Originally Posted by
2035
I'll take that challenge, as a BAEC GCH. I have flown from T1 several times since the change, to TLV and LYS, and quite happy with it. Some advantages compared to T5;
1. Shorter journey on Heathrow Express
2. Quicker security, and working/enforced Fasttrack - last time I had checked in luggage, passed security and in lounge just a minute or two after Heathrow Express had arrived in T5..
3. Very pleasant and attentive staff in lounge (ex-BMI I think, nicer than T5 IMO)
4. Better newspaper/magazine selection (replenished more frequently I think) than in T5
5. Better kosher food (OK, I know that is personal benefit)
6. Lounge is closer to gates commonly used (5, 76,78) than most gates in T5 - and even 20's pier is no further than A gates in T5 would be, less time than train to B/C
7. Better showers in lounge, with no 'gurgling'
8. Lounge never seems full up
9. Flights are called in the lounge as there are so few of them - so no waiting around the gate or wondering when to leave
I agree there are disadvantages - connections poor (unless you connect LYS-LHR-TLV as I do!), drinks not as good in lounge etc - but overall I find that the comparison is not completely one-sided....
1. But a much longer walk to security from train seat along a dingy tunnel.
2. The lounge certainly seems more of a walk from security than the time it takes for the HEX to get to T5. Probably not aided by those low-ceilinged corridors and uneven staircases.
3. I think the staff are no different from T5, so identical that I suspected they were rotating between terminals. And Compass/whoever are just as surly as T5.
4. True
5. Other food selection is far far worse than GF, where as GCHs we would ordinarily be.
6. Ha! Commonly used gates, I love it. I have once had gate 5 so far, the rest have been out on the 20s, with their invariably in use stupid glass partition and about 6 chairs to sit and wait, and 40-something pier, which is like Lawrence of Arabia to get over there.
7. Never used them so far, didn't even know there were any! Good to know!
8. This is true. And you can isolate yourself quite nicely when on the daybeds. This is something that GF sorely sorely lacks.
9. I have never ever heard this.
I will also add that while LUX is at T1, there is no incentive for me to go after the CCR card, which if I was going to get some benefit from it (generally flying F or CWLCY longhaul anyway) I would push for a bit more flying this year. At the moment I feel no motivation to, and I know a few other GGLs in LUX feel the same.