What will i get in the BA first class lounge at LHR?

[silverfoxcc]

Travelling first class from lhr to either IAD or SFO.

What 'extras' will i get whilst in there waiting for the flight
copious Free champagne/Spirits/ coffee, or just a quiet place away from the thronging masses until we are called?

[Gargamel]

Food, hot and cold, beer, wine and last time I was there Champagne and spirits yes.

[RichS]

You get all that if you're flying business (though you need to ask for the champs). I think first has an actual champagne bar. But I might have imagined that.

[Dr Jekyll]

If you're travelling 1st with BA you get to use the Concorde room. Not wildly better than the First class or even Club class lounges but plenty of drink and some food.

https://www.luxurytraveldiary.com/2015/05/review-o...

[anonymous-user]

If T5, you have the choice of Galleries First or the Concorde Room. Choose the latter. Much better wines and champagnes and food with waiter service.

You also get to use "the door". Use south security fast track* and as soon as you are through it you will see a man standing by a lecturn next to a door. Flash your F boarding pass and he will let you through straight into the CC room. Saves the tedious ten minute walk through the shopping arcade. And according to fokelore cost BA an incredible amount to have installed. No F boarding pass, no using the door.

It's a nice place. We were delayed one year and spent the time in there. I was absolutely hammered by the time we boarded.

ETA : just past the entrance there is a meeting room on the left overlooking the public area of the terminal. The chairs around the conference table are seats from Concorde. Nice touch.

• Unless the new access corridor direct from the F check in is open. I think it is due to open in the Spring.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 14th January 17:24

[sidicks]

Dr Jekyll said:

If you're travelling 1st with BA you get to use the Concorde room. Not wildly better than the First class or even Club class lounges but plenty of drink and some food.

https://www.luxurytraveldiary.com/2015/05/review-o...

As above, a nice champagne bar and very decent 'proper' food (served at your table, rather than self-service) - 3+courses if that is what you want.

Depending on the time and length of your flight, I often choose to have a full meal in the lounge, then when I get on the plane I can sleep straight away and get a decent nights' sleep. Otherwise, if you're flight is say 10pm or later, food isn't served until after 11pm and hence its more difficult to get to bed before midnight. Of course plenty of red wine and a couple of glasses of port help with the sleep either way!

[hantsxlg]

The quality of the food and drinks in the Concorde lounge is way above the business and 'First' lounge. ('First' lounge is actually just for freq. flyers as true 'First' passengers can use Concorde lounge... bit confusing).

Last time I was in Concorde lounge (5 years back unfortunately) I had a full meal, with a bottle of wine that would retail at £70+, and followed with about a quadruple measure of JW Blue Label whisky (which would have cost £50+ for a measure that large in a bar you could find serving Blue Label). The measures they serve when you order at the bar are automatically 'large'...

So I'd plan on getting to the lounge a hour or two before you flight if you are not in a rush and want to 'enjoy' the experience.

[W8PMC]

hantsxlg said:

The quality of the food and drinks in the Concorde lounge is way above the business and 'First' lounge. ('First' lounge is actually just for freq. flyers as true 'First' passengers can use Concorde lounge... bit confusing).

Last time I was in Concorde lounge (5 years back unfortunately) I had a full meal, with a bottle of wine that would retail at £70+, and followed with about a quadruple measure of JW Blue Label whisky (which would have cost £50+ for a measure that large in a bar you could find serving Blue Label). The measures they serve when you order at the bar are automatically 'large'...

So I'd plan on getting to the lounge a hour or two before you flight if you are not in a rush and want to 'enjoy' the experience.

That's our plan for a trip to Rio in April. Taking the 'earlier' shuttle to LHR from MAN to get maximum time in the Concorde lounge at T5.

When did the criteria change for the Concorde lounge as i 'used' to be a FF & was BA Gold for many years, however you could only get in the Concorde lounge if you were flying 1st Class & were BA Gold or above, simply flying 1st Class only used to get you into the First Class lounge.

[The Ors]

Greg66 said:

We were delayed one year and spent the time in there. I was absolutely hammered by the time we boarded.

Not surprised you were hammered if you spent a year in there! I would have probably given up after the first few days. Then again, plenty of free food and drink; maybe I would have stayed a year too.

[silverfoxcc]

hantsxlg said:

The quality of the food and drinks in the Concorde lounge is way above the business and 'First' lounge. ('First' lounge is actually just for freq. flyers as true 'First' passengers can use Concorde lounge... bit confusing).

Hants

I am using my Avios, am i therefore 'true' first ,whatever that is, and can grace the Concorde lounge ,or slum in in the first class one;-)

[arfur]

silverfoxcc said:

hantsxlg said:

The quality of the food and drinks in the Concorde lounge is way above the business and 'First' lounge. ('First' lounge is actually just for freq. flyers as true 'First' passengers can use Concorde lounge... bit confusing).

Hants

I am using my Avios, am i therefore 'true' first ,whatever that is, and can grace the Concorde lounge ,or slum in in the first class one;-)

Not true first ... no CC lounge for you . I did the same a couple years ago ... wouldn't let me in

[Dr Jekyll]

arfur said:

silverfoxcc said:

hantsxlg said:

The quality of the food and drinks in the Concorde lounge is way above the business and 'First' lounge. ('First' lounge is actually just for freq. flyers as true 'First' passengers can use Concorde lounge... bit confusing).

Hants

I am using my Avios, am i therefore 'true' first ,whatever that is, and can grace the Concorde lounge ,or slum in in the first class one;-)

Not true first ... no CC lounge for you . I did the same a couple years ago ... wouldn't let me in

I used Avios to travel club and I got into the club lounge. If you've upgraded to First then surely you're travelling First.

[JakeT]

I've travelled First a few times fortunately, and been allowed into the Concorde room in LHR. First is the best travel experience I've ever had. You'll love it.

[arfur]

Dr Jekyll said:

arfur said:

silverfoxcc said:

hantsxlg said:

The quality of the food and drinks in the Concorde lounge is way above the business and 'First' lounge. ('First' lounge is actually just for freq. flyers as true 'First' passengers can use Concorde lounge... bit confusing).

Hants

I am using my Avios, am i therefore 'true' first ,whatever that is, and can grace the Concorde lounge ,or slum in in the first class one;-)

Not true first ... no CC lounge for you . I did the same a couple years ago ... wouldn't let me in

I used Avios to travel club and I got into the club lounge. If you've upgraded to First then surely you're travelling First.

Not if you are using "points" ... pseudo-first

[Dr Jekyll]

arfur said:

Dr Jekyll said:

arfur said:

silverfoxcc said:

hantsxlg said:

The quality of the food and drinks in the Concorde lounge is way above the business and 'First' lounge. ('First' lounge is actually just for freq. flyers as true 'First' passengers can use Concorde lounge... bit confusing).

Hants

I am using my Avios, am i therefore 'true' first ,whatever that is, and can grace the Concorde lounge ,or slum in in the first class one;-)

Not true first ... no CC lounge for you . I did the same a couple years ago ... wouldn't let me in

I used Avios to travel club and I got into the club lounge. If you've upgraded to First then surely you're travelling First.

Not if you are using "points" ... pseudo-first

No. First class includes Concorde room irrespective of whether it was cash or cash + Avios.

[NickCQ]

Greg66 said:

No F boarding pass, no using the door.

Not entirely accurate - Gold Guest List frequent flyers get access.

[arfur]

Dr Jekyll said:

arfur said:

Dr Jekyll said:

arfur said:

silverfoxcc said:

hantsxlg said:

The quality of the food and drinks in the Concorde lounge is way above the business and 'First' lounge. ('First' lounge is actually just for freq. flyers as true 'First' passengers can use Concorde lounge... bit confusing).

Hants

I am using my Avios, am i therefore 'true' first ,whatever that is, and can grace the Concorde lounge ,or slum in in the first class one;-)

Not true first ... no CC lounge for you . I did the same a couple years ago ... wouldn't let me in

I used Avios to travel club and I got into the club lounge. If you've upgraded to First then surely you're travelling First.

Not if you are using "points" ... pseudo-first

No. First class includes Concorde room irrespective of whether it was cash or cash + Avios.

Fair enough ... as I said was couple years ago and was Air Miles at the time. Did try the lounge but was told no

[Dr Jekyll]

arfur said:

Fair enough ... as I said was couple years ago and was Air Miles at the time. Did try the lounge but was told no

Perhaps that was your mistake, I just showed my boarding pass and didn't ask.

[number2]

Yes, as long as you have a ticket for a seat in First it doesn't matter how you got it - Avios or otherwise - you can access the Concorde lounge.

The Concorde lounge is a lovely place to be, so get there nice and early, have a meal, and relax with a drink or two... or three...

[tim0409]

As far as I am aware, you have to be travelling in First and BA Gold (or equivalent).

If you are travelling First (and you aren't gold) you use the First Lounge.

I'm BA Gold and travelled First for the first time last year; the Concorde lounge was nice but the food wasn't that amazing (they might have being an off day though).