anyone been to BA arrivals lounge at T5?

[Myrna]

Has anyone been to the BA arrivals lounge at the new T5 at LHR? Next month hubby will fly from HKG to LHR with BA in J. Last year he flew with QF, and his plat status got him into the BA arrivals lounge in T4 where he had a shower and breakfast. He said it was great and refreshing after a long flight from Asia.

I have looked at BA website about these arrivals lounges, and the services seem to be the same as at T4. Any tip / hint from anyone as to which lounge in T5 is good - I think there are more than one.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MelUser]

Does Qantas Club membership get access to this arrivals lounge?

What about Gold FF?

thanks,

 

[DTM1]

gold ff and QC does not get access to arrivals lounge.

in fact, my understanding was that you needed to be travelling in J or F to have access and that QF plat would not be good enough if flying Y. But as I haven't flown into LHR in Y since being a QF WP, I'm not sure about that.

 

[Myrna]

Does Qantas Club membership get access to this arrivals lounge?

What about Gold FF?

thanks,

According to BA website, these arrivals lounges are for "It’s exclusively for those travelling in First and Club World or Gold Executive Club members travelling long haul. Galleries Arrivals has been designed to allow you to pause, unwind, collect your thoughts and freshen up."

I cannot find anywhere that mentioned Qantas Club or oneworld FF - but I know, last time hubby flew with QF in J and was able to access the BA arrival lounge in T4. He did ask if I was with him, could he bring me in as well, they said no, the arrivals lounge was only for J pax or platinum members (and not spouses).

In the flyertalk forum (BA section - FAQ sticky on T5) someone said: "Galleries Arrivals -
A landside lounge dedicated to arriving passengers flying FIRST, Club World. Gold Executive Club members arriving on a long haul flight in any class will also be welcome. Facilities shall comprise:

• The Buffet Breakfast Bar, where you can see the food as it’s being prepared in the kitchen
• The Breakfast Room, exclusively for FIRST passengers
• Elemis Travel Spa with treatments specifically designed to prepare you for the day ahead
• Hydrotherapy area with 94 shower rooms, of which there will be three types: full body jet, steam shower and deluxe massage. There will also be a suit pressing.
• Cabanas, with new Infinity Bathrooms where the water will continually roll through the bath and over the sides to keep it clean and fresh.
• Internet and news zones "

 

[opusman]

mrs opusman and i thoroughly enjoyed the arrivals lounge in T4 last year when flying QF J - we spent about 2 hours there showering and eating/relaxing before facing the trauma of getting into London

 

[moa999]

Think T4 access for QF J under the JSA which means BA must treat QF/ BA passengers the same.

Don't think any reciprocity across oneworld for Arrivals lounges more generally.

 

[dot]

I was there a few weeks ago - see my trip report...

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports/dots-second-done4-for-year-13134.html

I don't know about there being more than one arrivals lounge - I just followed the signs after customs. I recommend it .

 

[simongr]

• Cabanas, with new Infinity Bathrooms where the water will continually roll through the bath and over the sides to keep it clean and fresh.

How is this environmentally appropriate???

 

[Va Bene]

Maybe they are using the water from the roof as outlined on their website. At least it hasn't been through 5 sets of kidneys like most of London's household water.

At Terminal 5 we will be collecting 85% of the rainwater that hits the building and re-using it for non-potable uses, reducing demands on the mains system by 70%.

Not sure if this is the truth or spin as BA also say on their website:

There will be huge improvements in punctuality and baggage now that we’ve brought nearly all British Airways flights together in one terminal

 

[Myrna]

I was there a few weeks ago - see my trip report...

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/trip-reports/dots-second-done4-for-year-13134.html

I don't know about there being more than one arrivals lounge - I just followed the signs after customs. I recommend it .

Many thanks, Dot! Much appreciated it. GREAT report. Now I can show hubby so he knows what to expect.

You are right, I look at BA website for T5 again and there are a number of departures lounges, but only one arrivals lounge.

 

[serfty]

... Next month hubby will fly from HKG to LHR with BA in J. ...

I missed this earlier, it is the definitive key: "to LHR with BA in J".

COS on a BA flight provides the access; QF WP might, but whether it does or not is moot in this case.