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A Week at the Airport (book images) (94 images)

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  • The legs of anonymous airline employees are seen from below a smoking screen that obscures their faces outside Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building. In afternoon sunshine, the women wear their airline uniforms and are sharing an off-duty puff on their cigarettes as part of their working shift at this international aviation hub. Without seeing their upper-bodies, we imagine their conversation and gossip. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).

  • An exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). A British Airways airliner is parked at its Arrival/Departure gate in front of the bright lights that shine through huge window panes of glass. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...

  • An wide exterior view of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building in West London. Created by the Richard Rogers Partnership (now Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners). As the last light of the day fades, the brightness of terminal lights shine through massive panes of window glass. At a cost of £4.3 billion, the 400m long T5 is the largest free-standing building in the UK with the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. The Terminal 5 public inquiry was the longest in UK history, lasting four years from 1995 to 1999. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...

  • A wide night view looking down on the rubber-stained of runway 27R at Heathrow Airport. During a time-exposure and partially-lit by the headlights and spotlights of an airfield emergency vehicle, we see the giant numbers 27 that landing pilots will see from a mile away as they descend towards the airport's threshold. The numbers relate to the compass bearing that the line of the runway takes: In this case 270 degrees from north and has a parallel southern twin. Across the number two we also see a set of taxiway lights that help the steering pilot navigate across the airfield and line-up on the departing runway. .From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .

  • A female member of the Thomas Cook staff issues foreign currency to an unseen airline passenger in the departures concourse at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. This Bureau de Change is one of two companies trading in foreign exchange, travel insurance and travellers cheques for passengers passing through this aviation hub is west London. We see on the wall behind the assistant, a beach paradise scene of palm trees, calm seas and beach chalets, the idea of tranquillity and prosperity. On the left are the exchange rates for the world's currencies for purchase at this kiosk. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .

  • Queues of newly-arrived airline passengers line up to await their turn at the UK Border Agency's passport control at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Immigration officers deal with each member of the public seeking entry into the United Kingdom but on average, 10 a day are refused entry at this London airport and between 2008 and 2009, 33,100 people were detained at the airport for mainly passport irregularities. The UK Border Agency is responsible for securing the United Kingdom borders and controlling migration in the UK. They manage border control enforcing immigration and customs regulations and also consider applications for permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom, citizenship and asylum. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ...

  • Individual trays for airline baggage in the Early Bags Store where 4,000 pieces are held. 50-70,000 pieces of British Airways baggage a day travel through 11 miles of conveyor belts which were installed in a 5-storey underground hall beneath the 400m (a quarter of a mile) length of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Here we see items of luggage spending 4 hours in transit, held in a fully-automated parking lot for bags. Computers decide when to fish the item out and re-introduce it into the system and load it on to the appropriate aircraft. T5 alone has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year and was completed in 2008 at a cost of £4.3bn. The system was designed by an integrated team from the airport operator BAA, BA and Vanderlande Industries of the Netherlands, and handles both intra-terminal and inter-terminal luggage. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).

  • Airline passengers make their way along jetties from their newly-arrived aircraft, towards the arrivals concourse in Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. We see four lines of jetties that are owned by the airport operator, used by British Airways and sponsored by HSBC. Air travellers walk briskly after their long-haul flight either carrying light carry-on bags or towing small cases on wheels. At a cost of £4.3 billion, Terminal 5 has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..

  • Two elderly passengers have stopped by in a retail space called World of Duty Free to taste Scottish Malt Whiskey in Terminal 5 at heathrow Airport. The two South-Africans travel widely across the world to visit their extended family and like to stop by this shop to try the various blends of Scotch with the help of a sales person who helps them decide which bottles to buy. Together they swallow the fine alcohol and taste its delicate and subtle differences. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).

  • Meat salads are stacked in readiness for an airline flight in the world's largest independent provider of airline catering and provisioning services, Gate Gourmet, on the southern perimeter road at Heathrow Airport, West London. Gate Gourmet serve more than 200 million meals on 2 million airline flights a year to their 250-plus airline customers at more than 100 airport locations around the globe. Apart from creating the bespoke meals for an airline's culture and ethnic demands, that pack the pre-flight carts, deliver and load into the aircraft galleys and afterwards, they dispose of the waste and strip, wash and sterilize the equipment. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .

  • Security employed by contractor OCS searches a passenger at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. Teams of 5-8 perform a rotational order of tasks, changing every 20 minutes: A loader (asking travellers to take off clothing, shoes etc); archway detectors; X-ray operator; liquid tester and bag searcher. The X-ray operator can earn a £50 bonus for a suspect item randomly inserted by undercover officials and known as an Airlock Find. Also, a Tip is a random image flashed on the screen that shows a suspect item they have to spot. A typical day of searched passengers is 25,000 passengers in T5. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .

  • A departing lover hugs her boyfriend farewell before her long-haul flight in the Departures concourse at. Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. While embracing her young man, she gazes off into the distance amid the otherwise busy airport terminal where the emotions of parting as well as the joys of reunited loved-ones are played out in various parts of aviation hubs around the world. They are both in their own worlds, removed from the noise and confusion of other passengers. Her departure is brief and yet their sadness of being separated is plainly too much to bear. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .

  • In the darkness of a taxiway at the southern end of Heathrow Airport, the bright lights of an engineering hangar spill out into the night. A Boeing 747 Jumbo jet sits nose-in behind another during a scheduled set of maintenance tasks that every aircraft needs to keep to in order for its continued airworthiness. The unmistakable shape of this large aircraft is a half-silhouette against the intensity of the hangar and blue flare spots that arise from the internal glass in the camera's lens. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). .

  • The main nose wheel of a British Airways airliner is parked on a stand at Heathrow Airport. The identifying names of the Boeing type range such as 777s, 767, 747 and 757s are also stencilled on the apron concrete to allow exact distances for expandable air bridges and other airfield vehicles to connect and service these differing-sized commercial airliners. The pilot has devices inside and outside to gauge the exact spot to break to a standstill though these marks are largely unsighted to them, high up in the cockpit. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..

  • Wing tips and tails from British Airways 747-400 jet airliners are almost touching during their respective turnrounds while on the apron outside Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 building. A passing aircraft taxies past on the left and the other two planes have wingtip devices increase the lift generated at the wingtip which smooth the airflow across the upper wing near the tip and reduce the lift-induced drag caused by wingtip vortices. This improves lift-to-drag ratio and increases fuel efficiency, in powered aircraft. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..

  • In an office stock room, an archivist in British Airways' Customer Experiences Divition shows some conceptual design ideas for future Business Class cabin layouts, seen at the airline's corporate headquarters at Waterside at Harmondsworth near Heathrow Airport. Having listened to their passengers' ideas for what they'd like to experience in their long-haul cabins, BA regularly come up with ways to make the flight for premium users a reason to become loyal fare-payers. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..

  • A departures information board at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 is viewed by passengers who stands motionless to read the details of flight departure times to echo that of a Vodafone advertisement containing a tourist on a beach, a generic scene of a person on holiday taking advantage of low mobile phone charges in mainland Europe. A finger from an unseen traveller points to a flight time and to ladies stand gazing up at the check-in guide that helps tell which is the check-in zone of this 400 metre-long terminal that has the capacity to serve around 30 million passengers a year. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..

  • Greeting drivers await their passengers to arrive off a flight from Beijing. In the hectic international arrivals concourse of Heathrow's Terminal 5, the men hold up name boards to attract the attention of those Chinese nationals who are new students at a Bournemouth language college called Education First (EF), based on England's south coast. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).

  • A female security officer has spotted an abandoned bag with the words 'Giraffe To Go' on the side, inside a lift of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. The woman talks urgently but calmly using her walkie-talkie. She needs to report it to her controllers as a suspicious package but may turn out to be an innocent lunch bag left by a hurrying and absent-minded passenger, realising their flight is about to close, instead of a bomb left by a malicious terrorist. The lady bends down to give as accurate description as she can before airport police arrive to determine how serious the treat is and possibly order a costly evacuation. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009).

  • In the British Airways Galleries First lounge at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, an unseen business passenger hides his face while reading the Business section of the Daily Telegraph. With his laptop perched across his knees the anonymous man sits by a window where natural light is a feature of this exclusive facility (only available to passengers travelling in First and Gold Executive Club members) designed by Artwise. The lounge's 15,000 sq ft complex was built at the cost of £60 million. From writer Alain de Botton's book project "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" (2009). ..

  • An employee raises his hand during airport operator BAA's company meeting at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

  • Safe pair of pilot's hands in the British Airways Crew Report Centre at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • An exterior dusk view Terminal 5 building and a taxiway sign for pilots to navigate around complicated Heathrow Airport.

  • TV news on screen in luxury room at hotel chain Sofitel at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Heathrow writer-in-residence, Alain de Botton writes his airport novel near 747 in Departures at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Childrens' toys in a UK Border Agency's immigration detention room for minors run by Group 4 at Heathrow Airport's T5 .

  • A chef puts finishing touches on deserts in the kitchens at the Vivre restaurant in Sofitel.

  • An exterior dusk view of the Heathrow terminal 5 hotel Sofitel showing wasteground still to be developed.

  • One of Arup's 'torso nodes' help support 50 ton tusk rafters to made Heathrow airport's T5 largest free-standing building in UK

  • Players in a cricket match are oblivious to a passing airliner that passes overhead on a flight-path from Heathrow airport.

  • A passing airliner that passes overhead on a flight-path from Heathrow airport over M25 at Poyle on Colne Valley Way.

  • Part of a sequence of 4 consecutive images, a jet airliner's landing lights are seen nearing its final airport descent.

  • Part of a sequence of 4 consecutive images, a blurred jet airliner passes overhead, nearing its final airport descent.

  • Part of a sequence of 4 consecutive images, a blurred jet airliner passes overhead, nearing its final airport descent.

  • Part of a sequence of 4 consecutive images, a blurred jet airliner passes overhead, nearing its final airport descent.

  • A female employee prepares fruit salads destined for airline meals by Gate Gourmet at Heathrow Airport. .

  • Humour during British Airways check-in at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Mature humour during British Airways check-in at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Children experiencing pre-holiday excitement in check-in areas at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Departing passenger use British Airways self-service check-in kiosks at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Childrens' Disney-themed pink baggage in check-in areas at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.


  • Heathrow writer-in-residence, Alain de Botton writes his airport novel in Departures at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Female security operative feels around a lady passenger's back for suspect items during search at Heathrow Airport's T5

  • A male security operative uncovers forbidden bottle of Vodka among a passenger's hand baggage during search at Heathrow T5

  • Departing lovers say their emotional farewells in Departures at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Departing lovers say their emotional farewells in Departures at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • A hotel waiter delivers a meal ordered from toom service in the heathrow Airport Sofitel, attached to Terminal 5.

  • A British Airways check-in wishes its passengers an enjoyable flight, seem in departures of at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • With trolley nearby, a cleaner stoops to remove sticky debris on the concourse floor at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • A British Airways security guard patrols beneath fuselage of a Boeing 747 parked on the apron at Heathrow's Terminal 5..

  • A British Airways employee makes a call in atrium at company corporate headquarters at Waterside at Harmondsworth..

  • British Airways' Chairman, Willie Walsh interviewed by Alain de Botton at the company's Waterside corporate HQ

  • British Airways' Chairman, Willie Walsh shows writer Alain de Botton their A380 model at the company's Waterside corporate HQ

  • A passenger's leg is seen on the floor of a Heathrow Express train between terminals at Heathrow Airport. .

  • Two female BAA security instructors stand in front of a Powerpoint image showing the Glasgow airport terrorist attack.

  • In the top-right corner of the image, an airliner passes overhead in an early morning flight-path over South London

  • A lady passenger has eyebrow threading treatment during beauty session at the Blink Eyebrow Bar in World Duty Free Heathrow's T5

  • Arriving passengers and reflected airport architecture at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

  • A market researcher working for the Heathrow Aiport operator BAA, conducts her surveys in the departures concourses of T5.

  • British Airways jetty operator carefully manoeuvres towards arrived BA aircraft door at Heathrow's Terminal 5. .

  • Arriving passengers, British Airways aircraft and airport architecture at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

  • Airline passengers collect trolleys in the baggage reclaim hall in the arrivals of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Long-term shoe-shine franchise owner Dudley masters polishes a pair of shoes Baggage at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

  • Lone lady awaiting her luggage from domestic baggage reclaim carousel at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

  • Some young musicians await their group to re-assemble in the Arrivals concourse at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.

  • Car Finder screen technology and car park architecture at Heathrow's terminal 5.

  • A young lady from sits on a stool at a hotel bar with a friend at the Sphere Bar at Heathow Airport

  • Luxury room in hotel chain, Sofitel at Heathrow's terminal 5.

  • Greeting dad and son in International Arrivals concourse at Heathrow's terminal 5.

  • A family awaitng loved-ones in Arrivals of Heathrow's terminal 5 stretch a banner and float a helium-filled balloon.

  • Amid the hectic arrivals concourse of Heathrow airport's T5, a young couple kiss and embrace after a few weeks separation.

  • Unloading a bulky plasma flatscreen TV from vehicle at departures level of Heathrow's Terminal 5.

  • Heathrow Express lift passenger's foot and architecture at Heathrow airport's terminal 5.

  • As a Virgin jet takes off overhead, airline employees stop for a cigarette break near the smoking shelter at Heathrow's T5.

  • Heathrow Express station architecture at Heathrow airport's Terminal 5.

  • One of Arup's 'torso nodes' help support 50 ton tusk rafters to made Heathrow airport's T5 largest free-standing building in UK

  • A jet airliner climbs away into the distance after taking-off in pink afternoon skies above London's Heathrow Airport.

  • A Multi-faith worship room in the departures section at Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. .

  • Islamic reading material in the Multi-faith worship room in the departures section at Heathrow airport's Terminal 5. .

  • Receptionist in the British Airways Concorde Room for First Class passengers at Heathrow airport's terminal 5.

  • Waitress in the British Airways Concorde Bar for First Class passengers at Heathrow airport's terminal 5.

  • Lady passenger sampling Concorde Dining in the British Airways First Class restaurant at Heathrow airport's terminal 5.

  • Receptionist and horse artwork in the British Airways Galleries First for First Class passengers at Heathrow airport's T5

  • In the British Airways Galleries First lounge at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 passengers work on identical DELL laptops

  • WH Smiths true crime and horror literature on sale in departures shopping area of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5.

  • WH Smiths travel literature on sale in departures shopping area of Heathrow airport's Terminal 5.

  • Greeting driver holding passenger name card in Arrivals at Heathrow's Terminal 5.

  • A passenger stoops to inspect travel adapters and plugs at Dixons Digital in Heathrow airport's terminal 5

  • UK edition book cover of Alain de Botton's "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" containing photography by Richard Baker.

  • Brazilian edition book cover of Alain de Botton's "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" containing photography by Richard Baker.

  • US edition book cover of Alain de Botton's "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" containing photography by Richard Baker.

  • Dutch edition book cover of Alain de Botton's "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" containing photography by Richard Baker.

  • Taiwanese (simplified Chinese) edition book cover of Alain de Botton's "A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary" containing photography by Richard Baker.

In capture date order, the 89 Pictures from 'A Week at the Airport: A Heathrow Diary' by Alain de Botton published by Profile Books.

Also, foreign edition covers from the UK, US, Brazil, Holland and South Korea.

For a blog story about the book's photography go to:
http://wp.me/p3fbj-5D

and Twitter updates are @bakerpictures
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