Originally Posted by Stripe

Much like BA's onboard premium product (e.g. lie flat seats) their lounges used be competitive but then stagnated. Not only did others leapfrog them in terms of concept but BA let things get tired and worn. My first visit to the T5 Flounge was in 2011 and I was impressed. In recent years each visit has been more disappointing than the last due to the crowds (except for a May 2021 visit), the inefficient furniture layout (which exacerbates the crowded feeling), the shortage of electric outlets, the warm stale air, and the third world toilets. The food and drink is OK but most of it is nothing I would pay money for, and is a far cry from that offered at the top lounges mentioned above.

Closing one lounge at a time would be disruptive but not fatal, especially if they can rig a temporary space somewhere. It would be worth it if they really rebuilt it to meet its current needs. What they should not do is what AA did with its main lounge in CLT: shut it down for months, create long lines just to enter the one remaining lounge, and then reopen with little discernible change.