I visited the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge before flying to Istanbul in business class with Turkish Airlines. Although this is not one of the best lounges I have visited, the service was very good, and there was a wide range of seating as well as good food and drink available.

Introducing the Air Canada Lounge

The Air Canada lounge embodies a fusion of modernity and comfort, providing an oasis away from the busy atmosphere elsewhere in Terminal 2. Air Canada has lounges in 16 airports across Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Other European lounges include:

Frankfurt: Terminal 1, Concourse B

Paris Charles de Gaulle: Terminal 2A, by Gate 37

Skytrax has given the Maple Leaf Lounge at Heathrow 4 stars for facilities and staff service.

How to Get to the Canada Maple Leaf Lounge 

The Air Canada Lounge is located in Zone B, after security, near gate 44. It takes 15 minutes + depending on how fast you walk, to get to the lounge from security. After passing security, go down one floor in the lift or via the escalator and follow signs to zone B. All the signs also have signs to relevant lounges too. 

Although the lounge is a long walk, I found it easier to find than the Plaza Premium Lounge I visited previously. After going on several travelators, you will reach Zone B, where you need to start following signs to the Air Canada Lounge.

Once you reach the lounge, you can enter via the stairs or lift.

Who Can Use the Air Canada Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2?

You don’t have to be flying with Air Canada to use the Maple Leaf Lounge. I was travelling with Turkish Airlines! You can access the lounge if you meet one of these requirements:

Air Canada Business Class: You can access the lounge automatically with a business class ticket with Air Canada. Because Air Canada is part of the Star Alliance, you can also access the KrisFlyer Lounge. Lufthansa and United Lounge.

Aeroplan Elite 50K, 75K, Super Elite Members: Members of Air Canada’s Aeroplan Elite tiers have access to the lounge.  Members can also bring in their spouse, one guest and up to 5 children at no extra cost. Additional guests can enter for £25 each.

Star Alliance Gold Card: If you have Star Alliance Gold, you can access all 4 Star Alliance lounges at Heathrow Terminal 2 free of charge with one guest. If you wish to bring more guests, it’s £25 per guest.

Business Class on a Star Alliance Flight: If you’re flying in business class on any Star Alliance airline, you can access all 4 Star Alliance lounges in Terminal 2. All but the Lufthansa lounge are located in Zone B, a long walk from the shopping area and a long walk back with no travelators (on the return) if you depart from Zone A or C. I was flying with Turkish Airlines, which doesn’t have its own lounge at Terminal 2. In this case, I recommend you choose a lounge near your departure gate.

If you Have Purchased Entry: Premium Economy, Latitude, comfort, or Flex fare, customers travelling on Air Canada can purchase a one-off lounge pass.

Don’t Meet The Criteria?

If you want to enjoy the lounge experience at Terminal 2, but you’re not flying in business class or do not have Star Alliance or equivalent status, I recommend the Plaza Premium Lounge, which I enjoyed in March before flying to Bangkok.

More food and drink options are available, and the lounge is larger. I preferred this lounge to the Air Canada and United Lounge. I will be publishing a full review of the Plaza Premium Lounge soon.

Opening Times

The lounge is open from 6:30 – 17:30.

My Experience

I received a friendly welcome at the desk on arrival. There was no queue so I entered straight away! Upon entering the lounge, you’ll be at the food station. If you go round the corner, there are lots of seating options.

My first impressions were that the lounge was one of the smallest ones I have ever been in, with little variety of food.

However, the lounge was not very busy at the time of my visit, and it did have everything I would need from a lounge and was close to gate B47, where I was departing from.

Seating

From plush armchairs to ergonomic workstations, you’ll find plenty of spaces to relax, indulge, take in the views or catch up on work in the Air Canada Lounge.

This seating area had access to plugs after opening a floor-level cover. They were not the most popular areas to sit in, and it was pretty hard to work with a chair spinning slightly and a low table. However, this area would be a good choice if you travel with a companion and are not working.

These plush window seats were in groups of 4. They were the most popular seating option with in-seat sockets, a resting table, and views of aircraft parking. If you are flying with Air Canada, you should also be able to see your plane from here.

Quiet Zones

Around 4 of these quiet zones were available, and only one was occupied during my visit. I would choose the Air Canada Lounge if I ever needed to catch up on some sleep at Terminal 2! This is one of the most private rooms I have seen in an airport lounge.

Food

Plenty of sandwiches, salad, cheeses and ham were available. This is not a wide variety, but it’s perfect for a healthy snack.

According to other lounge users, the cakes and cookies were delicious! The olives were also very fresh.

There was also a live cooking station where one chef was preparing toasties and paninis to order. In addition to this, there were some choices of ready-cooked hot food, including Thai curry and rice. There was also a pasta dish available.

Drinks

There was no bar menu during my visit, but all the drinks seemed to be complimentary (unlike some in the Plaza Premium Lounge). I was told that all the drinks were displayed when requesting the menu. There were also no mocktails available.

Toilets and Showers

According to Air Canada, the lounge features a ‘spa-like shower area’, but this was locked during my visit. The toilets were a lot nicer than the toilets outside the lounges in Terminal 2, but they were not the best lounge toilets I have been in!

Other Lounge Options at Heathrow Terminal 2

There are five other lounges available at Terminal 2:

Star Alliance Lounges

• Lufthansa Business Class Lounge
• Singapore Airlines – View the full review here
• United Airlines United Club Lounge

If you are unsure which lounge to visit, read the TLFL comparison guide here.

Other Lounges

• Aer Lingus Lounge
• Plaza Premium – Review coming soon

Final Words

If I was departing from gate B, I might opt for the United Lounge another time. However, I would revisit if I needed to catch up on sleep or were flying with Air Canada. Also, if the United Lounge were too busy, I would switch to the Air Canada Lounge.

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Air France’s relatively new lounge at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is a real gem in the combined Franco-Dutch carrier’s lounge network. With a fresh design template, this lounge is a great example of how an outstation lounge should be – but there are already signs it is going downhill. Here’s why.

Access

Naturally, passengers flying in Business, and First if in operation, on Air France or KLM are admissible to the lounge alongside their respective Flying Blue Gold and Platinum members. 

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold, thanks to their SkyTeam Elite Plus status, are able to use this space too. Delta flights are ineligible because these depart from the separate transborder area of YUL. 

As Air France’s new lounge at Montreal Airport is operated by Plaza Premium, passengers travelling internationally, excluding the US, can enter the lounge by pre-booking on their website for around GBP 40. This was how I entered since I was flying on Air Transat. 

Using an American Express Platinum card or paying upon arrival is theoretically possible, but on my visit, they were turning away these passengers to limit crowding. 

Opening hours are 5 am until 10 pm. Air France and KLM flights depart Montreal between 5 pm and 7 pm, meaning the lounge will be at its quietest before 2 pm and after 7 pm. 

Impressions

At the reception, I was quickly admitted into the lounge despite arriving one hour before my entry slot. The reception area is warm and cosy, with stairs leading up to the main space. This is far better set up than the Banque Nationale Lounge a few steps away, where a small reception desk sits on the main floor, leading to overcrowding for people waiting to get in. 

Immediately upon arrival, you’re greeted by a model of Air France’s most iconic aircraft, the Concorde, with two sofas in front of it. This is quite an awkward design, as I would never quite get comfortable with new people consistently streaming in.

The historic Concorde contrasts with the beautiful modern marvel of the Airbus A350 sitting on the apron. Despite the close proximity to Air France’s regular boarding gate, they haven’t or chose not to implement direct boarding from the lounge. 

Opposite this model aircraft is locker storage which is useful, particularly in peak hours where a carry-on suitcase may be a bit wieldy. 

To the left of the entrance is a selection of seating areas. Close to the window are seats and tables suitable for working on a laptop with plentiful 2-pin US-style power outlets. Towards the far end of this area is a range of comfortable solo seats eclectically scattered around the space. 

A padded booth without a door can be used to take phone calls. While it is clad in soft materials, I highly doubt it would be able to disperse the noise enough not to disturb other guests. 

An area is roped off here, which doesn’t appear spectacular, but I believe is reserved for Flying Blue Elites, but not SkyTeam Elites.

To the right of the entrance is the main part of the lounge, where we see a similar range of seating but deployed more thoughtfully.  Here, solo seats are deployed in an arrangement of four with slatted wood to create an illusion of privacy. 

However, the main reason for coming to this part of the lounge is the dining area, which was packed when I first arrived. The designers of the lounge have been able to deploy a sufficient variation of seating types to suit couples, groups and solo travellers. I particularly liked this long table with the inclusion of lamps for ambient lighting and wireless charging pads for convenient connectivity. 

Another reserved area, this time for dining, can be found in this part of the lounge too. This is exclusively for Air France KLM passengers in Business Class, although nobody was using it despite being here in peak hours for those travellers. 

Food, beverages and amenities 

Dining options in this lounge were okay. On a par with British Airways lounges but worse than Air France and KLM in their hub airports. The food was a combination of self-serve hot and cold dishes at the buffet as well as hot sandwiches and desserts that were requested at the bar. 

Soft drinks and hot drinks are self-serve.

While I liked the toasted sandwich, the white chicken dish and rice failed to impress, instead resembling dated canteen fare. The Basa fish fillet was surprisingly decent, though. Desserts consisted of two small pieces of cakes that were pretty dry and unappetising.

Speaking of the bar area, a decent selection of alcohol can be found if you wish to consume it from staff who were quite chirpy. I didn’t have any, but the Air France website suggests a selection of French wines, and champagne is available.

Onto the shower rooms, which on the surface look good despite the narrow proportions. On the positive side, the shower was hot and had plenty of pressure, meaning I took off to London feeling refreshed and clean.

Maintenance, on the other hand, seems subpar. To start with were the lidless containers for shower gel, shampoo and conditioner – not to mention the generic brand scratchy feel when applied to your skin. I don’t have a problem with large containers over the awkward mini versions, but the lack of lids seemed a bit unhygienic. 

Equally, it would be nice to see Air France’s partnership with Clarins carry over to this part of the lounge. While I get the lounge is managed by Plaza Premium, the contract is stipulated by Air France KLM, who should really have a better standard here. 

Finally, there seemed to be a random cut-out in the ceiling, which had been temporarily filled with a piece of plasterboard. Did it cause me problems? Of course not. It’s worth noting this lounge is quite new and already appears to be having maintenance problems which shouldn’t really be there. 

Back in the main lounge area after my shower, I spent a fair amount of time typing away at my laptop to work on some articles. Lounge WiFi was speedy, and I was able to stay charged up throughout my three-hour stay.

Conclusion 

I’m in two minds about Air France’s new lounge. On the surface, Air France’s design language is beautiful, and I love what they have done with the space; however, the implementation feels like they are working with a constrained budget. From the average food to the shoddy amenities in the bathroom, it just feels like they need to spend a bit more to elevate the experience further.

Would I pay to enter again? No. It’s overpriced. I would use it if I could enter as part of my ticket, airline status or with an eligible credit card, particularly in off-peak hours. 

Like our review of Air France’s new lounge at Montreal Airport? You can read more Airline Lounge reviews here. 

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I had the pleasure of flying with Finnair in business class on a recent trip from Heathrow Terminal 3 to Helsinki. As part of the luxurious experience, I had access to the Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge, and I have to say, it was one of the best lounges I have ever visited. While there is another lounge reserved for first-class passengers or OneWorld Emerald members, I was happy with the standard of the Cathay Pacific lounge. Here is everything you need to know. You can read about the Cathay Pacific First class lounge in this review.

How to Get to the Cathay Pacific Business Lounge

The Cathay Pacific business lounge is located at Heathrow Terminal 3 near gate 11. It was very easy to find compared to some other lounges I have been to. After security, walk through the shopping plaza, following signs to lounge C. There are lots of signs, so it’s hard to get lost. Once you reach lounge C, go up in the lift, and you will be in the lounge reception area.

Cathay Pacific Business Lounge Opening Times

The Cathay Pacific business lounge is open from 5:30 until 21:00 OR the last Cathay Pacific service departure on that day.

Who Can Access the Cathay Pacific Lounge?

• British Airways Executive Club Members with Silver Status or Higher.
• Marco Polo Silver status holders are flying with Cathay Pacific.
• First Class and Business Class passengers that are flying on Cathay Pacific or OneWorld Airlines. OneWorld airlines frequently flying from Heathrow Terminal 3 include American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, JAL, LATAM, Qantas, Royal Jordanian & Sri Lankan Airlines.
• Cathay Pacific silver, gold and platinum members (the more status you have, the more guests you are allowed).
• Green Cathay Pacific members who have purchased a lounge pass. Lounge passes can also be purchased using Asia miles and can be purchased for travel companions too.
• Cargo Clan elite members.

The Cathay Pacific Lounge

From the moment I set foot in the lounge, I knew I was in for a treat. My eyes were immediately drawn to the floor-to-ceiling views, which were visible from rows of plush, comfortable seats. Despite the early morning hour of 7:00 am, the lounge was incredibly serene, making it the perfect place to relax before my flight. As I made my way towards the entrance, there was a mouth-watering scent of c breakfast.

I was impressed by the layout of the lounge, with the buffet area conveniently located near the entrance and rows of cosy seating overlooking the runway. Additionally, there were group seating options further back. The work area, located in a separate quiet space at the back of the lounge, was ideal for those looking to get some work done before takeoff.

My initial impressions of the lounge are that it looked very comfortable and had great runway views. At 7:00 am, the lounge was very quiet. Despite this, there was an excellent spread of breakfast choices.

Seating

Step into the Cathay Pacific business lounge, and you will be greeted by an abundance of seating options, each more enticing than the last.

Private high-sided booths provide the perfect space for relaxation. If you can’t resist the allure of a stunning view, comfortable chairs with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the runway are a must-try. If you are travelling with a group, there are spacious seating areas further back. 

Some seating had useful plug sockets that were easy to reach, and there was wifi information throughout the lounge.

The noodle bar was empty. I am not sure if was open during my visit. There are various Asian and Western dishes which are all cooked to order.

Food

I was very hungry when I arrived at the lounge after an early wakeup, a shuttle from the Renaissance hotel and check-in.

Although the lounge was very quiet, the staff had still gone to great effort to ensure a good selection of food and drinks were offered. Everything available looked very appetising. I opted for a coffee and some of the hot breakfast options. The hash browns were especially delicious. Hot food included full English breakfast options. There were also several salads. There was also a fridge with a good selection of ham and cheese.

Drinks

The coffee was also delicious!

Food and Drink at Other Times of Day

Several cocktails are available, including:

• Aperol Spritz
• Amaretto Sour
• Bloody Mary
• Martini Cosmopolitan
• Daiquiri
• Expresso Martini
• Margarita
• Old-fashioned whisky sour
• Mojito
• Negroni
• Manhattan

Other mocktails, soft drinks and spirits included:

Toilets and Showers

The toilets were very luxurious. Showers are also available. A member of staff was in there cleaning and giving out towels etc. You can enter the shower area by showing your boarding pass to the staff. There were Aesop toiletries available, and the toilets were at a much higher standard than others available outside the lounge.

Other Lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3

• Club Aspire Heathrow Terminal 3 Lounge – read the review here
• NO.1 Traveller Lounge
• Cathay Pacific First Lounge – read the review here
• BA Galleries First Lounge
• BA Galleries Club Lounge
• Emirates Lounge
• Qantas Business Lounge
• Qantas First Lounge – view the business and first reviews here
• American Airlines First
• American Airlines Business Class – view the first and business class lounge reviews
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
• American Express Centurian Lounge
• Plaza Premium Lounge (arrivals)

Final Words

The Cathay Pacific is one of the best lounges available at Heathrow Terminal 3 and has everything I need to relax and refuel before a flight. Although the lounge was very quiet, a good selection of food was on offer, and it looked like it could cope with being busy without getting overrun. The variety of seating options is suited to all traveller types, whether you are travelling solo, in a group or on a work trip.

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Is Gatwick’s ‘Premium’ Clubroom Lounge Worth the £38 Entry Fee? After hearing numerous reports from fellow travel enthusiasts about difficulty getting into Priority Pass lounges, I wanted to ensure I could get into a lounge before my flight on Air Transat to Canada. 

Options at Gatwick’s North Terminal to Priority Pass, or in my case Lounge Key, holders include:

• Entry level: The Gateway by easyJet (operated by No.1 Lounges)
• Mid-tier: No.1 Lounge
• Premium: The Clubrooms by No.1 Lounges (surcharge for LoungeKey holders)

I opted for The Clubroom because of the lack of reviews online (gotta get that content in ) – as well as thinking the £15 reservation fee would mean a quieter experience. Both the No.1 Lounge and The Clubroom can be reserved here for those with a credit card lounge membership.

The lounge is found in the same area of North Terminal as all other lounges, including Emirates, although it is located on Level 1 – not Level 3 as per No.1 and easyJet.

For a premium lounge, the entrance is understated and frankly underwhelming. 

Directly after entering, I was welcomed by a member of staff almost one hour prior to my reserved slot who quickly validated my HSBC UK Lounge Key. The space is lit exclusively with lights due to the exterior light being blocked through the windows. There’s a rather odd seated area for two guests to watch television which I can imagine is rarely used. 

A bar, that had two staff during my morning visit, splits the lounge into two main areas – although the seating around it is all living room style. The lounge does not offer barista-made coffee. 

An area for hot drinks can be found towards the rear of the lounge – although it wasn’t entirely clear if this was self-serve or supposed to be used only by staff. 

The toilets were just behind here. Functional with a decent design but equally they weren’t spotlessly clean and they could certainly improve here.

Menus and table service are provided in this lounge – with surcharges for premium alcohol. Here’s a look at the breakfast offering, which was more substantial than suggested on the website, as well as the drinks:

The food was unimpressive, frankly, and should be improved for a premium lounge space with quality that left a lot to be desired. If you are paying the full entry price, you would do better to spend your money at a restaurant elsewhere in the terminal. 

While this is a quiet and comfortable space to spend a couple of hours, I would not go out of my way to visit again – and certainly not pay the £38 per person that No.1 Lounges charges for entry to this premium space. If you’ve tried the Clubroom outside of the morning period, I’d be interested to see how you found it – let us know in the comments below.

Like our Gatwick’s Premium Clubroom Lounge review? You can read more Airline Lounge reviews here. 

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On Tuesday, British Airways and American Airlines showcased their new lounges and premium check-in areas at New York JFK’s Terminal 8. British Airways last flight from T7 will be on the evening on 30 November with the lounges opening on 1 December at T8. I’ve flown over on a press trip with BA and AA to see the new lounges. There will also be reviews of the AA/BA flights.

Customers will benefit from a more seamless travel experience with easier connections as the two airlines co-locate operations as part of a $400 million investment. This marks the completion of the first phase of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s redevelopment of the airport. T7 where BA was formerly located will be rebuilt as part of an expanded T6.

To celebrate British Airways’ move from Terminal 7 to Terminal 8; New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, American Airlines and British Airways today announced the opening of a newly expanded Terminal 8, marking the completion of the first phase of the historic JFK Vision Plan that is transforming the international airport into a world-class global hub.

American Airlines CEO said that previously BA and AA were neighbours but “now we are more like roommates”.

It’s not just British Airways and American Airlines that will be located at T8. Iberia plans to move into Terminal 8 on Dec. 1, and Japan Airlines expects to move its operations to Terminal 8 in May 2023.

Operational enhancements of Terminal 8 include five new widebody gates, four new widebody parking positions, and an expanded and upgraded baggage handling system that will together support additional transatlantic flights. The terminal has also been expanded with approximately 130,000 square feet of additional and refurbished space.

Three luxury joint lounges are named after neighbourhoods found in London and New York — Chelsea Lounge, Soho Lounge and Greenwich Lounge. While the lounges open this week, there are still some additional features to come in the future for relaxation.

Check-in areas

For Club World and Silver/Bronze BA Executive Club members, there is a new joint check-in area which is to the right of the economy check-in areas on the right-hand side of the terminal. 

As well as the new premium check-in area, there is also an exclusive First area that is available for BA First, GGL and Gold customers and is definitely of the most intimate and luxurious areas I have seen from these brands. It could definitely compete with the Middle Eastern airlines’ equivalents.

The area has seating for those that have luggage or require a longer check-in as well as the more traditional desks for those that just need to pick up a boarding pass or show documents quickly.

The exit to the area takes you to the TSA Pre-Check lane, and for those without it, there is also an expedited security lane that you can use.

Lounges

Greenwich lounge

For those with silver status or in Club World/American Business class with Bronze or no status there is the Greenwich lounge. This was formally the Flagship lounge which was already relatively new and always a great-looking space.

• Premium wine table
• Expansive seating
• Chef-inspired meals
• Terrace Bar
• Airside views

• Access:
  • American Airlines: Customers travel Flagship® Business and AAdvantage Platinum® on qualifying Flagship® itineraries
  • British Airways: Customers with access to Club lounge

Soho lounge

Near to gate 18, not far from where you exit security, are the lifts for the Soho and Chelsea lounges. 

The Soho lounge is for BA Gold and oneworld Emerald. I have to say, as I walked in, I was really impressed. This is definitely the best First lounge that BA has produced to date. It feels modern, elegant and luxurious. Most importantly, for any aviation geeks reading, you can see the aircraft parked right outside, so it has some great views of the airfield.

There is a large bar area with seating which then leads into the main dining area.

Prior to this are two gorgeously honed workbenches with charging points along them.

I particularly loved the beautiful chandelier of what looked like clouds above the central point of the dining area. 

There is a large buffet area to help yourself to food as well as stations to grab a drink from. You can also get drinks from the bar as well if you want something more complex.

Pretty much every set of armchairs has a power socket and USB charging points. 

Further back are some private booths for phone calls with a proper door so you don’t have to hear some over important business person bellowing into their phone!

This then leads into the Library area, which is a quiet area to relax. Close to the entrance of this is the wine-tasting area with its bespoke petrified wooden table. 

If you want some privacy without a full phone booth there are some nice individual work areas hidden around the corner from the Library with full airfield views.

There are showers and toilets available within the lounge that are the same as those in the Chelsea lounge.

At a glance:

• Floor-to-ceiling windows with airside views
• Vibrant cocktail bar
• Secluded library
• 30-foot communal wine-pouring table
• Luxury rain showers in the private shower rooms
• Access:
  • American Airlines: Eligibility includes AAdvantage Executive Platinum® or Platinum Pro® status on qualifying Flagship® itineraries
  • British Airways: Customers with access to First lounge

The Chelsea lounge

This lounge can be accessed by British Airways customers with access to Concorde Lounges – so BA Gold Guest List, BA First class customers and AA Concierge Key holders. 

As you walk in, you are initially greeted by the reception desks that follow into the very glamourous bar area. For those that love a glass of fizz, this will be a big highlight as they had a great selection of champagne, including my personal favourite Krug. Others include Ruinart, Hattingley English Sparkling Wine, Moet et Chandon and a lovely Paul Laurent Rosé that I really enjoyed. 

Here is the full drinks list:

In the centre of the room is the dining area, which features a great menu, including a traditional afternoon tea. 

Here are the menus:

The shepherd’s pie would not be something I would normally rave about, but this was fantastic. A real depth to the rich lamb filling underneath the creamy mash. Bear in mind that these are taster portions for the media – the real ones will be bigger!

The only downside for those that love watching aircraft is that there are no windows here for a bit of plane gazing. However, the Soho lounge is right next door with floor-to-ceiling windows, and most transatlantic aircraft take off at night, so there is less to see. 

At a glance:

• Champagne bar
• Fireside lounge
• Luxury showers
• A la carte dining
• Access:
  • American Airlines: Customers who purchase Flagship® Business Plus or travelling in Flagship® First or ConciergeKey® on Flagship® itineraries
  • British Airways: Customers with access to Concorde Room

What do you think about the new lounges? Let us know in the comments below.

Interested for more reviews? Check out our review about the Chase Sapphire Lounge By The Club, Hong Kong International Airport.

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What’s Amsterdam like now?

A review of KLM’s non Schengen Crown business lounge. I was recently at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam which to be honest is the only reason I would choose to fly there at the moment. Having managed to get the passenger chaos under control towards the end of the summer, sadly it has descended into a mess again. It’s entirely of their own making as Schiphol were paying security staff a bonus during the summer. As soon as they decided to stop the payment a large number of staff resigned leaving them short-staffed again. 

It’s worth noting that if you are connecting at Schiphol, it’s usually not as bad, so I wouldn’t let that put you off. 

I arrived on British Airways much later than planned due to a cancelled flight and then the replacement flight being delayed. This meant we touched down after 10pm. As usual, there was a very long taxi to the terminal and then a wait to actually get off the plane too. 

When we finally got off and had to trek the long walk to immigration, of course, all the walkways were already turned off, which is poor for a major airport. 10pm is not exactly the middle of the night!

Once we arrived at the escalator for immigration we were greeted by a very grumpy and rude staff member who put the barrier across meaning we were not able to go downstairs. When the BA crew came along and removed the barrier on one side to allow the crew to proceed (they have a separate lane in immigration) the staff member was extremely rude to the captain. This did not help to ease the rising tension in the line when a staff member is deliberately antagonistic. Should you be faced with this, there is apparently another security line a 10-minute walk past this, but since no one was sure this was still open I decided to stay put. 

We then had a passenger push his way to the front of the queue, who the staff member ignored. When other people politely asked what he was doing he said that he would not be queueing as he was business class! When the reply from several irate business class passengers came that we were all business class and he should return to his original place, he said he was going to call the police! Unbelievable! Travel really seems to bring out the worst in some people. 

We were held there for around 15-20 minutes and then eventually let downstairs to the immigration hall. Here the queue was completely full for the non-EU and pretty full in the EU passports too. Not a single e-gate was working! I was quite astonished that on the eve of the aviation industry’s major yearly event with airport and airline CEOs flying in that they could have got themselves into such a mess. 

After around another 30 minutes, I eventually got through and left well over an hour after landing even with no checked luggage. Schiphol had originally promised it would all be under control again by 1 October but given this was the 4 October, it’s obvious they didn’t manage it.

Coming back was much better, probably helped by the fact that I was there around 3pm which is a quiet time of day usually. I was travelling with KLM in business class and had access to Fast Track security. There was no queue for check-in or fast-track security, fortunately. 

Have you flown through Amsterdam recently? Let us know about your experience in the section below.

KLM’s non Schengen Crown business lounge

The lounge is relatively new, having fully opened in 2019 not long before Covid. All the lounges at Schiphol have a number, and the Crown lounge is 52. Schiphol is somewhat lacking in non-Schengen lounges since the British Airways one has closed. The Aspire Priority Pass one is used by most airlines and often has a long queue. 

The KLM’s non Schengen Crown business lounge is located between piers E and F and opens between 4.45am and 10pm or when the last KLM flight departs. 

There is access for:

• Business Class passengers;
• Flying Blue Platinum and Gold members plus one guest (additional guests on payment);
• SkyTeam Elite Plus members plus one guest.
• You can also buy lounge access if flying KLM or one of their partners

I loved the entrance which is made of walls of the Dutch houses that you get given on board KLM’s long haul business class as a gift.

I found the staff very welcoming and helpful in the lounge, greeting me warmly as I arrived. The KLM’s non Schengen Crown Lounge feels huge and is spread over two floors. The lounge is divided into a number of different zones with “Sky” being on the top floor with the Blue bar and restaurant. 

I first headed up to the Blue bar on the top floor. This is rather a strange concept as it is meant to be a cut above the lounge, but you have to pay for the food and all premium drinks. This struck me as an odd concept, particularly in terms of paying for food. However, Blue’s menu is compiled by Joris Bijdendijk of RIJKS®, the Rijksmuseum’s Michelin-starred restaurant which maybe is worth paying for if you want a special meal with great views. It did look a lovely space. 

The restaurant itself was shut, but the bar was open. Until recently, this upstairs section had been closed and it was still very quiet. 

The best thing about it is the terrace, perfect for the summer to watch the airport with a drink. The bar itself was impressive to look at, with plenty of different seating areas for privacy or comfort.

The downstairs part of the KLM’s non Schengen Crown Lounge does not have great views since a bridge blocks most of it, so Sky is the place to come for some airport action.

Here is the menu of drinks showing what is included and what you have to pay for: (notice you can pay cash or Flying Blue miles)

Back downstairs, there is the “Polder” area which is more work orientated as well as space for more relaxed seating. There is a buffet area down this end, but it was closed when I was there and I couldn’t see anywhere to get a proper drink except at the other end of the lounge.

The 110-metre LED light wall is meant to simulate the Dutch sky. The lighting adapts to the time of day and includes a sunset. The area had the feeling of the countryside or a forest with the green floor and the tree trunks. 

The main bench seating has regular power points dotted along, and there are also work zones with benches and high stools that have plenty of charging options including USB or normal sockets.

I particularly liked the individual work booths, but they were all full when I was there.

There are also some pod chairs facing the floor-to-ceiling windows, which would be a quiet place to work.

I went for the comfy seats by the window, which again were pretty private and had half a view!

If you needed a computer for some reason there were two macs, but one was broken. Next to them was a printer. 

There were coffee and water stations dotted around the lounge with sparkling and still water on tap as well as various sodas.

While I loved the quirky design of the “Mountain” I found it slightly perplexing as to why you would include something with lots of steps in an airport lounge.

The other side of the lounge is referred to as “City” and this is where the buffet and main bar are.

I found it slightly dark in the eating area, but there were plenty of choices of areas to sit. 

The buffet was a little basic, but there was a least a choice of hot and cold food. I’d say it was comparable to most European airline lounges, if a little dull. 

There was a salad bar:

With some meat and cheese

Some ready-made sandwiches and soup:

Then a selection of hot dishes including a chilli, ratatouille, pasta and rice:

I sampled a little of the ratatouille and the salad, which were both fresh tasting. 

The best bit was probably the pastry station:

The drinks were separately at the bar which was very impressive with its copper Heineken wall.

There was no champagne, but the Cava was perfectly drinkable. Again the bar staff were friendly and chatty despite having to deal with the somewhat inebriated person next to me. 

There was a reasonable range of free spirits and wines available, plus of course, beer. 

There were also some very average wines available, but the one I had was drinkable. 

The Sea area downstairs has twenty free showers, which you can reserve in advance at the lounge’s self-service kiosks. There are also luxury sleeping cabins for a fee – using Flying Blue miles, or three hours for €49,50.

The washrooms were large and modern with soft individual hand towels to dry your hands. KLM’s non Schengen Crown lounge uses the gorgeous looking ‘The Amsterdam Collection’ by Rituals which smell wonderful too. The fragrance is Dutch tulips and Japanese yuzu and is exclusive to KLM. 

Conclusion for KLM’s non Schengen Crown business lounge

In terms of design, this is a very impressive lounge with lots of design touches like the copper lamps and forest feel. A lot of thought has gone into creating different zones for different needs. However, I would have liked more areas to get alcoholic drinks rather than having to go across the lounge to one of the bars. It was very quiet when I was there, probably partly due to the time of day, but it makes a refreshing change to be in a lounge that is not overcrowded. 

The food and drink are not anything special but perfectly acceptable for me. I loved the Sky area with its views and terrace. It felt more like a swanky hotel bar than an airport lounge. The concept of having to pay for premium drinks is an interesting one. Given that there was a decent choice of free drinks, I don’t have too much of an issue with KLM’s policy. If it became more like American where there is a choice of about only three spirits I would have more of a problem with it. 

Watch out for my review of my KLM business class flight later this week. 

Like our KLM’s non Schengen Crown business lounge at Amsterdam review? you can read more airflight lounges here. 

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A few weeks ago I had some time to kill so I headed around the various British Airways’ lounges at Heathrow’s terminal 5. If you want to see what the Galleries Club lounge is like (BA Silver and Business class) then head over to this article. 

This is the review of the Galleries First lounge which is in the South lounges complex. You can enter directly through the first wing which is the first-class check-in area or through the main Galleries South entrance which is downstairs after check-in, near Fortnum and Mason’s. 

Entry and opening hours

Entry is restricted to those who are Gold cardholders or above and those travelling in First class. You can, of course, use the Concorde Room if you are travelling first. However, if you are in a rush and just want to grab something, the first lounge can be better now there is help yourself food and drink back.

The lounge is open 5am-10pm daily.

Seating

The airport was very busy when I was there but there were still a few seats available. There is also a terrace which tends to be a bit cooler.

There are some new chairs in glass partitioned areas which I thought looked quite smart.

Food and drink

There has been a fairly big change over the last few weeks with not only drinks available to pour yourself but now a rather tempting looking buffet has appeared. This actually looks a bit better than before! It’s situated by where the sandwiches used to be next to the (empty) newspaper rack and TV screens rather than at the back where the food used to be.

This had a wide selection of food to choose from including:

• salads with a choice of dressings
• sloppy joes jackfruit with nachos
• BBQ chicken wings
• penne bolognaise
• sandwiches 
• cake

There is also a hydration station with various infused waters.

Further down there are chilled cabinets with still and sparkling water as well as fruit and muffins.

By the luggage storage area, there are also coffee machines with pastries available.

There is still a table ordering service using the QR codes at the table. Here was the main courses menu when I was there last month:

And here are the drinks you could order:

There are plenty of spirits and wines to help yourself to as well. They have a selection of Mr Lyon’s pre-made cocktails too.

There were three types of champagne/sparkling wine: Canard Duchene (fairly decent), Hattingley Valley (excellent English fizz) and Lanson Rose (not a fan).

There were also the same wines from the list available to help yourself to. 

Here are the pre-made Mr Lyon cocktails – note the Aviation gin in the background which is also relatively new.

Other facilities

I was pleased to see that there are now more work facilities. As well as a few desks by the entrance to the terrace, there is a dedicated area at the very back next to the sleep pods. This tends to be the quietest and coolest area in the lounge. Instead of the champagne bar, there is now a series of sockets with a worktop and stools. 

There are no longer magazines and newspapers but you can use Press Reader to read hundreds of publications on your mobile device.

There is now also shopping brought to your seat which I think is a great idea. It’s only available for Fortnum and Mason’s and Burberry but you order through the app like food and then it is brought to your seat. 

The Forty Winks nap area is also still there at the back of the lounge and you can also access Restworks audio relaxation content through the lounge app.

Sadly the Elemis spa closed permanently during the pandemic but BA continue to look at future options for wellness. You can also use the app to see shower availability. The showers are outside the lounge towards the Concorde room. If they are full on the app, head over to the shower reception area. 

Conclusion

While BA has had its challenges operationally, the First lounge has actually improved to be better than before the pandemic in my opinion. Now, as well as having DIY options you can also get table service and it’s good to see a choice of cocktails and some drinkable fizz too. 

It’s a shame the spa went but let’s hope eventually it comes back. 

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I only made Gold Guest List just before Covid hit and for some reason, I had never flown First out of JFK even though I had flown to JFK in First. So somewhat surprisingly, this was my first chance to try the Concorde Room. 

Who can use the British Airways Concorde Room lounge?

The Concorde Room can be accessed by:

• BA Gold Guest List Members
• Those travelling in First Class on BA

Where is the British Airways Concorde Room lounge?

The main lounges are up a flight of escalators as you come out of security.

The Concorde lounge is actually somewhere else which I hadn’t realised so I headed up to the main lounges.

To access the Concorde lounge you need to carry on towards the gates and then turn left towards the start of the gates. It is well signposted. 

Entering the British Airways Concorde Room lounge

Both the lounge agent here and at the Concorde Room seemed confused by my Gold Guest List status and queried if I was allowed in. In September BA changed the rules that all GGLs can access the Concorde Loinges, not just Concorde Card Holders. I was then directed to the Concorde Room.  It’s well signed posted. On arrival I had to show my Concorde Room card which again was not strictly necessary.

I also had the pleasure of talking to well known mixologist Mr Lyan who has been working with BA to design the cocktails for both Concorde Rooms and had done some special cocktails on the way out. He was a lovely guy to chat to and it sounds like they are looking at whether they may do some of his cocktails in the air as well which is great news. 

The lounge layout

Once inside I was impressed with the feel of the lounge. It’s smaller than the Heathrow one and felt cosier and more intimate. There are large floor to ceiling windows which from some areas allow you to see the airfield. 

As you first enter there are toilets, showers and a baggage storage area. 

There’s a large main seating area leading down to the piano with individuals areas screened off with the shelves. 

If you just want to grab some water or a snack there is a table on the left as you enter the seating area. 

We settled down on a comfy sofa and almost immediately were offered a choice of still or sparkling water. Then we were asked if we knew what we wanted to drink or needed the menu. Well, obviously we asked whether they had Laurrent Perrier Grand Siecle as I had heard that it wasn’t being served a few weeks ago. Sure enough, they found some so we happily sipped our way through a glass or two.

To the right is a bar but it is not like the Heathrow one you can sit at. 

If you just want a nibble or snack there is a help-yourself spread of cheeses by the bar.

There was also some fruit. The sapphire grapes were delicious – full of flavour and sweet. 

You can also see all the wines they are serving in display there.

A closer look:

There is a a further seating area that is slightly hidden beyond the piano.

You are even allowed to play the piano..

The lounge was very quiet when we were there.

As is the way in Heathrow’s lounge,  I didn’t spot many charging points but they did have a display of power banks.

The restaurant

Like Heathrow, there is a proper restaurant that looks very similar with individual booths. 

The waiting staff were so lovely in the lounge. Very friendly and constantly trying to tempt us with more food or drinks!

Here is the lounge menu with drinks as well:

I thought the menu looked pretty good, although maybe another main course choice would be good since two are burgers.

I decided to just have a starter as I was eating on the flight.

The scallops were perfectly cooked and I enjoyed the crunch and freshness of the jicama (a bit like a radish crossed with an apple) and apple. The hints of chive and chervil were also delicious. You normally get less than this but the server was concerned I was only having a starter so insisted on getting me a larger portion.

My friend had the Thai curry and pronounced it very tasty.

I tried the Buena Vista Chardonnay which I really enjoyed.

We were both seduced by the thought of salted caramel ice cream which was amazing! So silky and not too sickly. 

As we were leaving the lounge the server followed us and made sure we took a couple of the chocolate mints by the door. Do not go in the lounge if you are on a diet!! Also, the lovely Phil from the Concorde Team (she’s female so not sure if that’s how you spell her name) spotted me on the way out of the lounge and wished me a great flight home – they really do recognition well at JFK being smaller. I only met her once when I arrived and she remembered me!

Conclusion

I loved my first visit to the Concorde Room in JFK. I would say overall I prefer it to the Heathrow one as it is a bit more intimate feeling and the staff were really amazing!

Next to be published will be my return flight from JFK and then later in the week a more general New York trip report. 

Like our British Airways Concorde Room lounge review? You can read more Airline Lounge reviews here. 

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This is my review of the American Express New Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow T3.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to have a tour and sample the facilities for American Express’ first Centurion lounge in Europe. Heathrow’s Terminal 3 has always been a great terminal for lounges and the new Centurion lounge is a worthy opponent to many of the established favourites such as the Qantas and Cathay lounges (both still closed). 

The lounge opens for the first time today, 12 October, but I was lucky to get a sneak peek yesterday.

Overview

“We are thrilled to introduce the Centurion Lounge experience to our Card Members traveling through London’s Heathrow Airport and make their return to travel even more special,” said Pablo Rivero, Vice President & General Manager, Global Lounge Experiences. “From bespoke interior design to signature bites from a Michelin-Star chef, we continue to raise the bar for airport lounges by providing truly unique, top-notch premium experiences.”

Spanning over 7,000 square feet (650 square meters), the new lounge has a very British feel with a focus on London in particular. But Centurion fans will be pleased to know it still has all the things you would expect from an Amex lounge. I love visiting Centurion lounges in the States as they are consistently good with modern decor and high-quality food and drinks. London is no exception and I’d say it’s the best one I have visited. 

The lounge features:

• Curated Global Menu by Michelin-Star Chef Assaf Granit: Chef Assaf Granit of Coal Office in London will serve as the Executive Chef. Chef Assaf Granit’s menu ties back to London’s rich multicultural heritage through signature dishes from his top restaurants across the globe. Dishes include his staple homemade Kubalah bread, fried pita chips with tahini, shakshukit, a beef & lamb dish with confit tomatoes and tahini, and for dessert, a “Oh ‘My Baklava” olive oil cake with pistachio anglaise and rose water diplomat.

• British-Inspired Tea Cart with Hot and Cold Beverage Selections: Celebrating the nation’s tea tradition, the first-ever Centurion Lounge tea cart will host a selection of local hot and cold teas as well as pastries. In the mornings, Card Members can stay energized during their travels with immune booster drinks, mango infused coconut water, peach iced tea and more. The bar will have offerings from legendary mixologist Jim Meehan, whose menu features British cocktails like the Wayne’s Collins, a mashup of the Tom Collins and White Negroni, and non-alcoholic mixtures like the Hare of the Fog, a Negroni riff featuring England’s own Seedlip spirit and Aecorn aperitifs. The lounge will feature global wines sourced from France, Italy, Argentina, and more, exclusively selected by Wine Director Anthony Giglio.

• Seasonal Soapsmith Products by Samantha Jameson: The new lounge will host a collection of award-winning, bespoke scented bath and body care products from London-based Soapsmith. Founder Samantha Jameson’s line of six signature scents is inspired by different areas of London and made by a family of highly skilled soapsmiths with local ingredients. The scents will be rotated seasonally in the lounge, starting with “Hackney,” a tribute to the borough where Samantha grew up.

• British Art and Design: From a moss wall that nods to London’s famous Hyde Park to a series of architectural pencil artwork by Minty Sainsbury, the lounge interior will transport guests on a journey to discover London through design. The lounge will feature custom furniture sourced from UK-based producers Konk, Naughtone and Deadgood and an art gallery curated by Art Story, including Norman Parkinson’s fashion photography as well as original pieces by Carne Griffiths and Stephen Marshall. Each artwork contains a QR code so Card Members can digitally engage with it and learn more about the piece and artist. The lounge will also feature luxury and modern lighting designs by Lee Broom and Tom Dixon, two of the UK’s leading product designers in lighting design.

Location

All the other lounges in the terminal are grouped together in a row. This one is located where lounge A was (no one can remember what it used to be).

You need to look for Accessorize which is no 20 below on the map and the lift to go to the lounge is right next to it. If you turn right as you come out of security and keep going you should come to it eventually!

Hours and access

The lounge will be open from 6am to 6pm. 

Centurion lounge access is a benefit for Platinum and Centurion America Express Card Members. You can find a lounge at the Global Lounge Collection website or by using the American Express App. You can also check into select Centurion Lounges through the mobile check-in tool within the American Express App.

As well as American Express Centurion Lounges you can also access Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, Delta Sky Club for Card Members flying on Delta, Priority Pass Select Lounges upon enrollment, Airspace Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, select Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, and Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges– with lounges across 140 countries and counting.

The lounge

The lounge entrance is fairly typical for a Centurion lounge and you then sign in at the desk before being escorted to a seat due to trying to maintain social distancing. You are still free to move around when in the lounge.

 The living wall behind the desk represents Hyde Park. 

As you walk down the corridor there is an impressive display of art along the wall, which you can scan the QR codes from to learn more.

This was my favourite painting.

First is a work area with a communal desk which had pop-up power points in the desk. Much of the design and most of the lights in the lounge are by British designer Tom Dixon OBE. 

I liked the way the lounge is divided into different areas and functions. It feels like a very substantial lounge and almost every traveller’s need has been thought of.

The individual booths in this area are perfect for work in peace and quiet and they even have wireless charging through the wooden desk.

If you want even more privacy there are two rooms with doors that are ideal for phone calls.

There are several walls that house a TV surrounded by British books and various objects in a quirky wall.

Next you walk through to the bar and restaurant area.

To the left of this is a small area for afternoon tea with a print of a landscape from above which reminds me of Amex with its colour scheme.

 This is followed by another area with comfy chairs and a Thames print.

Just past here is a small slightly darker room ideal for just relaxing with a drink. I love the London skyline effect.

Finally you walk through to a large lounge area with some smaller booths as well.

The charging points disguised as bolsters were very clever. You will certainly never have to go hunting for a power point in this lounge!

The booths also have power and look very cosy.

Finally at the end of the lounge are the toilets and showers. There is a so-called Wellness room but really it’s more of a changing facility for adults or babies, or those just needing a bit more room and privacy.

The showers looked great with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and body lotion all provided by London brand Soapsmith. Though I was slightly suspicious of the 1970s looking hairdryer!

The Ladies toilets were also spacious and had the same hand wash and body lotion which smelt divine. It was one of those fragrances that really lingered and had a lovely fresh citrus scent to it with Bergamot, Sandalwood, Rosemary, and Geranium. Perfect for a long day of travelling!

Food and drink

There is a large bar area (most important!) that I found very attractive. Although there is no champagne, there’s a good selection of wine including sparkling wine.

There’s a great selection of cocktails designed by Jim Meehan. 

This includes some non-alcoholic cocktails such as the Hare of the Fog which I tried. It was a bit like a non-alcoholic negroni but I found it a little bitter personally. Just give me the alcoholic version!

Here is the menu I tried which was a combination of different times of day:

The food is laid out attractively by the side of the bar and it is help yourself. Masks should be worn when going up to the buffet. You would not get all these dishes laid out together, this was just for the long opening. 

I sampled quite a few dishes:

I started with Shakshuka. The dish was not much of a looker but it was great – a real deep richness to the sauce with the smoky peppers and concentrated tomato flavours. Definitely worth a visit for that dish alone!

Then I tried a lighter fennel salad which had lots of interest with the crunch of the nuts and salty tang of the olives with a little heat with a harissa dressing. Ideal if you want something fresh.

The surprise of the day came with the Sabich sandwich. It looked like a burger but was actually aubergine and bloody delicious! I could eat those all day long and much fresher than a burger – I loved the tangy pickles and melting aubergine slices with tahini.

Then I had a quick nibble of the dips with some Kubulah bread. The bread was soft and fluffy inside, perfect for dipping in the flavour-packed spicy muhammara (spicy dip made of walnuts, red bell peppers, pomegranate molasses, and breadcrumbs) and fresh coriander dips. It’s good to see a selection of small dishes if you just want something to nibble on rather than a proper meal. 

Finally, I tried a yogurt parfait that was finished with carob molasses which I had never heard of. I liked that it added a little extra sweetness and a hint of chocolate but without being overly sweet.

In the afternoon they have a beautiful tea trolley with Tom Dixon-designed accessories such as the gold sugar bowl. 

Of course, there are scones available as well as cakes.

As well as the tea trolley and bar there are several self-service areas with coffee machines, still, and sparkling water.

Conclusion

I have to say I absolutely loved the new Centurion lounge. The lounge is perfect for working with plenty of private areas if you want them. Plus the food was restaurant quality and it was nice to have something a bit different. It has been long-awaited and I am almost tempted to book a T5 flight to enjoy it properly with a few of the cocktails (just for my readers to get the full picture of course…).

The Centurion Lounge at LHR will also be the first Centurion Lounge to partially utilize renewable energy through newly installed solar panels. The environmentally conscious design is in line with American Express’s 2025 environmental goals to reduce energy use across its managed facilities and its recent announcement to commit to net-zero emissions globally by 2035.

Like our American Express New Centurion Lounge review? You can read more Airline Lounge reviews here. 

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British Airways Concorde Room Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 review 

After being shut since the beginning of the pandemic, BA’s Concorde Room finally reopened at the start of September. The lounge is for BA’s Gold Guest List members (you no longer need a Concorde Card) and those travelling in First class. 

Opening Hours

The lounge is currently opening 0500-1500. After 1500 you move through to the old Concorde Terrace in the Galleries First Lounge – you can do this by walking the passage between the two terraces. BA is looking at extending the hours and I would expect this to happen when the US reopens in November.

The lounge

The lounge has had a bit of a spruce up with the removal of the lounger-type chairs from the terrace as well as some of the sofas in the lounge. The bar has also been changed but I wasn’t really a fan of the new bar stool material or the industrial look bar. I did like the bell and the display of the Concorde memorabilia.  There’s even a Concorde nose on the terrace.

Overall the decor has a more lively peacock blue and tan theme compared to the more neutral previous theme. It feels more up-to-date than before and I think more elegant as well.

The bar also displays the Gordons Tree Station bell. This was used in British Airways Sudan Gordons Tree terminal and was rung this for every flying boat arrival and departure.  It also rang this at the moment BEA and BOAC were united to form British Airways.

The cabanas are no longer in use but there is the new “Forty Winks” nap lounge in what used to be the boardroom. This brings up one of the issues now with the CCR. There is nowhere really suitable for working and power points are few and far between. Other than the restaurant area, there are only really high communal tables that you could work at without power or you would have to go into the First Lounge to work and fight for one of the small clusters of workspaces near the terrace.

The spa is also permanently shut. The bathrooms in the CCR always had something of an air of an NHS bathroom but I did notice that the floor seemed to have changed colour to a grey rather than blue. But sadly it still looked much the same apart from that. Toiletries smell great and are by Elemis. 

It was great to see all the familiar faces back in the lounge, especially barman Charlie who makes fantastic, boozy cocktails and happily chats to his customers at the bar. 

Food and drink

The dining room is pretty much unchanged with its row of tan high sided booths for privacy. 

Drinks

BA has introduced a new range of cocktails developed exclusively by the world-renowned Mr. Lyan who ran Dandelyan at the Mondrian Sea containers. This was considered one of the best bars in the world. 

I was with a few friends so we tried quite a few drinks and cocktails over the course of the afternoon before meeting some of BA management in their new sessions to talk to high-status customers. 

The new alcoholic signature cocktail is called the Barton and contains Tanqueray gin, Elderflower cordial, Dandelion & Burdock bitters, soda, rosemary. I found this well balanced although I did need to give a bit of a stir as the cordial tends to sink to the bottom if you don’t. I love elderflower which was prominent but the floral tones were offset by the refreshing rosemary and bitters. If you like a G&T with rosemary this will be right up your street. They were both presented well too. You can see the full list of cocktails here. 

My friend had the Rum Old Fashioned with Zacapa Rum, demerara, aromatic, and Peychaud bitters which he really enjoyed.

The main champagne is still the gorgeous Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle.The Hattingley Valley is also well worth a try for its more refreshing, lighter taste. I also tried the red Bordeaux Sant Emilion which was enjoyable but a little lacking in depth.

I thought it was a well-balanced wine list with plenty of choices. 

Food

The menus when I visited in mid-September were:

Breakfast

Rest of the day menu

I felt a little underwhelmed by the menu but on discussing this with the Heathrow lounge manager, he told me that he also felt that the “comfort food” element had too many dishes and that they were planning to up the other choices for the next iteration of the menu. 

We started with the smoked salmon which was great with the citrus drizzle to cut through the fatty salmon and beautifully presented:

I had one of my favourite lounge dishes of recent months, the Barbacoa beef tortilla- it’s very messy to eat but delicious. This could have been better presented like it was when I had it on the terrace. It’s down as a main course but it’s pretty small. 

Finally, we tried the ham terrine which was also good, particularly the pear chutney.

For mains we all went for burgers. One was a meat one which was enjoyable and the other two were the vegan ones. I have had plenty of veggie burgers before but I did not really enjoy this. Mine was overcooked and it had a strange flavour to it. As I’m not vegan, I would go with the normal burger next time.

I declined dessert as I still had a long time until my flight, but my friend had the cheese plate that looked delicious.

My other friend had the chocolate caramel slice which he loved although it’s quite a small portion, probably because it is very rich. 

Later on for dinner, I tried the soup which was actually delicious being mainly rich tomato and pepper flavours with some lovely crusty bread to dunk.

I also tried the Coney Island hot dog minus the beef chilli and it was tasty enough.

Conclusion

The drinks selection was great and it was fantastic to try the new cocktails created by arguably one of the best mixologists in the world. The staff was great and so pleased to be back in the CCR. 

The food menu needs some sorting out as it is not premium enough for the first lounge. It needs to be a balance of simple well-done food for those that visit regularly and more elaborate dishes for those who are enjoying a leisure trip and want to make the most of it. It sounds like this should soon be sorted. 

You can find the latest BA lounge information here.

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