CCR Room 'Millionaires Door' re-opens...staff say here to stay
Jun 23, 2017, 3:49 pm
#46
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,921
I've not been through the new First Wing set up but it has struck me as odd that when F passengers use this they are deposited into a working class lounge not at all in accordance with their status. As they are flying First they probably think that the GF is their lounge and settle there to write excoriating SkyTrax reviews.
Glad the door is back. Need to try it soon!
Glad the door is back. Need to try it soon!
Jun 23, 2017, 4:28 pm
#48
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 1,735
Great. We always come through in transit from LBA or from long haul and so the new 1st wing entrance for those arriving external to LHR held no allure and closing the white door made the trek much longer.
Jun 23, 2017, 4:29 pm
#49
Community Director
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You may reflect that perhaps this doesn't put you in the best position to comment definitively, but there are plenty of example posts in the First Wing thread which comment on exactly how well signed the CCR is on entering the F lounge if you'd like further verification. Even as a mere working class commoner whose place is in the F lounge I can personally attest that it would be difficult not to find the route through.
Jun 23, 2017, 4:42 pm
#50
Join Date: Nov 2012
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I emailed Alex Cruz two weeks ago after a poor ground experience (posted on here) part of which was the closure of the door. I didn't complain just fed positive and negative feedback. I was telephoned and a good part of the conversation was regarding the impact of closing the door on transferring F passengers especially domestic who could see the door but had to treck around the airport. Let's take this as a positive that people are listening
Jun 23, 2017, 4:47 pm
#51
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL / GfL
Posts: 3,240
I'd expect some here would say that. What we have seen recently is a number of changes reversed: specifically the reintroduction of free seat selection on Basic (HBO) Fares, but yes the flowers and amuse bouche are there too. We are also about to see the beginning of the upgrades to the Club World proposition.
BA have clearly been listening, and have not been frightened doing an about-turn.
BA have clearly been listening, and have not been frightened doing an about-turn.
Pilot37
Jun 23, 2017, 4:50 pm
#52
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
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Posts: 2,409
a few regular employees at the CCR have mentioned that people do indeed stay at the Flounge, instead of making the 'journey' to the CCR.
As we pass thru the Flounge from F wing, we also stop and have a beverage whilst just sorting bags out after security.
So maybe others, who haven't been at T5, just think that it is their lounge. Without the door they may never have gone to the CCR.
I think GF is a great lounge, but needs to be bigger to cope with the amount of people over the last few years. I can also understand, why some people prefer that over CCR and may never venture to the CCR.
Personally speaking that's good for us!
As we pass thru the Flounge from F wing, we also stop and have a beverage whilst just sorting bags out after security.
So maybe others, who haven't been at T5, just think that it is their lounge. Without the door they may never have gone to the CCR.
I think GF is a great lounge, but needs to be bigger to cope with the amount of people over the last few years. I can also understand, why some people prefer that over CCR and may never venture to the CCR.
Personally speaking that's good for us!
Jun 23, 2017, 5:18 pm
#53
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Sorry for being late to the party, but for those who don't know what this door is about and the context of it in this discussion then would much appreciate if someone could enlighten
us.
us.
Jun 23, 2017, 6:19 pm
#54
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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This doorway connects the Concorde Room - the top BA lounge at LHR for First travellers and the top tier status passengers - to an area next to South Security. It was closed a few weeks back as part of the work that led to the opening of the First Wing, a specially branded and dedicated security route from landside to the First Lounge and CCR. However closing that door meant that for some CCR users they had to walk a little further than before in certain circumstances. Typically those connecting airside, domestic connections and some shorthaul service flights. We are talking under 5 minutes here.
The reason it is called the Millionaires' door has been confused over time, it's should be called the Millionaire door, since BA allegedly had to pay the airport owners a huge sum to account for the door to be put there, due to the loss of shopping income that the direct route caused. The door was closed as part of a quid pro quo for a similar agreement with the airport owner regarding the First Wing, the exact details of which will probably never reach public circulation.
Jun 23, 2017, 7:19 pm
#56
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: East Cheam
Programs: QF, BA, VA
Posts: 198
I have had a couple of interactions with staff prior to the door reopening and both relating to the rather less than premium transfer experience
Shortly after the new First Wing opened I was chatting to someone presented to me by staff in the CCR as the "lounge manager". I questioned whether the door would remain open and was told no. It was too expensive to have someone working at the door checking eligibility. On the subject of the transfer process he advised me it would be better to clear immigration and customs and return through the F Wing.
My second interaction was last week when I again expressed my disappointment at the transfer process and rued the loss of the door. Both members of staff claimed to have received multiple complaints about the door closure. An American gentleman entering at the same time also agreed that it was now better to head landside and clear security in the F Wing.
I am pleased the door is back if only for the ease of nipping out to Dixons and Boots on my frequent long layovers.
Shortly after the new First Wing opened I was chatting to someone presented to me by staff in the CCR as the "lounge manager". I questioned whether the door would remain open and was told no. It was too expensive to have someone working at the door checking eligibility. On the subject of the transfer process he advised me it would be better to clear immigration and customs and return through the F Wing.
My second interaction was last week when I again expressed my disappointment at the transfer process and rued the loss of the door. Both members of staff claimed to have received multiple complaints about the door closure. An American gentleman entering at the same time also agreed that it was now better to head landside and clear security in the F Wing.
I am pleased the door is back if only for the ease of nipping out to Dixons and Boots on my frequent long layovers.
Jun 23, 2017, 8:09 pm
#57
In Memoriam
Join Date: Oct 2014
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Typical. I made my final ever first flight into LHR, through south security and onto Manchester on Thursday.
Hated to walk from security to lounge after an overnight flight.
Hated to walk from security to lounge after an overnight flight.
Jun 23, 2017, 9:53 pm
#58
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Posts: 1,293
My experience with the first wing has been great...but it seems like I've been passing through connecting more this year, and those reminder signs in fast track connections about a new path to the Concorde Room left a bad taste with me.
I'm glad BA made a change, but credit is due to the junior guy who put the signs up in fast track connections, as I'm sure that helped raise the visibility of the original asinine decision. Irrespective of the last minute need of Londoners for last minute Boots pooping, which I am certain is massive, some connecting passengers prefer a more direct route to the CCR which limits the amount of unpleasantries we must wade through to get there. Good day, sir! But seriously, good listening BA.
Jun 24, 2017, 1:31 am
#59
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Jun 24, 2017, 2:07 am
#60
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Reopening of the direct access door is a definite positive, but it does not make recent negatives less negatives and I don't think it can (certainly not as yet) be read as a 'trend shifting' move. In any case, I would personally vote for keeping this thread about the door and how it simplifies our lives (I, for one, am extremely grateful that the door has been reopened) rather than transform it into a broader themed thread on listen/not listen improve/decline which I fear would evolve in only too predictable a way.
