AY lounge at LHR ; boarding psss says No.1 lounge
Sep 20, 2017, 9:33 am
#16
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,623
Now that you mention it... I actually had a similar conversation with the check-in agent at the Y counter. There were only two counters manned 2 hours before SDT, and since the Y counter had no line, that's where we went. The agent handed out the BPs and gave directions to the AF lounge. I said we were probably going to the CX lounge, to which he replied that I wouldn't be able to guest anyone in. I gladly replied that my traveling companion is AY Gold so it won't be a problem and left the agent looking quite baffled.
I'd assume the agents have little knowledge of lounge access rules. AY probably only trains them to direct people to the cheapest lounge with which they have made an agreement, and the agents won't visit the lounges as pax so why would they know...
I'd assume the agents have little knowledge of lounge access rules. AY probably only trains them to direct people to the cheapest lounge with which they have made an agreement, and the agents won't visit the lounges as pax so why would they know...
). There was a whole group of 8-odd Finnish speakers in there too.
Sep 20, 2017, 12:38 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2016
Location: BLL
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 405
I actually liked the VIP section service, freshly cooked food, and afternoon tea selection at the No. 1. lounge. But now that Yo Sushi is gone from T3 (...?!) I will need to get my noodle soup from the CX lounge.
*edit: haha, I actually got censored (above).
*edit: haha, I actually got censored (above).
Sep 26, 2017, 8:47 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat Lumo
Posts: 93
But my BP said CX lounge last Friday (Sept. 22nd), maybe AY has changed the lounge in LHR? Excellent service and food served in the CX first lounge. (flying Y)
Last edited by GeeTee77; Sep 26, 2017 at 8:59 am
Oct 4, 2017, 10:10 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: CX Green | UA Silver | Marriott Lifetime Platinum | Hyatt Globalist | Hilton Gold | AA EXP
Posts: 813
IME many check-in agents are "forcefully" directing pax to the contract lounges. I can't count the number of times I've been told "we use this lounge, do you know where it is?" and I reply "nah, I'm just going to go to CX first lounge". They usually looks baffled and say something like "No, Finnair uses <insert crappy contract lounge name here>".
Btw, does anyone know why AY choose to send its passengers to these other lounges when there are OW-airline lounges nearby/at the same terminal? I've seen this at SIN, BKK, HKG and ORD and from what people are saying above, sounds like the same thing at SFO. Is it really a cost issue?
Oct 5, 2017, 12:17 am
#23
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,189
Well, they need the contract lounges anyway for the statusless J pax. Perhaps those agreements are based on a certain volume, or they have one base cost and one per pax cost and that makes them wanting to keep volumes up.
Or it might even be an training issue - instructions and training focuses on the contract lounge as that is the fail safe option.
Or it might even be an training issue - instructions and training focuses on the contract lounge as that is the fail safe option.
Oct 5, 2017, 3:16 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Baltic Sea
Programs: AY, BT, DY and SK. Scandic, Radisson, Marriott and HHonors. ClubONE
Posts: 5,890
Well I know I'm in the minority here, but I have enjoyed the No1 lounge at Heathrow a lot, even more than the CX J lounge. So much in fact that I gave up on my plan of lounge hopping and stayed at the No1 lounge the whole time. But maybe I' more of the leisure traveller type.
I have also been to the No1 lounge at Gatwick which is not nearly as nice.
I have also been to the No1 lounge at Gatwick which is not nearly as nice.
Oct 6, 2017, 8:49 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: EWR
Programs: CX Green | UA Silver | Marriott Lifetime Platinum | Hyatt Globalist | Hilton Gold | AA EXP
Posts: 813
) as there's no skytrain between T1/2/3 and T4 - only shuttle bus.
Nov 10, 2017, 1:31 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Helsinki
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 143
Are any OWS or OWE travelling LHR to HEL this Sunday? I'm travelling with two Finns who have no status and will be in T3 from around 16:00-18:00, so if there are any kindly fellow travellers that could guest in my ++1 it would be so much appreciated!