Heathrow Express Future Questioned Amid Expansion Plans
Transport for London suggests repurposing valuable rail paths currently used by the premium airport service.
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The future of the Heathrow Express is under review as Heathrow Airport progresses plans for a third runway. Transport for London (TfL) has stated that the premium airport train service is occupying valuable rail paths that could be better utilised by more affordable and higher-capacity public transport options.
Passenger Numbers and Affordability Concerns
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Last year, the Heathrow Express transported 4.5 million passengers, a figure that accounts for less than 6% of the total air passengers using Heathrow. This number is reportedly bolstered by airport staff travelling on discounted tickets. The service charges £26 for a 15- to 21-minute journey to Paddington, positioning it as one of the most expensive airport connections. While it is the fastest route to central London, passengers travelling beyond Paddington may find the Elizabeth line or the Underground a quicker option.
The Heathrow Express generated £48 million in revenue during the first six months of 2026, according to a Heathrow spokesperson. The airport maintains that the service operates without taxpayer funding and contributes to keeping airport charges down, stating that passengers expect a range of connectivity options.
Elizabeth Line as an Alternative
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TfL views the Elizabeth line as a more compelling service, offering direct connections deeper into London at a lower cost. Currently, the Elizabeth line runs only two trains per hour to Heathrow Terminal 5, which handles approximately 40% of the airport's passengers. This limited frequency can result in journey times exceeding an hour from the City or Canary Wharf. TfL plans to double this frequency next year, but further capacity improvements into Heathrow could free up more space on the rail network.
Alex Williams, TfL's chief customer and strategy officer, told MPs that the Heathrow Express is "taking up valuable paths that aren’t actually well used." He suggested repurposing these paths to create a more affordable and attractive service for a greater number of public transport users.
Operating Agreement and Future Negotiations
The operating agreement that grants the Heathrow Express access rights to the national railway network is set to expire in June 2028. The Department for Transport has indicated that no decision has yet been made regarding the future operation of the service. The operator, Great Western Railway, is scheduled to be nationalised and become part of Great British Railways next year. Heathrow Airport itself owns the stations and a five-mile stretch of railway leading to the mainline, an investment made in the 1990s for the Express service.
Heathrow's £33 billion expansion plan includes significant investment in car parks and rerouting the M25, but has not pledged funds towards improving train services. TfL has raised concerns that without clear commitments to public transport improvements, the expansion plans could lead to increased road congestion.
Questions this report answers
+Why is the future of the Heathrow Express being questioned?
Transport for London believes the Heathrow Express uses valuable rail capacity that could be better served by more affordable options like the Elizabeth line. The service also carries a relatively low number of passengers compared to the total air traffic at Heathrow.
+How many passengers use the Heathrow Express?
The Heathrow Express carried 4.5 million passengers in the last year. This figure represents less than 6% of all air passengers travelling through Heathrow Airport, with some numbers boosted by discounted tickets for airport staff.
+When does the Heathrow Express's operating agreement expire?
The agreement that allows the Heathrow Express to use the national railway network is scheduled to end in June 2028. The Department for Transport has not yet announced any decisions regarding the service's future operations beyond this date.
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