If you have a premium cabin BA flight on the horizon then one of the things you’ll be looking forward to is the British Airways lounge.
If you’re lucky enough to be flying first class, there’s even more to anticipate as the BA First Class Galleries lounge in Heathrow’s Terminal Five had a refurbishment this spring. Here’s the latest on what to expect if you get to visit before your next flight.
Where is it?
The BA First Class Galleries lounge is in the South concourse at Heathrow.
Entry is directly after the first class fast-track check-in or through the main South Lounges entrance downstairs.
Who is allowed in?
Passengers travelling First Class with British Airways, those with BA Club Gold status, plus one guest, or Oneworld Emerald members, plus one guest, are allowed in the First Class lounge.
When is it open?
The lounge is open from 5.00 to 22.00 daily
What’s new?
Self-service food in the BA First Class Galleries lounge was, in common with the airline’s other lounges, halted during the pandemic. The buffet is now back, with hot and cold options including various salads. You can also pour your drinks again.
The QR codes of the last couple of years remain, however, so with more time to relax, you may prefer to order from your table. Use the code to bring up the menu then you can choose from the likes of pies, fishcakes, curries and vegetarian and vegan options. The breakfast menu includes a popular full English.
If self-service champagne doesn’t hit the spot, you can order from a wider range of wines and spirits, or request a cocktail or mocktail from the drinks menu. Unusually, cocktails are also available self-service because the bar offers pre-mixed concoctions. First Class passengers can now also indulge in Rock Angel, Whispering Angel's bolder sibling, as part of the upgraded wine offerings. Soft drink options include flavoured waters. There is also a coffee machine.
And if you like to keep your indulgence on the healthy side, you may welcome the inclusion of calories on labels and menus.
If you need to work, you’ll be pleased to find the facilities for this have been expanded again following a pandemic reduction. There are a couple of dedicated areas with desks and charging points. One is close to the sleep pods so, understandably, quieter. This British Airways lounge also has a terrace.
A less welcome development is the loss of the lounge’s Elemis spa, with no current plans for a replacement. However, a 'quiet space' is being created where it stands, which will provide a sanctuary for travellers.
The extensive magazine and newspaper area has also been dropped and replaced with free access to hundreds of electronic titles on your mobile, tablet or laptop through the PressReader app.
You can check the availability of the lounge showers in BA’s app, and if you use the app to order from Fortnum & Masons or Burberry while you are in the lounge they will deliver your selections to your very seat.
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Is there an alternative lounge?
There are four British Airways Heathrow lounge options in departures at Terminal 5, located across Terminal 5A and Terminal 5B.
In addition to the Galleries First Lounge, First Class passengers at Terminal 5 can also use the Heathrow Lounge known as the Concorde Room. This has waiter service, with your food brought either to your seat or to a dedicated dining area, so best if you have plenty of time to relax. It also offers Barista-made coffee.
Besides those with a first-class ticket, this lounge is available to BA Club Gold Members who have reached 5,000 Tier Points (and from 3,000 Tier Points each year thereafter).
Though it’s a step-down, facilities-wise, the business class Galleries Club Lounge is also available to first-class passengers. It’s also open to BA Club Gold and Silver members plus one guest and to Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, plus one guest. The lounge is currently undergoing renovations to further enhance the passenger experience. The updates include plush new furniture and a reimagined layout designed to enhance both the comfort and aesthetic appeal of the lounge. Additionally, there's the introduction of the Whispering Angel Bar at the B gates, with wine selections curated by the airline's Master of Wine. These enhancements aim to elevate the ambience and provide a more luxurious, comfortable setting for travellers.
You can compare the various lounges available through Oneworld airline alliance members (including BA) here.
How to earn first-class lounge access without paying the full fare
There are a few ways you can bring First Class lounge access within a more affordable range.
Use your tier status: You advance your tier status when you take paid-for British Airways flights, but the tier points you accrue are set back to zero every year. To get to Gold (the highest) you must have flown at least four times and earned at least 1,500 tier points.
You can access the BA First Class Galleries lounge even without a first-class ticket if you have BA Club Gold status, however, you must also have reached 5,000 Tier Points (and maintain at least 3,000 Tier Points each year thereafter).
You are also admitted to the lounge if you have Emerald status (the Gold equivalent) with an Oneworld Alliance member airline.
You can’t, unfortunately, earn points towards your tier status on BA reward flights, though Virgin Atlantic’s own Flying Club scheme now lets you do this.
Upgrade with Avios: Another way to get into a coveted BA first-class lounge without paying the full fare is to pay in cash for a business class flight and then upgrade to first with Avios.
How to earn discounted business class lounge access
It may not be the heady heights of first, but there are more options to get into BA’s business lounges at a discount.
If you pay for a business class flight fully or partly in Avios then you’ll automatically have complimentary access to a business class lounge. You can also earn access through your tier status (as above).
There are also Avios-related financial products that can earn you upgrade vouchers.
You can also earn an annual upgrade voucher if you are a member of the £12 a month Barclays Avios Rewards scheme and hold either a Barclays Premier or Barclays Personal Wealth account.
Similarly, American Express lets you earn annual ‘Companion Vouchers’ through its British Airways American Express Credit Card and British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card. These effectively give you a two-for-one on flights (or half-price if you’re travelling solo), so they’re worth the most when cashed in on business class.
How to earn other kinds of lounge access
Generally seen as a step down from airlines’ own lounges, airport lounges are worth having nonetheless. Access to these can be bought, but vouchers are also offered as perks by several UK credit cards. See our article here.
It’s also worth noting that the paid-for Lounge Pass scheme can earn you Avios.
