LHR Terminal 3 F Lounge

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Hi

I will be traveling QF First from London to Sydney.

I understand that QF customers can use the BA F Lounge. Has anyone been to that lounge before? Does it have good facilities?

I have had bad experiences with BA Lounges and was wondering if the lounge wasn't up to scratch whether I could use the Cathay F Lounge instead.

Thanks

 

[Mal]

It should be good as it is a cut-down version of the T5 First Lounge, which is pretty good.

I should be in the T3 lounge on Wed, so will post some comments about it when I'm there - unless someone else has beaten me to it !

 

[davidj-bell]

Hi

I will be traveling QF First from London to Sydney.

I understand that QF customers can use the BA F Lounge. Has anyone been to that lounge before? Does it have good facilities?

I have had bad experiences with BA Lounges and was wondering if the lounge wasn't up to scratch whether I could use the Cathay F Lounge instead.

Thanks

It's very nice, like a cut-down version of the T5 lounges.

It has the usual: alcohol, food, papers, computers.

 

[adrian]

Very nice. Quite large, although not on same scale as T5 obviously. Same wines etc. as T5, so good. Enjoy.
CX lounge is good, but comparatively tiny. Nice noodles, if you like that. No wifi, you have to plug in from memory. Sometimes they give you a funny look if you aren't on a CX flight. CX was the best choice before BA arrived, but now BA is better IMO

 

[Mal]

Sometimes they give you a funny look if you aren't on a CX flight.

Yeah, I was denied entry to CX lounge last time I tried because they didn't want me in there when flying BA.

 

[anat0l]

It's very nice, like a cut-down version of the T5 lounges.

It has the usual: alcohol, food, papers, computers.

Cut down version, eh?

Do they have a full food buffet and champagne bar like they do in T5?

Does it have windows that look out or is it a lounge in the middle of the terminal with no windows?

Are the showers any good?

 

[davidj-bell]

Cut down version, eh?

Do they have a full food buffet and champagne bar like they do in T5?

Does it have windows that look out or is it a lounge in the middle of the terminal with no windows?

Are the showers any good?

Has a champagne bar, but a smaller version than T5. They had some food there, but as I was there mid-morning, I didn't take much notice of it, so I can't comment specifically if it's the same as at T5, but I'll go out on a limb and say yes.

Has windows.

Don't know about showers.

 

[JetLagged]

The new Qantas/BA lounge in Terminal Three is supposedly designed by the same person who did the marvellous job on the Terminal 5 BA lounges - unfortunately I feel that he was 'reigned back' in T3 so as to ensure the brillance of T5 was unmatched.

Given that, I've found the First T3 lounge large enough; the showers are good; the food is much simpler (no where like the fine dining available in T5 or 1st Sydney) - but heck, what is one there for - free drinks, free Wifi, free snacks, overlooking the outside, and comforty new!

 

[Lendav Orav]

Sounds good. Especially the windows bit. CX was a bit depressing and claustrophobic last time I was there, especially on the F side. And no champers if I remember rightly... AA F had champers though I think, believe it or not! Looking forward to checking out BA then in a few weeks.

 

[adrian]

Yeah, I was denied entry to CX lounge last time I tried because they didn't want me in there when flying BA.

Me too, but I was flying AA

 

[adrian]

The new Qantas/BA lounge in Terminal Three is supposedly designed by the same person who did the marvellous job on the Terminal 5 BA lounges - unfortunately I feel that he was 'reigned back' in T3 so as to ensure the brillance of T5 was unmatched.

Given that, I've found the First T3 lounge large enough; the showers are good; the food is much simpler (no where like the fine dining available in T5 or 1st Sydney) - but heck, what is one there for - free drinks, free Wifi, free snacks, overlooking the outside, and comforty new!

I think the food is essentially the same as T5. Menu looked identical. But agree that it is nothing like the food available in Sydney.

 

[Mal]

I think the food is essentially the same as T5. Menu looked identical. But agree that it is nothing like the food available in Sydney.

Yeah, both T5 F and T3 F are good, but the real F experience happens in T5 Concorde lounge (Which is restricted to F pax leaving T5/Passengers leaving T5 who have arrived in F on BA / BA Concorde lounge members / BA Gold +++ (or whatever that tier is called) who have earned way too many tier points beyond what is required for normal Gold and BA Premier Members/Qantas Chairman's Lounge members. )

Sydney definitely wins if you aren't in T5, and don't meet any of the criteria above.

 

[Mal]

It's very nice, like a cut-down version of the T5 lounges.

It has the usual: alcohol, food, papers, computers.

Indeed, it is very nice. A lot smaller than T5 F, but the essentials are the same. I don't think there is a self serve buffet like T5, but there are wait staff around and menus that you can order from.

Food is the same as T5, Alcohol is the same, Decent number of computers.

 

[arrow]

Thanks guys... looks like the BA T3 F Lounge is the go.

But on another point, what right does Cathay have to refuse F lounge entry for pax flying AA or BA F? Surely that is a Oneworld benefit?

 

[Lendav Orav]

Thanks guys... looks like the BA T3 F Lounge is the go.

But on another point, what right does Cathay have to refuse F lounge entry for pax flying AA or BA F? Surely that is a Oneworld benefit?

I've been in there when flying AA and AY whY (as QF plat). No problems getting in at all, probably the nicest LHR lounge staff I've had. I guess it could have been "capacity constraints"

 

[Mal]

I guess it could have been "capacity constraints"

That is the easiest card a lounge can pull out of the deck to deny entry. Lounge access is subject to capacity controls...

Oh, and the BA F lounge does have a small food serving area that I didnt see until after I had posted. Wasn't much there this morning (toast and other assorted scrolls, fruit, yoghurt etc). The real food needs to be requested.

 

[munitalP]

If flying F, don't you have access to T5 Concord? or is that ONLY if flying BA F. If it was not the case, it would well be worth the effort to get there from what I have heard or is that impossible?

Mr!
:?:

EDIT: Sorry MAL, I didn't see you post

 

[Lendav Orav]

That is the easiest card a lounge can pull out of the deck to deny entry. Lounge access is subject to capacity controls...

Oh, and the BA F lounge does have a small food serving area that I didnt see until after I had posted. Wasn't much there this morning (toast and other assorted scrolls, fruit, yoghurt etc). The real food needs to be requested.

this is good to know, thanks. Is it the same story, btw, at the QF F lounge at SIN? The food selection is pretty poor but then last time I saw them walking around offering different cooked dishes. Can you order there too?

 

[anat0l]

Oh, and the BA F lounge does have a small food serving area that I didnt see until after I had posted. Wasn't much there this morning (toast and other assorted scrolls, fruit, yoghurt etc). The real food needs to be requested.

Requested? As in like this:

[clears throat, apply English coughney accent, address a female lounge dragon] "Excuse me, m'lady. Would you be as so kind as to tell me whether it would be possible to partake in eggs of scramble, a potato cake and some sausages of the pork kind?"

Seriously - is there a small menu or placard showing what you can ask for?

 

[Mal]

Seriously - is there a small menu or placard showing what you can ask for?

Yeah there is. I have photos, but not sure if they will be clear enough. If they are and I have time later I'll post.

The breakfast menu is pretty much the same as what is in the "self serve buffet" at T5, plus there is also the other items that you can order in T5 (eg kippers).