The Queen opens the state-of-the-art Terminal 5 at Heathrow... but the misery goes on at nearby Terminal 4

The massive glass and steel structure, which could house 50 football pitches, promises state-of-the-art security and the ability to whisk millions of passengers a year through check-in in a matter of minutes.

None of which will have been any comfort to the hundreds of travellers at nearby Terminal 4, where a more traditional Heathrow scene was playing out.

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Proud: The Queen officially opens Terminal 5, 53 years after launching the first passenger terminal at Heathrow

Passengers queue the entire length both inside and outside Terminal 4

Suitcases and passports at the ready, they were forced to queue the length of the building both inside and out as they waited - and waited - to check in.

Across the airport, the Queen was praising the "highly impressive" Terminal 5, which has been built exclusively for the use of British Airways.

It will go into full operation on March 27. The royal visitor, who opened Heathrow's first passenger terminal 53 years ago, called the new building a "21st century gateway to Britain - and for us, to the wider world".

The Richard Rogers-designed terminal will handle up to 30 million passengers a year, finally easing the pressure from an airport that has threatened to seize up under the sheer weight of travellers milling through its ageing departure and arrival halls.

During her 68-minute visit the Queen met Lord Rogers and the BA crew of the Boeing 777 who averted a tragedy when they crash-landed short of the runway at Heathrow in January.

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The Queen with captain Peter Burkhill (centre) and his co-pilot John Coward of BA flight 038 which recently crash landed at Heathrow Airport, after officially opening the new terminal

The Queen paved the way for the operational start of the new terminal later this month

Queen at Heathrow: Her Majesty was given a tour of the terminal by Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of airport operator BAA

The Queen paid tribute to the design in her speech. She said: "Looking around this bright and airy space with its clean, efficient layout, I am sure that many millions of travellers will have reason to be appreciative of the thought and care that has gone into the design, construction and ongoing maintenance of this significant new terminal."

She and the 800 guests, including hundreds of airport and construction workers, listened to a special piece of music from composer Steve Sidwell performed by a 30-strong choir.

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BAA chairman Sir Nigel said today: "Terminal 5 marks the start of a new beginning for Heathrow, for BAA and for our millions of passengers. It is by any standard a triumph of ambition, commitment and collaboration.

"It will breathe new life into Heathrow, allowing us to continue our transformation of the rest of the airport and will put Heathrow and BAA back where they belong — at the leading edge of global travel."

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On alert: Police officers patrol the new terminal in a security sweep before her arrival

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "Our customers will really enjoy the space, comfort and convenience it offers.

"With the opening of T5, BA and BAA have an opportunity to make air travel, both into and out of the UK, once again a calmer and much more enjoyable experience."

Today's ceremony comes 53 years after the Queen opened the first passenger terminal at Heathrow, the building now used as Terminal 2.

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Royal opening: The Queen opens the £4.3 billion new Terminal 5 at Heathrow

Shiny and new:The glass-covered T5 building cost £4.3billion

This is due to be demolished next year to make way for a new building, Heathrow East.

Beyond that there are bitterly opposed plans for a third runway and a sixth terminal by 2020.

The opening comes at the end of a torrid year for Heathrow and its owners, BAA.

Last summer the airport suffered a barrage of criticism over long queues and lost baggage. There was mixed reaction to T5.

Greenpeace campaigner Anita Goldsmith said it "stands as a monument to the binge-flying culture this Government has done so much to encourage".

But Neil Pakey, chairman of the Airport Operators Association, said: "It is in the interests of passengers, businesses and the country as a whole that the UK has world-class airports.

"The opening represents a huge stride forward in providing the airport facilities which passengers deserve."

Ready for the hordes: Terminal Five took nearly 20 years to develop