Advice needed on LHR arrival lounges

[HKGNZL]

Am traveling from PER to LHR. Will arrive at 0430 on a BA flight (J class) and need to chair a meeting in downtown at 0830. Would be great to have a shower etc., refresh myself etc before rolling up to work.

I understand there is an arrival lounge at T5. Is it worthwhile - queues? service? easy to find?

 

[mickey68]

Not positive, but don't all BA flights from Oz land at T3? I understand that you can use the AA arrivals lounge in T3, however.

 

[nlagalle]

Not positive, but don't all BA flights from Oz land at T3? I understand that you can use the AA arrivals lounge in T3, however.

Correct on both..

 

[TonyHancock]

Correct on both..

Might depend when the flight is. It is changing next year. My July 2013 BA flight via SIN is to T5.

 

[nlagalle]

Might depend when the flight is. It is changing next year. My July 2013 BA flight via SIN is to T5.

Good point.. I think they said it was from April?

 

[benlight]

Not positive, but don't all BA flights from Oz land at T3? I understand that you can use the AA arrivals lounge in T3, however.

Yes, both BA12 and BA16 from SIN-LHR arrive at Terminal 3 until sometime next year -- I also seem to recall April as being when these flights move to Terminal 5.

If arriving at Terminal 3, the OP's flight arrives well before the AA arrivals lounge opens -- both the BA and AA website state that it opens at 6:00AM. So it would appear the only option is to clear immigration/baggage claim/customs and hop on the Heathrow Express (free when transferring terminals) over to Terminal 5 and use BA's arrivals lounge which opens at 5:00AM.

BA's arrivals lounge at T5 is pretty good from my experience -- I'd recommend it even with the hassle of having to transfer terminals. I've never experienced queues for either getting in or using showers (they have 60 or so showers available!), or with overcrowding. They'll even press your garments for you while you shower! The lounge shouldn't be too hard to find since it appears on the signage in the landside area of Terminal 5; when you're in the main hall, just look for an orange-coloured lift and take it to the first floor.

 

[nlagalle]

Yes, both BA12 and BA16 from SIN-LHR arrive at Terminal 3 until sometime next year -- I also seem to recall sometime in April being the changeover date.

If arriving at Terminal 3, the OP's flight arrives well before the AA arrivals lounge opens -- both the BA and AA website state that it opens at 6:00AM. So it would appear the only option would be to clear immigration/baggage claim/customs and hop on the Heathrow Express (free when transferring terminals) over to Terminal 5 and use BA's arrivals lounge which opens at 5:00AM.

BA's arrivals lounge at T5 is pretty good from my experience -- I'd recommend it even with the hassle of having to transfer terminals. I've never experienced queues for either getting in or using showers (they have 60 or so showers available!), or with overcrowding. They'll even press your garments for you while you shower! The lounge shouldn't be too hard to find since it appears on the signage in the landside area of Terminal 5; when you'll in the main hall, just look for an orange-colored lift and take it to the first floor.

Excellent details benlight and welcome to AFF!

 

[benlight]

Excellent details benlight and welcome to AFF!

Thanks for the welcome nlagalle! I've been lurking on AFF for quite some time, so I'm well overdue for signing up and contributing something back!

 

[HKGNZL]

Actually transitting HKG (has to stopover 1 day for some work). BA026 definitely arrives T5 at 0450. Hopefully flight on time and can have a shower (shirt pressed a bonus!) and changed before rushing off to work. Many thanks for info everyone!

 

[mella2007]

I'll second the lounge in T5. Very helpful staff, food offering fairly good and showers excellent.