Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Access to BA LHR lounge in T3?

Has anyone been to T3 recently and tried out the BA lounge? Interested to know whether CX members are allowed access and whether it's better than the CX lounge at LHR.

I know according to OW rules, CX members should be able to enter, but BA members weren't allowed access to CX's lounge during the T3 transition period.

I can't answer your question directly... but as an AA PLT member I have had no problems (other than a few strange looks and rule book checking/phone calls) accessing the BA, AA & JL lounges in LHR T3. The downside is that you don't get flight announcements.

can anyone tell me exactly where in T3 is the BA lounge ? How does it compare to CX Lounge ?

Well we are discussing it over at the BA Forum:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/952821-t3-galleries-share-your-experiences-3.html

CX dont want you to use the BA lounge its costs money they have to pay if you use it

The CX lounge has all necessities including nice shower rooms. No reason at all to linger in the other lounges, IMHO.

e: Also easier to handle CX travel related enquiries with "our own" staff.

I've been to all three oneworld lounges at LHR T3. In terms of size, AA > JL > CX. The CX lounge could probably seat 70 pax in total (20F, 50J). There are also 3 or 4 showers.

When BA started using T3, eligible pax were asked to use the AA, JL and Servisair lounges. Many of them tired their luck at the CX lounge but were turned away. While I have no doubt that CX would very happily take the extra revenue from BA pax using the lounge, it was practically impossible with the sheer number of F/J pax and MPO elites from four daily departures. In the good times, there are easily 20 to 30 GO/DMs onboard each flight.

BA will be transferring their T4 operations to T3 soon, so it will be interesting to see whether they will allow CX pax to use their Galleries lounges.

The CX lounge has all necessities including nice shower rooms. No reason at all to linger in the other lounges, IMHO.

e: Also easier to handle CX travel related enquiries with "our own" staff.
Sometimes, preference is dictated not by necessities but by the extras. I myself like lingering in lounges that don't feel claustrophobic and have views of the outside. I might pop into the CX Lounge for the Asian food, but I can see myself wanting to head out to the BA Lounge for the bacon butties and the natural light. It would also be closer to the departure gates. I've never had travel-related inquiries at LHR.

If I had equal access to both, I would prefer the lounge that was less crowded before my departure flight.

Sometimes, preference is dictated not by necessities but by the extras. I myself like lingering in lounges that don't feel claustrophobic and have views of the outside.

Ah, I gather you are not a member of the Pier fan club. ;)

I might pop into the CX Lounge for the Asian food, but I can see myself wanting to head out to the BA Lounge for the bacon butties and the natural light.

Same as above...Of course bacon butties are rather tempting.

It would also be closer to the departure gates. I've never had travel-related inquiries at LHR.

I do mostly transit at LHR, it's rarely my point of origin or destination. Have had several seating etc. related issues to take care of.

If I had equal access to both, I would prefer the lounge that was less crowded before my departure flight.

Which should be the CX one?

Ah, I gather you are not a member of the Pier fan club. ;)
I don't find the Pier claustrophobic. In fact, I preferred it to the Wing when my access was limited to the business side. :) But I do consider the CX LHR Lounge -- which is the lounge pertinent to this discussion -- claustrophobic. Weren't you supposed to be commenting on the options in LHR T3?
Which should be the CX one?
Not necessarily. Once I lose my BA Gold, I'll be Sapphire. The business side of the CX Lounge can get very crowded with MPC Silvers and Golds, CX business class pax and OW Sapphires. Reports say the BA Lounge is pretty large.

I don't find the Pier claustrophobic. In fact, I preferred it to the Wing when my access was limited to the business side. :) But I do consider the CX LHR Lounge -- which is the lounge pertinent to this discussion -- claustrophobic. Weren't you supposed to be commenting on the options in LHR T3?

Well, I do think the London CX lounges have clearly recognizable elements from the Pier. Claustrophobic - hmmm, not compared to an airplane. ;)

Not necessarily. Once I lose my BA Gold, I'll be Sapphire. The business side of the CX Lounge can get very crowded with MPC Silvers and Golds, CX business class pax and OW Sapphires. Reports say the BA Lounge is pretty large.

Maybe the OW Sapphires gather at the BA Galleries now? Which would leave us the good old CX lounge(s) to enjoy.