On this page (6 sections)
Scheduled departure 20:15, London time.
See how CX256 is running today on the Heathrow departures board, or follow the aircraft on Flightradar24.
Which terminal this flight departs from
Departs from Terminal 3, in the Central Terminal Area, home to most of oneworld plus Virgin Atlantic, Delta and Emirates. Check-in and bag drop are on the departures level of the main terminal, then a single central security search. There are lounges in Terminal 3 airside, and you can check the security queue first. It shares the Heathrow Terminals 2 and 3 station on the Elizabeth Line, the Piccadilly Line and Heathrow Express, a short covered walk from departures. See the Terminal 3 guide.
Check-in, bag drop and security
Online check-in usually opens 24 hours before departure. Bag drop desks generally open about three hours before a long-haul flight and close 60 minutes before departure, though the exact cutoff is set by the airline, so confirm yours. Everyone leaving goes through the same central security search: liquids follow the limits shown at the terminal on the day, and the hand-baggage rules are on the luggage page. Fast Track security is sold at some terminals if you would rather skip the main queue. For a long-haul departure, arriving about three hours before takeoff leaves room for bag drop, security and the walk to a satellite gate.
An evening departure
Leaves in the evening bank. Security stays open, but check-in and bag drop close well before you board, so do not cut the arrival time fine. The Elizabeth Line, Piccadilly Line and Heathrow Express all run late but thin out towards midnight, so check the last service if you are heading to the airport late. Black cabs and private transfers run around the clock.
Seeing someone off on CX256
You can only go through to the departure lounge with a boarding pass, so there is no gate farewell at Heathrow. Say your goodbyes landside in the Terminal 3 departures hall, before the passenger goes through security. If you have driven, the cheapest place to wait is Terminal 3 short-stay rather than the forecourt, where the £7 drop-off charge applies.
Getting to and from Heathrow
Getting to Heathrow for CX256: if someone is dropping you off, the forecourt carries a £7 charge, or they can use the Terminal 3 Park & Ride free 29-minute window instead. For public transport into the terminal, compare the Heathrow Express, the Elizabeth Line, the Piccadilly Line, coaches, black cabs and private transfers.