A poem celebrating the 80th anniversary of Heathrow Airport's first commercial flight has been etched in giant letters in a nearby field, visible only to those flying overhead.
Gateway To The World
The west London airport commissioned writer David Larbi to create the poem, titled Gateway To The World. It describes how Heathrow is "a place where we're more than allowed to have our heads up in the clouds."
Larbi said the airport has brought "joy and connection" to people for eight decades. He added: "I'm greatly honoured to be the airport's first poet-in-residence, with an ode that captures Heathrow's 80-year legacy, the excitement and wonder of air travel and all those who work daily to make Heathrow the incredible place it is."
Historical Milestones
The site was initially known as London Airport, becoming Heathrow in 1966. Its first commercial flight departed on May 31, 1946, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the time, passenger terminals consisted of ex-military marquees. Some 63,000 passengers used the airport during its first year of operation, compared with 84.5 million in 2025.
CEO's Remarks
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: "For 80 years, Heathrow has been the place where journeys begin, where loved ones reunite, and where the UK meets the rest of the world. It has also been a pioneer in the travel industry, setting the standard for exceptional service. This year we're celebrating not only our history, but the humanity that defines every journey through Heathrow – and our continued commitment to delivering an extraordinary airport fit for the future."
Heathrow is hoping to secure planning permission by 2029 to build a third runway.
