[Sunshine]

Must admit, I was very disappointed with the BA Concorde Room (First Class Lounge) in T5. It’s just not well thought out from a traveller’s perspective.

Firstly, it’s quite small, though I expect it to be smaller than the business lounge, but it acutally feels cramped. The seating is too close to one another; so if the lounge has a decent number of people, you’re walking around/over them just to get past/to a seat.

The seats are not that comfortable and very few have access to a power supply (should you want to power up your laptop). However, for me, the most annoying thing is the inability to just grab something to eat – like a packet of crisps or a small snack. You have to order drinks from a bar (when I was last there, only one barman in sight and a queue building up) and then separately order any food/snacks you want.

There is a ‘full service restaurant’ there too, which I’ve not tried. But I like the option of having a full meal or ordering something special from a ‘bar menu’ – but 90% of my time, I just want to grab a few little snacks and nibble on them while I relax before my flight.

One this with the BA business lounge that I hate – they’ve replaced all their water bottles with large glass bottles, so my old trick of grabbing a few bottles of water to take on my flight can no longer be done 🙁

That aside, for the sheer volume of people that go through it, the BA business lounges in T5 are pretty good – nice selection of food and drinks, pretty decent seating and good selection of reading material

[gardkarlsen]

“Gentlemen ! I do fully agree that the First Class Terminal in FRA is really outstanding and inspiring !!…but don t forget this is FIRST CLASS “

Well, the original question was “Business Traveller will be featuring an article on the best airport lounges in the world in our next issue, and we’d like your help in compiling it.”….and the first class lounge is an airport lounge isn’t it? 😉

Regards
Gard

[OzTraveller]

This topic has been around since May last year, maybe its been fully discussed by now …

[flyingrepublic]

Very euro-centric here folks. QANTAS First will beat them all hands down – even without Porshce transfers. From curbside porters who whisk you to a sit down check-in, you are greeted by a rainforest wall and waterfall as the concierge escorts you to the escalators. Topshelf wine and bubbles, full service restaurant, spa with a range of treatments. You’re wowed by Mark Newson’s stunning designs from the cutlery to the soaring cathedral ceilings as you sink into your Poltrana Frau sofa with a full view of the runways and the glimmering city in the distance. And the staff are superb. Makes leaving Sydney that much harder.

[TominScotland]

Most of this thread has strayed into the ultra luxury end of the market. The experience that always makes me wonder at the mediocre offering of so many European Business Class lounges (especially short-haul) is the NZ Domestic Lounge at Auckland – airy, comfortable, good food and drink choices and sensible/ accessible technology – plus friendly service. All ahead of a 25 minute hop to Tauranga or somewhere similar!!

[austline]

Agree with flyingrepublic Qantas FIRST lounges in Sydney and Melbourne are the best premium airline lounges anywehere. Also QF’s domestic J lounge are pretty good too, NZ lounges not bad either. Agree most Euro and American J lounges pretty basic..

[OzTraveller]

Sorry flyingrepublic and austline, altho I’m proudly an Aussie just cant agree with you about the QF Fst class lounge at Sydney. Nothing makes it stand out above the stand alone building that is the Lufthansa FST class facility in Frankfurt. (In Sydney, a full view of the runways and the glimmering (your word) city in the distance…?) In Frankfurt, complete with its own Customs and Immigration clearance and own duty free shop.

The Porsche transfers from the building direct to the aircraft stairs is yet another feature that makes it stand out. Compare that to the chaos of Sydney airport. And the distances you have to walk to your departure gate.

Without a doubt, the LH First class terminal is unique in the world and LH deserve the world-wide accolades for showing the rest of the world how it should be done.

[PREMADHEESHLEKHI]

I WAS AT THE WINGS IN HK AND GOLDEN LOUNGE AT KLIA.ALSO FIRST CLASS LOUNGE FOR CX AT KLIA AND HANEDA’S AMERICAN AIRLINES
WELL JFK FIRST CLASS LOUNGE FOR BA
ALL IN 6 WEEKS
NO VEGETARIAN FOOD
KINDLY START LOOKING INTO IT FOR ALL LOUNGES AROUND THE WORLD
I AM COMPLAINING

[FlyingChinaman]

PREMADHEESHEKHI,

I don’t know about the other lounges on providing vegetarian food but last month I saw a passenger at the next table ORDERED a vegetarian fried noodles in the CX First Lounge and in fact it looked pretty decent while I was having smoked salmon!

The SQ First Lounge in Changi also has plenty of things a vegetarian can consume and there is also made-to-order service. Same in QF First Lounge in Sydney!

But I understand what you are saying as there are quite a few vegetarian travellers and the airlines should do a little more to offer choices for this group.

[MartynSinclair]

I do find there to be a lack of veggie choices in lounges. However, the staff can generally get some yoghurt/fruit/nuts/crudites.

On board now, I genreally order one of a variety of meat free dishes, esepcially in Europe and more often than not I have questions from staff and passengers alike as it not only looks preseantble, but smells great.

I would like the airlines and airport catering outlets to cater more for the veggie’s.

[Swissdiver]

It is imho difficult to amalgamate First and Business class lounges as they are built with different objectives. When it comes to First class lounges, the possibility to compare belongs mostly to First class travellers. Business class travellers like me only seldom have access to them (for instance AF First lounge @CDG or Concorde Lounge @LHR are restricted for First passengers beyond any FQTV considerations).

Of course top tier FQTV can often access First lounges abroad, but these usually are quite far away from their eponymous lounge at HQ…

[KeaneJohn]

I have to say my favourite lounges are

VS LHR Clubhouse
VS JFK Clubhouse
BA T5 Galleries Complex
BMI International Lounge LHR
Dubai Airports Authority Business Class Lounge T1 Gate 109.

All offer top class facilities, great seating with a good variety of food and drink. Pleasurable to wait for a flight in any of them.

Other lounges that have been pleasant to while away flight delays are the LX Lounge in PRG, LX lounge in MCT.

Worst lounge : LH in FRA by gate C13. Horrible seating, few refreshments and pay for internet.

[Binman62]

I like HKG especially since they did it up and dedicated it to First.

Sydney is spectacular of course but lots of wasted space I often think.

Concorde room in T5 is lovely

JFK is great also.

Have not had the pleasure of LH First Terminal nor of VS club house.

[FlyingChinaman]

Binman62:

Cathay is in the process of renovating all their lounges (The Wing and Pier but not the Cabin which is new). The Business lounges first and at the end of this year their First lounges. The staff told me that the Wing First lounge will be enlarged and I shall look forward to the upgrading.

The LH First Terminal lounge never failed to please this very jaded Asian traveller!

[alistairNicoll]

For me the Qatar louge in Doha.

I am sure there will be no votes for Manchester though!

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