If you need a quiet place to do some work or you want to grab a bite to eat before your flight, airport lounges are ideal. Here’s a selection of new, refurbished and well-established facilities at Terminals 1, 3, 4 and 5

For many business travellers, the lounge you use will depend on the airline you are flying with or which alliance your carrier belongs to. It will also depend on your frequent flyer membership scheme status and what class of travel you are in.

This might sound obvious, but finding out which venues are available and what facilities they have can be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to all Heathrow’s departure and arrival lounges – including those run by the airport, which are available to anyone who wishes to pay – is available at businesstraveller.com/heathrow, but here is a selection to start you on your way.

TERMINAL 1

DEPARTURES

AER LINGUS

The Aer Lingus Gold Circle lounge is located on Pier 4a, near Gate 84 – convenient for passengers as its flights depart from the same pier (Gates 77-84). The lounge will be refurbished by the end of the year, with several changes made. For example, currently, wifi is paid for through T-Mobile but will be offered for free by 2011. The venue offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a range of snacks including fresh fruit, yoghurt, crisps, biscuits, nuts, cheese and crackers.

Access is free to Aer Lingus Gold Circle members, passengers connecting at Dublin to Aer Lingus transatlantic business class flights, Bank of Ireland Gold Visa Business cardholders, and those who purchase flexi-fare tickets. You pay £18 to enter, either at the airport or in advance online. Open 5.30am-10pm. aerlingus.com

BMI

The Great British lounge (previously known as No 1 Heathrow) is available for international departures – details can be found in our online guide. The recently refurbished London Room is for domestic UK and Ireland passengers and is located on the ground floor by Gate 6. The design is similar to the Great British lounge, with black flock wallpaper and images of London’s Borough Market and Camden Lock.

The business area has been improved with six PCs and free wifi throughout, and food includes a continental breakfast until 11am, daytime snacks, cakes from 4pm, coffee to-go and retro British sweets. Washrooms have also been revitalised. The London Room is available to gold and silver Diamond Club members, and those travelling on Bmi flexible economy and economy extra tickets. flybmi.com

T1 departures also has El Al, Star Alliance and Servisair lounges. Details can be found in our free guide at businesstraveller.com/heathrow

ARRIVALS

Arrivals lounge terminal 1

On the second floor of T1 (use the right-hand lift opposite you as you come out of baggage reclaim) is a private lounge used by four Star Alliance carriers – United, US Airways, Bmi and South African Airways. It offers free wifi, hot and cold breakfast, 12 showers, and seating for more than 100 people. It’s open 5am-2pm. Passengers on other Star Alliance flights cannot gain access, regardless of Star Alliance status.  Tel +44 (0)20 8745 1725

TERMINAL 3

DEPARTURES

Cathay Pacific

The airline’s new 923 sqm first and business class lounges opened in July, on the central concourse of the departures area. Facilities include Cathay’s signature Noodle bar, a popular feature at its lounges in Hong Kong, as well as a new buffet area offering Western and Asian food and drinks. Other amenities include free wifi, computers, local and international newspapers, and five showers in each venue.

Access is for first and business class passengers travelling on Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Oneworld carriers, silver and Marco Polo Club members travelling on Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, Cargo Clan Elite members travelling on Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members travelling on Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Oneworld carriers. The lounges are open daily from 5.30am to 10pm. cathaypacific.com

Oneworld/BA lounge

BA and Oneworld opened their joint 300-seat venue earlier this year, but more recently it unveiled the BA Elemis Travel spa and a 250-seat First lounge. The spa, with its three treatment rooms, offers free 15-minute sessions for first and business class passengers (and some Qantas passengers). The First lounge, open 6am to 8pm (6.30pm Saturday), is split into zones for work, entertainment, relaxation and eating, and there’s a wine station with a circular chandelier, wooden floors, and a full-service dining room in the evenings. oneworld.com, ba.com

American Airlines

Directly below the Virgin Clubhouse in T3 are the American Airlines first and business class lounges, which were refurbished and extended in May. The Admirals Club lounge (business class) is open 6am-9pm and seats 230 people. There’s a central bar where people can eat and drink, free wifi, four PCs in a casual setting and six more in the business centre, along with a fax and photocopier. There is also a curtained-off TV section, a quiet zone, a kids’ room with two PCs, and seven showers with Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. The Flagship lounge (first class) is open 6am to 2pm and has 134 seats, free wifi, a business centre and shared access to the showers. Flights are called in both facilities. aa.com

Singapore Airlines

The Silverkris business and first class lounges are located close to the A380 gate – about a two-minute walk. There’s free wifi, and both offer computers, alcoholic and soft drinks, and hot and cold food including snacks such as Chinese porridge and noodles. The first class lounge has a full à la carte menu and bar. Access is for first class and business class passengers, and Solitaire PPS members. Open 7.15am to 10pm. singaporeair.com

SAS

The SAS lounge is a 775 sqm split-level facility with light wood floors and furniture, long bars for working and eating, high stools, comfy armchairs, coffee tables, free wifi, a work zone with eight Mac computers, and a business centre with two telephones, two Playstations, a printer and eight workbenches, each with two power sockets. There are also two refreshment bars offering spirits, draught beer, juice, salads, snacks, hot drinks, soup, fresh cheeses and Cup Noodles. Open Mon-Fri 5.30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 6am-10pm. flysas.com

T3 departures also has Virgin Atlantic, Star Alliance, Emirates, Air India and Servisair lounges. Details are in our online guide.

ARRIVALS

Air Canada

The Canadian carrier’s Maple Leaf arrivals lounge is located next to the shuttle pick-up in the arrivals hall. It’s open from 6am to 1.30pm. There are showers, a business centre with free local calls and faxes, and continental breakfast. Flyers can also have their clothes pressed and shoes shined. Access is strictly for premium Air Canada passengers and Maple Leaf Club cardholders. Star Alliance gold cardholders flying with other Star carriers do not have access. aircanada.com

American Airlines

Located on the second floor of T3, immediately after customs, the AA lounge is open 6am to 2pm for American Airlines and British Airways first and business class passengers, although economy flyers with both carriers can pay US$106 to enter. There are 29 showers, a pressing service, a breakfast bar with hot and cold selections, and drinks including cappuccino, espresso and juice. A business centre has six workstations with free wifi. aa.com

Virgin Atlantic

A few minutes’ walk from customs is Virgin’s Revivals lounge (open 5am to 1.30pm), where there are showers, a Cowshed spa for a massage or wet shave, a clothes pressing service and a full breakfast cooked to order, as well as free wifi. Upper Class passengers also have a free chauffeur service between home and airport. virgin-atlantic.com

TERMINAL 4

DEPARTURES

4Deck Lounge

This used to be the Holideck lounge but was renamed and refurbished earlier this year. There are four “decks”, the busiest of which is the Main deck, which has free drinks and snacks and multiple seating areas. The Enterprise deck has free wifi and a bar, while the Upper deck features a sports bar and quiet zone. The Flight deck is on the roof and has views of the runway. Located next to Gates 15/16, the lounge is open daily 5.30am-10pm. Entry is £20 for three hours or £40 for six. heathrowairport.com

Etihad Airways

Etihad’s lounge for business and first class passengers opened last September and looks like its T3 facility in Abu Dhabi. The décor is simple but classy with the separate zones creating an exclusive feel, and furniture upholstered in leather and silk. There is a an à la carte restaurant opposite a staffed bar, and plenty of different places to relax.

Healthy light snacks are on offer including pitta bread with olives, mozzarella and tomato salad, roasted artichoke and sun-blushed tomatoes, and smoked salmon and free-range egg sandwiches. There’s also a Six Senses spa offering free 15-minute treatments, 12 Mac computers, free wifi, several showers, a prayer room and a soundproof kids’ zone. Open 6am to 10pm daily. etihadairways.com

T4 departures also has Skyteam and Malaysian Airlines lounges. Details can be found in our online guide.

TERMINAL 5

DEPARTURES

British Airways

BA’s offering at its exclusive Terminal 5 hub comprises the Concorde Room, the Galleries First lounge and three Galleries Club lounges. More details on these and T5B can be found at businesstraveller.com/heathrow

ARRIVALS

First, Club World and gold Executive Club members travelling on long-haul flights can use the Galleries Arrivals lounge at T5. There’s an Elemis spa with free 15-minute treatments, suit pressing and free wifi. The lounge is open from 5am to 2pm. BA passengers arriving in Terminal 3 can also use the American Airlines lounge. ba.com