Heathrow development director and chief executive designate John Holland-Kaye was down at arrivals to welcome some of the early morning passengers to Terminal 2 after it officially opened today.
A total of 6,000 people are expected to touch down on United Airlines' - the only carrier to operate from the airport for the next two weeks - 17 scheduled flight arrivals.
Whispers from departing passengers include "this is the world's most quietest airport" and "there's a sense of relief things have not gone horribly wrong".
Mr Holland-Kaye, said: “Terminal 2 is the culmination of an £11bn investment programme that has transformed Heathrow for passengers. Opening a new terminal is one of the most complex challenges that any airport can undertake. Our measure of success is not everything running perfectly on day one – there will inevitably be things we can improve.
"Our real measure of success is whether Terminal 2 comes to be rated by passengers as one of the world’s best airport terminals for years to come. ”
United Airlines Bob Schumacher, managing director sales UK and Ireland, said: "We're extremely proud to be the first airline to operate from the new Terminal 2 and to consolidate our Heathrow operations in the airport's most advanced terminal.
"Heathrow is one of the most important airport's in United's global network, and Terminal 2 represents a huge improvement in the service and facilities we are able to provide to all our customers, whether they're departing, arriving or connecting."
There was No repeat of Terminal 5 chaos as T2 operates at 10 per cent on its opening day however Heathrow Express workers went on strike as T2 opens.
