Using first class lounge upon departure/arrival

[bellaoes]

Hi all...travelling first class with Qantas from Syd - Heathrow on 24th Dec (arr 6.50am Xmas Day) and needed some advice on whether the first lounge at Heathrow can be used to freshen up before heading into town (given the ungodly arrival hour), or if this is strictly a no-no.

I am a Silver QC member (almost at gold as Ive started travelling several times a week for work).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers
Kathy

 

[Mal]

You will have F lounge access at Sydney, Bangkok/Singapore/Hong Kong (whichever is your transit point) and also access to the BA Arrivals lounge at London. Note that it is beyond Customs/Immigration in London.

Coming back the same will apply, but there is no arrivals lounge in Sydney. You will also get Concorde Room access at T4 in London (I'm assuming you're leaving Terminal 4) by virtue of your F ticket.

See also
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/ba-arrivals-lounge-terminal-4-a-7488.html
https://rowprepin.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/rowprepin.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1357
https://rowprepin.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/rowprepin.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=40


Oh, and Welcome to AFF!

 

[bellaoes]

Great really appreciate the fast reply and your steering me in the right direction!!

Not concerned about Syd ret leg - coming home I will be keen to jump in the first available cab and get home.

Cheers
Kathy

 

[Dave Noble]

I would phone BA and check whether the Arrivals Lounge is open on Christmas day, since I would not be suprised if it is closed. If it is open , then it is a nice lounge to have a shower and a hot breakfast in before heading off

Also, just a warning in case you were planning to take public transport ( such as a bus, the Heathrow Express or the London Underground), that these will not be operating on the 25/12. From Heathroe, there will be a replacement coach service for the Heathrow Express operating to London and , for those arriving at T1-3, the Oxford Tube coach service will call at Heathrow Central for that day

Dave

 

[Mal]

I wouldn't expect the Arrivals lounge to be closed on Christmas day - just like I wouldn't expect the J or F or Concorde lounges to be closed.

However, I agree bellaoes should double check with British Airways for an answer.

Does the public transport system normally just about close over Christmas in London? Or is it just track work / maintenance that has it closed?

Any online references to these closures?

 

[simongr]

Does the public transport system normally just about close over Christmas in London? Or is it just track work / maintenance that has it closed?

Yeah the whole country pretty much closes. Thats why it always surprises me that they say how busy the US airports are on Christmas day and how busy the cinemas are. Nothing is open in the UK.

 

[Dave Noble]

I wouldn't expect the Arrivals lounge to be closed on Christmas day - just like I wouldn't expect the J or F or Concorde lounges to be closed.

However, I agree bellaoes should double check with British Airways for an answer.

Does the public transport system normally just about close over Christmas in London? Or is it just track work / maintenance that has it closed?

Any online references to these closures?

There are few flights at LHR on xmas day , so I would not be surprised if the arrivals lounge is closed, so I would definately check whether it will be open.

The transport system is normally closed on 25/12. On 24/12 services will finish earlier than normal days and there are v limited services on 26/12

For the Christmas details on Tubes, buses, Docklands Light Railway, Tramlink, Riverboat and National Rail services within the Greater London area, have a look at the festive season transport arrangements document http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/downloads/pdf/DL-Festive-Season-leaflet.pdf

Dave

 

[bellaoes]

Thanks for all the great advice. Much appreciated.

Yes unfortunately the heathrow express and tube are non operational on Xmas day, however was going to arrange transfers by chauffeured car in any case, so no real probs there...

I've been to London over this period before and very limited transport services and retail activity operate over Xmas/Boxing day (unfortunately - not even Harrods which re-opens on 28th). The london transport website has info re goings on during festive season:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/downloads/pdf/DL-Festive-Season-leaflet.pdf

Cheers Kathy