Rose Dykins reports on new and improved lounges in the terminals.
Qatar Airways T4
Heathrow’s newest lounge opened in January beside Gate 1C, and is Qatar Airways’ first premium lounge outside Doha. The 750 sqm facility seats 90 passengers and is a tranquil space with luxurious furnishings. The main area has soft armchairs, magazines, a fridge with soft drinks, a family area with a television, private showers with heated floors and L’Occitane products. The dazzling Martini bar also features an all-day deli counter surrounded by pristine white tables, out of which sprout potted olive trees. The 22-seat Global Brasserie serves Arabic dishes (both à la carte and buffet style) and there is a business centre with three PCs and a printer. Wifi is free.
Emirates T3
As the Dubai carrier deploys more A380s on its Heathrow route – Emirates intends to have an all-A380 operation at Heathrow eventually – it has had to expand its lounge accordingly. Located next to Gate 7, the lounge’s refurbishment was completed at the end of last year, adding 80 seats to bring the capacity to 260 passengers. It has been expanded from 857 sqm to 1,025 sqm and furnished with new beige leather armchairs. The business centre has been removed, and in its place the restaurant has doubled in size. A smaller business centre with six desks has been built, and what was formerly a luggage room has been converted into a prayer room. Larger washrooms and a bigger bar area are due to be finished next month.
No 1 Traveller T3
Opened last August, No 1 Traveller is located near Gates 13-22. It has a funky yet homely vibe. Passengers of any airline can pay £35 for three hours’ use (£30 when booked online in advance) and enjoy free wifi, hot and cold food from the buffet or à la carte menu, and drinks. Dark wood paired with blue and purple tones, and areas such as the Snug relaxation room, a cinema and a games room make the lounge a fun, comfortable space.
There is a quiet business area with Skype phones and Apple Macs, a spa offering 15-minute treatments from £15 and showers (£10 for those not visiting the rest of the lounge). The Garden is a calm space with hanging chairs and a living wall, and the cosy Library can be booked for meetings. In October, the lounge gained bedrooms for transit passengers – there are eight single rooms (£20 per hour) and four twins (£30 per hour). They are only for use between 4.30am and 10.30pm but may eventually be available 24 hours. They come with free wifi, a minibar, a flatscreen TV and room service.
Heathrow by Invitation
Previously only for heads of state and diplomats, Heathrow now offers use of its 24 private suites to premium class passengers with its Heathrow by Invitation package. It has its own terminal entrance and a chauffeur service to the airport and from the suite to the plane. Passengers can hold meetings with both flyers and non-flyers in the suites, which are equipped with sofas, light refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits and alcohol – enhanced catering can be booked 24 hours beforehand), wifi, a TV, an iPad and a bathroom. The suites have their own security and passport control and guests arriving from abroad can have staff from the latter visit them. Prices start from £1,800 (for groups of six people) and the service accepts passengers travelling to and from all terminals.
Air India T4
Air India is to open a lounge close to Qatar Airways’ facility. Work will begin this month and it is estimated that it will open in November. Visit businesstraveller.com for updates.
For a full list of lounges, see our online guide at businesstraveller.com/heathrow
