BA to upgrade London Heathrow lounges, add 'Concorde concierge' team
British Airways' flagship London Heathrow lounges are finally getting some long-overdue love.
By David Flynn, December 31 2019
British Airways' London Heathrow lounges will receive a long-awaited upgrade in 2020 as the airline works to bring its home lounges up to true flagship status.
What's likely to be a multi-million pound make-over will draw from the same design DNA as BA's new-look lounges in Aberdeen, Geneva, Johannesburg, Milan, New York JFK, Rome and San Francisco.
2020 means "out with the old and in with the new" for BA's flagship London Heathrow lounges.
Executive Traveller review: British Airways Club World Business Class Lounge, New York JFK
Those lounges all share what BA describes as a "light and airy" design based on the airline's Lounge Futures template, which specifies material and finishings while leaving the details open to embrace local influences.
BA's new-look lounge at Rome.
BA has five lounges at Heathrow Terminal 5: the Concorde Room (which was refreshed in November 2017), a first class lounge, two business class Galleries lounges (one at each end of the terminal) plus an arrivals lounge for premium passengers coming on on long-distance flights.
BA's Heathrow T5 Concorde Room received its own make-over in late 2017.
There are also first and business class lounges at Terminal 3, which still hosts around a dozen BA flights to Europe as well as some flights to Cape Town, Vancouver and the USA.
However, a spokesperson for British Airways declined to share with Executive Traveller any specifics such as the scope of the upgrade or if this refresh would also include the T3 lounges, which currently compete with those of Oneworld partners Cathay Pacific and Qantas. It's also unclear if the current Galleries branding will be retained.
Also in line for a similar upgrade in 2020 are BA's Edinburgh and Berlin business class lounges, while the Elemis Spa at New York JFK "will also be re-designed and re-launched", the airline promises.
The Elemis Spa at New York JFK is set for a re-design in 2020.
In addition, British Airways' top-tier frequent flyers – Gold Guest List Executive Club members and Premier Card holders – "will be looked after by new Concorde teams when they travel through Los Angeles, New York JFK, London Heathrow, Delhi, Los Angeles and Mumbai" in the program being rolled out across 2020.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
“BA has five lounges at Heathrow Terminal 5: the Concorde Room (which was refreshed in November 2017, a first class lounge, two business class Galleries lounges (one at each end of the terminal) plus an arrivals lounge for premium passengers coming on on long-distance flights.“
Make that six lounges. Unless it has closed in the 14 months since I used it there is also a lounge in pier B of T5.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
Just the T5 lounges? I'd hope something happens with the T3 lounges, unless BA has a better idea of when LHR will be removing T3 for the planned T2 extensions.
I haven't been through LHR T5 for a few years, instead using T3 flights (because the CX and newish QF lounges are better then the T5 BA lounges, as is the AA F lounge and AA arrivals) and a T4 departure this last trip (first time departing there since the airline moves relating to T5 opening and QFs move to T3.).
Good point on the T5 lounges.
There are the T5A North and South J lounges, the T5B J lounge and the T5A F and Concorde lounges.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
08 Jun 2018
Total posts 91
Yes T3 lounge is tired and needs an overhaul, but the alternatives (well, Cathay and Qantas) are so good it doesn't really matter. No one in their right mind would use the BA lounge in T3 with those other options available. In T5 you are, of course, a hostage to BA, although they aren't as bad as some people make out.
British Airways - Executive Club
06 Apr 2018
Total posts 13
Great that the lounges are being refreshed but there is a bit of BA bashing going on here - existing product is pretty decent. The BA First lounge in T5 is just behind the Qantas and Cathay equivalents but miles ahead of anyone else. Strong food and drink offering, superb showers and a very pleasant space. The First Wing in T5 while maybe not technically part of the lounge is game changing and fundamentally transforms the airport experience
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
Agree with this - only the shower reminds me less of of a first class experience and more of a portaloo vibe.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 165
Yes there are six BA lounges at T5: At the South End of 5A there are Galleries Club, First and Concorde Room, at North End there is Galleries Club, landside there is Arrivals and at 5B there is another Galleries Club.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 165
I'd also be astonished if Berlin is being refurbished given Brandenburg Airport is finally meant to open in October 2020 (and Tegel closed), but a lounge there may be on the cards of course.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
I read on another site like this that there is soon to be a new lounge opening soon at T5 pier C.
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