Cathay Pacific has opened the doors to its new but much-delayed first class and business class lounge at London's Heathrow Terminal 3.
The London lounge take its familiar design cues from the Hong Kong flagship lounges The Pier, with a warm residential vibe created by CX lounge designer Ilse Crawford.
The combined footprint of both the business class and first class zones has been increased by 30% from the previous facilities by expanding into space previously occupied by Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris lounge, which last year shifted into Terminal 2 (along with almost all other Star Alliance airlines).
Floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic views of the airport’s apron and northerly runway.
Also as with The Pier, expect a variety of seating...
... with handy AC and USB sockets tucked away in the side-tables.
Dining options include The Dining Room, which offers an a la carte menu and table service for first class flyers...
... along with The Pantry for 'grab and go' meals.
The business class area features Cathay Pacific’s signature Noodle Bar and The Food Hall, which boasts a wide range of Western and international dishes including what the airline describes as 'traditional British fare'.
There's also a fully tended bar available to business and first class passenger, plus eight well-appointed shower suites so you can freshen up before your flight.
The Cathay Pacific London Lounge is open from 5.30am Monday to Saturday, and 7.30am Sunday, until 10.30pm each evening.
Entry is available to all Cathay Pacific business class travellers along with Marco Polo Club Gold members and their Oneworld equivalents (including Qantas Gold and British Airways Silver), plus business class passengers of other Oneworld airlines departing from Heathrow Terminal 3 (including Qantas and BA).
The first class area lays down the welcome mat to first class travellers with Cathay Pacific and other Oneworld airlines from T3 (including Qantas and BA), Marco Polo Club Diamond members and their Oneworld equivalents (including Qantas Platinum and British Airways Gold).
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
Compared to the Hong Kong lounges Cathay operates it looks very compact with seats almost on top of each other. I don't know it might just be me, but that's how the PR photos make it look.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
I also got some of that feeling myself, Henrus... and no doubt that the HKG Pier lounges are much bigger and thus can make much better use of the floor space when it comes to a little more room to move. I'd not be surprised if CX was also allowing extra seating to cater for increase in flights as well as likely visitation from BA and QF passengers into what, for now, would be T3's best Oneworld lounges.
British Airways Executive Club Gold
25 Jun 2015
Total posts 20
I'm off to NYC next week and now I knew I should've booked AA instead of BA. I didn't think CX would have the lounge opened this year which influenced my decision. At least I've got an exit row seat each way!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 319
BA is a OneWorld member, so you should be able to get entry if you have Status, or flying Business/First class..
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
Different terminal probably
British Airways Executive Club Gold
25 Jun 2015
Total posts 20
I'm well aware that BA is apart of oneworld, I've benefitted many times on oneworld carriers thanks to my gold card with BAEC :-)
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 318
The furniture is impressive, but I can't see any power outlets anywhere. Compare to the BA Galleries First Lounge in T3, with is grossly overworn and filthy furniture, but with power outlets beside every chair.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2563
Phil - the AC sockets are not obvious from these photos but they are there and quite plentiful... each of those little tables between the chairs (such as he ones with lamps atop them) contain a slide-out draw which contains both AC and USB sockets. This is the same arrangement as in all other new CX lounges, and I like it so much I'm tempted to hunt down the manufacturer of those tables and buy a few for my own flat! :) I'll dig up a pic of these tables and drop it into the article.
Qantas
22 Oct 2012
Total posts 318
That's excellent David. One power outlet & 2 USB connections per person! Far better than most lounges around the world. I expect I'll be changing my allegiance from the BA lounges to the CX at LHR T3.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Nov 2016
Total posts 45
There's quite a few chairs in T5 GF that don't have power outlets, especially in the Gold Bar section.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Ooooh Cathay you've done it again! This makes the BA T3 Galleries lounges look like a petting zoo!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Mar 2013
Total posts 171
Much appreciated David, looking forward to giving the CX lounge a burl. Cheers!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 May 2012
Total posts 178
Spent a few fantastic hours in this lounge before my QF2 flight yesterday. This is by far the best lounge in T3 (for one wolrld) it blows the rest out of the water. Lovely food,showers, seating and the staff were fantastic. Grabbed a glass of wine and watched planes land for a while. Happy days
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