Best Heathrow Terminal 3 First Class Lounge QF ?

[rickylee]

Back to the original topic of the thread.

I tend to hop about a bit between the lounges if I have the time and if I am on a BA flight (as I can then check in hours earlier). If I am on a non-BA flight, it would depend on my particular needs as discussed below.

My experience, both with the First and Business lounges (I was OW Sapphire before Emerald) has found that:

- Wi-Fi: AA lounge has the fastest Wi-Fi so if I have to do work that requires a fast internet connection (such as a remote desktop connection to my office server), I would go there. The tables and work areas are not uncomfortable, power outlets are everywhere, but printing anything from their computers is quite a hassle.

- Food: While the selection at the BA lounge is wider, the quality is not that great and the mess left behind by overuse can make the food a little unappetising. I prefer noodles from the CX lounge.

- Quiet views: I enjoy the most the quiet yet luxurious corner of the CX First lounge with unrivalled views of the airport. Mind you, most days all I see is fog. Being born in HKG, the Vitasoy drinks in the fridge also gives me a trip down memory lane. In the Business lounge I would still prefer the CX lounge. There is also a quiet zone in the AA lounge, but I am not usually a fan because it tends to be much more crowded.

- Drinks: This is not a consideration for me when I am travelling alone (since I don't drink), but the BA lounges definitely have the best alcohol choices and they tend to be self-serve.

- Work: See above re internet. The BA lounge is too dark and their workstations either too high or too low to be comfortable to do work. I like the wide workstations in the CX lounge but they are in Business only. If I am on my own laptop, then I prefer to have plenty of power outlets, so AA or CX for me.

- Reading material: I usually stock up on newspapers in the BA lounge. If I feel like reading magazines that are not on my iPad (or if I am recharging my iPad), then I would go to the AA lounge.

 

[kermatu]

I recently had 4 hours in LHR so took the opportunity to try a couple of lounges. Was travelling First, and am Qantas Platinum. On check-in was told I could go to the BA Galleries First, or to the Emirates lounge. No other lounges were referenced, but I know better...

Cathay First
As rickylee notes, very nice views of airport as the sun was setting. Reasonably crowded but when one flight was called it nearly emptied and then filled again. Comfortable seats. Average drink selection. Showers and bathroom shared with business lounge so no benefit. Staff were really great. Proactive and helpful. Food good too - I had fresh noodles. Buffet was minimal and didn't look great.

Left after 40 minutes.

EK lounge
Just stopped in to look around. Very standard EK lounge (which is no bad thing). Better food selection. Drinks average. Didn't feel like a premium lounge. Left without stopping.

BA galleries first
Spacious and quiet. Several different 'zones' which I liked. Rather dark throughout. Not many flights so was relaxed once a flight to Tokyo departed.
Food ok. Reasonable mix at buffet. I chose to sit in dining room (almost deserted, perfect!) but food choices same as in the main lounge. I had mac&cheese (awesome) and a burger (also good). Not much else on the menu though. Decent views of airport from the dining room.
Staff very low key, but helpful when approached. Didn't clear used plates and glasses after people departed though.
Best of all was drinks selection. Terrific wines, and best selection of spirits I have seen. Surpassed even QF First lounges. Didn't partake in champagne but the bar looked impressive.

Thanks to these earlier posts I was able to enjoy my time in the lounges too.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I recently had 4 hours in LHR so took the opportunity to try a couple of lounges. Was travelling First, and am Qantas Platinum. On check-in was told I could go to the BA Galleries First, or to the Emirates lounge. No other lounges were referenced, but I know better...

Cathay First
As rickylee notes, very nice views of airport as the sun was setting. Reasonably crowded but when one flight was called it nearly emptied and then filled again. Comfortable seats. Average drink selection. Showers and bathroom shared with business lounge so no benefit. Staff were really great. Proactive and helpful. Food good too - I had fresh noodles. Buffet was minimal and didn't look great.

Left after 40 minutes.

EK lounge
Just stopped in to look around. Very standard EK lounge (which is no bad thing). Better food selection. Drinks average. Didn't feel like a premium lounge. Left without stopping.

BA galleries first
Spacious and quiet. Several different 'zones' which I liked. Rather dark throughout. Not many flights so was relaxed once a flight to Tokyo departed.
Food ok. Reasonable mix at buffet. I chose to sit in dining room (almost deserted, perfect!) but food choices same as in the main lounge. I had mac&cheese (awesome) and a burger (also good). Not much else on the menu though. Decent views of airport from the dining room.
Staff very low key, but helpful when approached. Didn't clear used plates and glasses after people departed though.
Best of all was drinks selection. Terrific wines, and best selection of spirits I have seen. Surpassed even QF First lounges. Didn't partake in champagne but the bar looked impressive.

Thanks to these earlier posts I was able to enjoy my time in the lounges too.

A great run down, thankyou

 

[travellinmumberry]

Great info, thanks for the reviews, less than 4 weeks til my parents fly and they are very excited-as am I!

 

[The Flying Brick]

Was in the T3 BA galleries 1st lounge on Thur 26th of March.
I found it fairly ordinary and nowhere in the same league as the QF 1st lounges in Melb and Syd.

All food and drinks self service (pre lunchtime) with several staff just standing around for over an hour at a time watching one day cricket on the TV (and getting in my line of sight of the screen from the champagne bar).

The Tattinger however, was excellent and regularly replaced

I also recommend the giant spicy corn kernels from the spirits bar - not quite sure of the flavour but kept going back for more.

The lounge really looks like it needs an update or at least a thorough clean and a coat of paint, and yes I know it is not that old.

I will try the Emirates lounge at T3 if time permits when I am transiting on the 14th of April.

This review might be a tad biased as I am writing it from the CX First Wing Lounge in HKG whist sampling their Vevue Cliquot.

It's a tough gig - but someone has to do it!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Was in the T3 BA galleries 1st lounge on Thur 26th of March.
I found it fairly ordinary and nowhere in the same league as the QF 1st lounges in Melb and Syd.

All food and drinks self service (pre lunchtime) with several staff just standing around for over an hour at a time watching one day cricket on the TV (and getting in my line of sight of the screen from the champagne bar).

The Tattinger however, was excellent and regularly replaced

I also recommend the giant spicy corn kernels from the spirits bar - not quite sure of the flavour but kept going back for more.

The lounge really looks like it needs an update or at least a thorough clean and a coat of paint, and yes I know it is not that old.

I will try the Emirates lounge at T3 if time permits when I am transiting on the 14th of April.

This review might be a tad biased as I am writing it from the CX First Wing Lounge in HKG whist sampling their Vevue Cliquot.

It's a tough gig - but someone has to do it!

Enjoy The Wing
Note that you do need to be travelling in F on QF to access the EK lounge at LHR if you are not on an EK flight.

 

[amaroo]

Note that you do need to be travelling in F on QF to access the EK lounge at LHR if you are not on an EK flight.

Nice bit of info. Will probably take a stickybeak next month. Our last visit to the BA lounge was a disappointment - the BS surrounding the very Y class restaurant is a real turnoff.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Nice bit of info. Will probably take a stickybeak next month. Our last visit to the BA lounge was a disappointment - the BS surrounding the very Y class restaurant is a real turnoff.

I will be in there tomorrow after ducking into BA first for a glass of Taittinger Prelude

 

[samh004]

From my experiences last year, we headed to the AA lounge, but it was closing/already closed the Flagship part as the AA flight had departed, so it wasn't all that special. The BA lounge was nice, Champagne flowing and a nice bar menu to order from, I don't believe I had access to the EK lounge, but I found the CX lounge to have the nicest staff, and best views. Also had a noodle bar and about the same level of drinks as BA.

If I visited again I'd do BA and CX.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Enjoy The Wing
Note that you do need to be travelling in F on QF to access the EK lounge at LHR if you are not on an EK flight.

Yes travelling in F and advised by the QF check in desk to visit the EK lounge if I felt like it.
They even drew directions for me on the back of my BP.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yes travelling in F and advised by the QF check in desk to visit the EK lounge if I felt like it.
They even drew directions for me on the back of my BP.

It's a pretty good lounge although no F section and handy for the gates QF usually departs from.

 

[The Flying Brick]

It's a pretty good lounge although no F section and handy for the gates QF usually departs from.

If I get time after transfer from T5 on the 14th of April I will pop into the EK lounge - even if only to check out the champagne selection

 

[Princess Fiona]

If I get time after transfer from T5 on the 14th of April I will pop into the EK lounge - even if only to check out the champagne selection

The selection is Veuve Clicquot. Goes down very well with a creme brûlée.
I managed a spell in the EK lounge on Monday as my 3 hour visit to T3 turned into 7+ hours prior to QF10.

 

[The Flying Brick]

The selection is Veuve Clicquot. Goes down very well with a creme brûlée.
I managed a spell in the EK lounge on Monday as my 3 hour visit to T3 turned into 7+ hours prior to QF10.

Will drop by the EK lounge tomorrow with Mrs Flying Brick to take down some notes on the champagne after a Tattinger or two at the BA Galleries First Lounge.

7+ hours could well be my undoing although I will more than likely have the opposite problem of just scraping over the MCT and relying on BA to get me into T5 on time for a transfer to T3 for QF10.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Rather sad to report that I was in no danger of spending too long in the Galleries 1st Lounge on the 14/04.

Arrived late from FRA (thanks BA!) and transferred from T5 to T3 including the security check in under 30 minutes from T5 airbridge to T3 Galleries, which must be close to a record.

Walked at double pace direct to the Lounge and the front desk said that QF 10 had yet to be called so we were able to stop there for a while at the seats right next to the Champagne bar.

I swear that before I even filled the first glass of Tattinger from the bottle a QF first host appeared from nowhere and said "Mr Flying Brick, it is great to see that you finally made it here, but now you must board you flight as it is due to depart!"

3 sips of Tattinger for me and 2 for Mrs Flying Brick from the glass as we we whisked out of the lounge all the way to Gate 1.

QF 10 ended up departing right on time at exactly 1330 for the only time in the last fortnight.

The bright side was that the champagne of the day on QF 10 was Vevue Cliquot La Grand Dame 2004, which made the flight to Dubai most agreeable

 

[The Flying Brick]

I shouldn't be restarting on an old thread but thought it was worthwhile updating here.

BA Galleries is now serving some very unappealing cheap champagne by the name of 'Champagne Castlenau Vintage 2004'

I've never heard of this brand before so looked it up online - it retails for $37 a bottle in Aus.

Needless to say, I think it tastes like Minchinbury (yuk).

One glass of that muck and I was out of there. The Galleries 1st Lounge is so drab, dated and depressing that the only reason to ever visit was for the Tattinger.

Now it's gone I won't be going back.

Shame on you cheapskates at BA.

The EK business lounge is much nicer than your so called 1st lounge and it serves real champagne (Veuve Cliquot) that doesn't taste like vinegar.
I've often thought that BA couldn't get any worse but once again they have proved me wrong.

 

[marki]

Rather sad but true observation and I will be there sortly. So will go to EK instead.

I shouldn't be restarting on an old thread but thought it was worthwhile updating here.

BA Galleries is now serving some very unappealing cheap champagne by the name of 'Champagne Castlenau Vintage 2004'

I've never heard of this brand before so looked it up online - it retails for $37 a bottle in Aus.

Needless to say, I think it tastes like Minchinbury (yuk).

One glass of that muck and I was out of there. The Galleries 1st Lounge is so drab, dated and depressing that the only reason to ever visit was for the Tattinger.

Now it's gone I won't be going back.

Shame on you cheapskates at BA.

The EK business lounge is much nicer than your so called 1st lounge and it serves real champagne (Veuve Cliquot) that doesn't taste like vinegar.
I've often thought that BA couldn't get any worse but once again they have proved me wrong.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I shouldn't be restarting on an old thread but thought it was worthwhile updating here.

BA Galleries is now serving some very unappealing cheap champagne by the name of 'Champagne Castlenau Vintage 2004'

I've never heard of this brand before so looked it up online - it retails for $37 a bottle in Aus.

Needless to say, I think it tastes like Minchinbury (yuk).

One glass of that muck and I was out of there. The Galleries 1st Lounge is so drab, dated and depressing that the only reason to ever visit was for the Tattinger.

Now it's gone I won't be going back.

Shame on you cheapskates at BA.

The EK business lounge is much nicer than your so called 1st lounge and it serves real champagne (Veuve Cliquot) that doesn't taste like vinegar.
I've often thought that BA couldn't get any worse but once again they have proved me wrong.

They usually have three choices on offer. Taittinger, Taittinger Rose and the cheaper plonk. Was there twice last month.
I think you were unlucky.

 

[pagingjoan]

They usually have three choices on offer. Taittinger, Taittinger Rose and the cheaper plonk. Was there twice last month.
I think you were unlucky.

Sadly, just this weekend, both T5 and T3 had the Castelnau as their primary offering in the Champagne stakes. There was also the occasional bottle of Taittinger Rose, but I had to ask for a fresh bottle in the T3 Lounge on Saturday, rather than the dregs that were on show.

The Castelnau has also replaced the Monopole Blue on BA flights in J. I never did like the Monopole but the new selection is no improvement, in my opinion.

On that note, much of the furniture in the T3 BA lounge continues to be in disgraceful condition, as it has been for ages. The Dining Room policy seems to have changed, though. No requirement for an F BP to be shown to gain access - at least in the morning. Is that provision time-specific, perhaps? Until the recent schedule changes, I have usually been there in the evening, when a BP or invitation has been required.

Mind you, the service was slapdash and surly, so not much gain there. I think we may be absconding to the EK Lounge next visit, which is not too far away.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The Dining Room policy seems to have changed, though. No requirement for an F BP to be shown to gain access - at least in the morning. Is that provision time-specific, perhaps? Until the recent schedule changes, I have usually been there in the evening, when a BP or invitation has been required.
.

It's time specific. The dining area is open to all during the day.