving the pressure on terminal facilities."

Belfast-originating travellers with bmi and Aer Lingus - who both have interlining agreements with BA - will be among the first to experience the new high level of customer service and state of the art facilities, as well as being able to shop at retail outlets of many world-wide brands. These include a Gordon Ramsay Caviar House, an M&S Simply Food, and shops such as Harrods, Mulberry and Prada.

The new T5 facility will handle 30 million passengers annually.

Northern Ireland travellers with bmi from George Best Belfast City Airport or with Aer Lingus from Belfast International will use a new shuttle bus service to Terminal 5 to connect with British Airways flights to their onward destinations.

The complete transit process will be done 'air-side' thus ensuring a smooth and seamless transfer. If luggage is labelled 'straight through' at Belfast it will go direct to its final destination with no need to identify it or pick it up at Heathrow.

Until the new system and T5 beds down it is recommended to err on the side of caution when making a BA connection and allow extra time for your journey.

Although BAA have estimated connection times no one knows for certain how long connections will take, especially in the first few weeks.