Bosses at Heathrow can breathe a sigh of relief as the opening of Terminal 2 yesterday (June 4) went without a glitch.

With only 17 scheduled departures and arrivals operated by United Airlines a repeat scenario of the chaotic opening of Terminal 5 was nowhere in sight.

Instead it was a smooth journey for almost 6,000 passengers whether they were checking in or going through the UK border and baggage reclaim, and a quiet day for staff - at times who outnumbered flyers.

UK Border on the opening day of the new T2 - The Queen's Terminal
UK Border on the opening day of the new T2 - The Queen's Terminal

All flyers were greeted to an orchestra performance and many were welcomed by a Beefeater in costume.

A couple who had flown in from San Francisco to visit friends in London, Ivan Levison, 71, and wife Wendy, 70, had all good things to say about their T2 experience.

Mrs Levison said: "I think it's beautiful and loved the way everyone has been very helpful.

"Customs and everything was just amazing."

Mr Levison added: "It's great and fabulous. The old international terminal was like a dungeon.

"It's obvious everyone has turned out to make it the best."

Ivan Levison, 71, and wife Wendy, 70, from San Francisco land at T2 on opening day
Ivan Levison, 71, and wife Wendy, 70, from San Francisco land at T2 on opening day

Another passenger, Noemi DeJesus, 55, who travelled to the UK for the first time and was heading to Nottingham to see her daughter, said: "I'm on vacation for two days to see my daughter who is at Nottingham University and then will be going around Europe.

"I had no idea the terminal opened today.

"It's very nice. Everything was clear.

"They had workers directing us which was very helpful.

"It looks very pretty."

Another lady, who was in fact dropped her sister at Terminal 3 could not resist a look around the new T2.

Angela Leigh, in her 50s, of Hampshire, a keen traveller and plane enthusiast, said: "My sister was travelling to Canada from Terminal 3 with Air Canada who will be here from June 18 so she just missed out.

"We dropped her at T3 and thought we would come here to see what T2 is like - and we love it.

"It is modern and very open.

"I love the fact you can see the runway (from departures)."

The opening marked the latest stage in Heathrow's £11 billion transformation which has so far included the refurbishment of Terminal 3, the construction of Terminal 5, a new control tower and now The Queen's Terminal.

Senior management are proud of the opening day and it's clear lessons have been learnt.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow Development Director and CEO designate said: “We are delighted to have welcomed the first passengers to Heathrow’s new Terminal.

"Performance has exceeded our expectations.

"The new Terminal 2 has delivered a great new welcome to Britain.”

United Airlines aircraft at T2 stand
United Airlines aircraft at T2 stand

In two weeks, on June 18, three other carriers; Air Canada, Air China and ANA (All Nippon Airways) will move into the terminal creating more of a buzz at the terminal.

Before the end of the year, all 23 Star Alliance carriers as well as the domestic Virgin Atlantic Little Red, Germanwings and Aer Lingus, will operate from T2. 

With all the alliance members under the same roof, passengers on connecting flights will see their transit times halved to 45 minutes.

Once fully occupied, the terminal will boast a 332 daily flights to 54 global destinations.

Staff have their say on day one at Terminal 2.

A quiet opening day at The Queen's Terminal.

T2 - THE FACTS:

£2.5 billion makes T2 one of the UK's largest privately funded construction projects

35,000 jobs as part of T2's construction

Six months of trials - including 4,000 bags per hour tested

26 airlines will move into T2 over six months

14,000 volunteers helped test T2 during more than 180 trials

1,700 training sessions delivered to prepare the T2 team

16 million passengers a year - capacity of 20 million

28 gates

Eight A380 piers

33 shops

17 restaurants

36 immigration lanes plus 10 e-gates

29 security lanes

634 toilets

42 drinking water fountains

7,106 seats

1,340 car parking spaces

60 check-in kiosks

66 self-service kiosks

99% of materials from the old T2 recycled or reused