captain_starwood

That's a good idea. I wonder if it's cheaper if I buy it beforehand. Maybe I can ask in Calgary from the lounge.

ChrisA330

Access rules changed with the move to T2.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...unges/lhr.html

Jasper2009

I had the opportunity to visit T2 and thought I'd post a few impressions:

arrival experience:

- wait times at immigration using the priority channel were very long - much longer than I've ever spent at T3. I hope AC will pressure the airport authorities to improve the situation.

departure experience:

- AC check-in staff were very friendly, there was a rather long line at priority check-in (>15 people), but the SE check-in line was excellent (only 1 pax ahead of me)

- priority security was very efficient, no line - and the security agent even smiled once

- it took me exactly 8min to get from security to the MLL in T2B - the layout with sloooow walkways and getting on/off walkways every 50m isn't perfect, but overall the experience is much better than I expected

- there are no moving walkways going back from T2B to T2A, so I recommend taking care of any shopping/dining in T2A before going to the lounge

AC departure lounge:

- I liked the general design (similar to the FRA MLL), but unfortunately the lounge was rather crowded and I had a hard time finding a seat even though I wasn't travelling during peak hours and most airlines haven't even moved to T2 yet

- buffet selection wasn't particularly impressive, only a very limited number of drinks are available at the buffet

- most drinks need to be ordered from the servers that walk around the lounge. While I very much like the concept of having servers taking your drinks order, I had to wait for ~30min until a server came around - this aspect definitely needs to be improved

- internet connection was ridiculously slow - to the point it was absolutely useless (received an error message after the page tried to load for 30s)

Overall I'd say it's fine, but nothing to get excited about.

arrivals lounge:

Overall an excellent experience and probably the best arrivals lounge I've been to.^

- very friendly staff at reception
- shower rooms are adequate, though a little small and hot/humid
- very good breakfast buffet + made-to-order English breakfast incl. eggs, sausage, bacon, beans, mushrooms, toast etc.
- very friendly and fast service
- internet connection worked great

Currently there are ~10-12 tables with 4 seats each. IMO it would make more sense to have ~16+ tables with 2-3 seats each to accommodate all the pax, but that's just a minor issue.

AMRivlin

Just a quick followup to your review and comments. I arrived on AC848 at 8am. I was first in line at Priority Immigration. Other than the long maze to get to immigration, there was no wait.

Arrivals was decent, but I think the BA Concorde Arrivals has more space, bathtubs (if that is your thing) and a larger "menu" service.

The servers/attendants at the T2 UA Arrivals lounge were pleasant and accomodating.

I do wonder what will happen if 5 *A wide bodies dump 10 J/F pax each on the Arrivals lounge. It will be swamped.

uzi16

Hi,

Flying out to LHR on AC, and will be my first time into T2. Heard a few rumours and thought i'd ask on here:

1) Do they still hand out fast track cards in LHR upon arrival to J?

2) Arrival Lounge...is there an option?

Does T2 have a long walk to the express train? (Longer than T3 one)

Thanks

Wings100

Yes, they give out fast track
There is a very small United Airlines Arrivals Lounge
The walk is 12-15 minutes

TPJ

No self service Why to increase costs by hiring these servers... We know how to pour a drink

captain_starwood

Is the UA arrivals the same as the MLL arrivals?

fin 645

Yes. I believe it's a Star Lounge operated by UA.

When I used it a few weeks ago, it was almost deserted first thing in the morning. There had been no mention of it to J pax that I was aware of.

As an aside to the T1/T2 use, SAA currently checks in at T1 but uses the new T2B gates, in fact my SAA flight left from a gate with a sign on the ramp declaring "only AC equipment" to be parked. I then realized I had walked right past the new MLL but expect it had closed by the time SAA was leaving. Also BTW, SAA does not participate in Fastrack.

AMRivlin

Yes, they are the same room. There is light United Branding. (It is immediately to the Left of the Customs Exit. (there is signage as well guiding you there)

4 showers, and a breakfast buffet. 5-6 staff members.

Simon Schus

Hi all,

I'm taking a few flights from LHR to BOS via YHZ with AC in the next few months. Does anybody know if AC tends to depart from T2A or T2B in LHR? Or is it inconsistent? I couldn't find the details in the FAQs.

From the maps, I've got a feeling that flights might depart in Terminal B perhaps around B35/B36 or B44/B46 around WHSmiths simply because the Maple Tree lounge is nearby. However, it would be nice to confirm this if anybody else has any experience.

Also... having never flown from LHR Terminal 2, are there any oddities or nuances about AC's operation from there?

Thanks in advance,

Take care all

Simon.

NWIFlyer

AC is using T2B gates. With the MLL being located in the satellite, the distances back to T2A wouldn't make it practical to do anything else. The walk to them doesn't seem too bad, although there's an unusual arrangement where you have to go down and then up again from T2A to go underneath the runway/taxiway - it's usually far quicker to take the lifts rather than the series of escalators to do this.

There's no oddities in AC's operation compared to the other airlines - the differences are more in how T2 handles passengers compared to most other airports, such as the *G and Premium Cabin check-in desks being located behind the Y desks rather than alongside them (assuming you're starting your journey there and not transferring).

Once you get used to it, T2 is a great facility - generally streets ahead of the T3 experience, particularly for a non-status Y passenger.

Simon Schus

Thanks NWIFlyer for being to the point and very speedy in your fly - you provided a thorough answer giving me exactly what I was hoping to find out! ^:-:

Simon.

Jasper2009

No self-service as far as I know. However, in addition to the servers bringing drinks, there's also a bar where you can order drinks (though the staff were busy helping with the buffet when I was there)

SometimeTraveler

I used my PP card for access to this lounge Tuesday and found it to be very nice. We were there in the morning around 8:30 and they had a pretty good selection for breakfast. Hot items such as Oatmeal, eggs, bacon sausages etc plus a good choice of cold items as well. It was quiet while we where there so there was a selection of tables to sit at if you wanted to eat or easy chairs if you wanted to relax. I found the washrooms to be quite unique as they were each like private rooms with toilet and sink plus a small seating area. Overall a good experience.