Airport Lounges

Review: British Airways First Class Lounge London Heathrow

a man standing behind a bar in a building

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Review: British Airways First Class Lounge London Heathrow

If you’re just tuning in…Hello! You’re amidst an epic around the world surprise trip celebrating my mom’s 75th birthday. We just arrived from Abu Dhabi where we visited the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, had high tea at the Emirates Palace, rested at the Ritz, and then my folks jetted up here to London in Etihad Apartments while I flew in the Business Studio. While we were in flight my mom found out that we weren’t actually going to London, but heading on elsewhere, so while she waited in anticipation of our final destination we kicked it in British Airways First Class Lounge London Heathrow in Terminal 5.

a room with a large window and a bar with bottles and glasses

Gaining Access:

It’s kind of funny how we gained access. I’m currently a One World Emerald member and we were continuing on BA Club World. Which means our cabin of service would have given us access to the Galleries lounge upstairs from the First Class lounge, but I would have only been able to get me plus one person into first. A little background – we booked these tickets last year when I’d had my parents do an AA Platinum challenge and they hit it so when we booked the tickets they had One World Sapphire. They didn’t retain the status, but it was still on their tickets – dunno how that happened. So I just put their tickets under my Emerald ticket and next thing I knew we were in the lounge.

a wall with a sign on it

It was so easy and we gained access without any question so I started to second guess that we were in fact in the First Class lounge. It was my first time here and I actually didn’t realize it was first class until I saw a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue available for free pour. HA! I’m not sure which this reflects on worse…me or the lounge hahaha!

I guess this also summarizes my first impression which was that this it’s a pretty nice business class lounge.

The Deets:

  • When: April 2017
  • Where: London Heathrow Terminal 5
  • Access:
    • First Class Customers
    • One World Emerald on any international ticket
  • Cool perks
    • Elemis spa
    • Johnnie Walker Blue

The Outside area is my preferred seating location.

a man standing in a room with a bar and shelves of bottles

While we were there Tom’s Pies had a pop up shop. HOLY SCHMOLY are they delicious. Adjacent to Tom’s was a Thatchers set up. Very cool and very good.

Dining + The Food:

a stuffed animal on top of a sign

The Tom’s popup was LEGIT. The rest of the food is pretty good and there is adequate seating in the dining area. I did like the cone, clotted cream, and jam section.

Champagne Bar. Beer Bar. Bar, bar.

a bar with wine glasses and champagne bottles

If you’re into Whiskey…you won’t be disappointed. It was too early in the day for me to indulge, but it looked great.

a row of liquor bottles on a shelf

Credit given where credit is due. I think they hit a homerun with the bar areas.

Seating Areas:

This is a very busy lounge. We ended up circling for a little while before we could actually find 3 seats together. However if you go to the far side of the lounge you can find some more private areas. We stuck near the Tom’s pies.

The Elemis Spa and Showers

a sign on a wall

The space and concept is great. They’re clean, but they are really old and unappealing. They just need a reno…if you’re interested in reading my funny experience at the Elemis Spa on another trip…go here.

Overall:

It’s certainly a step up from the Business Class Galleries lounge upstairs, and don’t get me wrong, it’s a great lounge. But, comparing it to other world class lounges – it’s showing its age and lags quite a bit. BA, in general, needs investment into product, and while there is another step up from the First Class lounge, The Concorde Room, the quality and service of this lounge isn’t on par with competitors.  I’ve been back a couple of times since visiting during this trip and I do enjoy the lounge, but it’s really a very nice ‘business class’ lounge.


You don’t have to stop here. Check out how we paid $5k and took a $125k Surprise trip Around The World to celebrate my Mom’s 75th

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Flights:

Hotels:

Lounges

Afternoon Tea

TIPS:

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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2 Comments

  • […] British Airways First Class Lounge LHR Terminal 5 […]

  • Evan July 10, 2017

    I like your blog even if we seem to be seeing Miles less and less – more Miles please! Please don’t go down the road of just bashing BA. Everyone does it and it’s boring. Not that I think you are bashing BA, I don’t think you are (yet)… and yes God knows they have their faults. Just sayin….

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