Oakshadow

Sorry, will try what soon? Is there a question about LHR lounges?

mickeyjaw

Just to make it abundantly clear:

When you land at LHR you are separated from departing passengers. You cannot access the airside lounges. You have 2 options - flight connections or customs/immigration.

You cannot go through flight connections without a boarding pass for an onward flight.

You cannot go through security to go airside without a boarding pass for an onward flight departing from that terminal.

If you have arrived at LHR without an onward flight your only lounge options are the landside ones.

If you have arrived at LHR with an onward flight you can go landside and use a landside lounge and/or use a lounge in the terminal of your onward flight.

Oakshadow

Good information but I have a question. Once one goes airside at Heathrow, can you exit the airside area and go landside again?

I'm asking because I actually had an onward connecting boarding pass, but it was a 12 hour layover so I opted to go through customs/immigration and go into town. But a friend of mine was at the T3 VS Clubhouse (which I had access to as I was flying VS Upper Class) and I was thinking of using my valid boarding pass to visit him there and then go into town. But I honestly didn't know that once I was passed security and was airside if I was allowed to exit the airside area again like can be easily done in US airports.

I didn't bother to find out and just stayed landside for a majority of my 12 hour layover.

KARFA

At T3 once in the airside departures area you can exit, and this would mean going out via immigration. The arrangement in T3 has changed a little recently with the opening of the new flight connections centre. In terms of the route out have a look at this post covering the new T3 FCC which is in the T5 connections guide

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29998308-post383.html

There is another issue if you exit but want to return later on the same bp certainly for T5 as you will already be flagged as 'Ready to Fly' on your first entry. This can be undone but it isn't necessarily trivial. At T3 I don't think they quote have the same system, but if you were wanting to re-enter later I wouldn't leave it to the last moment in case there is a similar issue to sort out.

Oakshadow

This was all very helpful for the future. Thank you. As for this "Ready to Fly" status, is undoing this easy? How exactly is it undone?

KARFA

Cloudship

I paid 40 pounds for two hours here?

Lounge is small and crowded, hard to find a seat. Would be a nice view of the runway but these are the high side cubicle seat where you cant spread your arms, the "table" is fixed and nearly useless, and there's not enough room for everyone and their bags, so you have to wind your way through. They don't come around collecting plates, and still charge for drinks. Fortunately Internet is OK though.Then again, looks like there is NO available seating out in the terminal.

mickeyjaw

Assuming you mean the 'Plaza Premium' then I must admit that sounds very different from the experiences I've had in that lounge, although I haven't been in there since April - I've been using the BA lounges since then as I know have status.

Back when I used to be a semi-regular (about monthly) visitor there I never saw more than about 10-20 people using the lounge at any one time and found the food selection quite good.

The only time I've ever paid for a drink was when I asked for Prosecco - I think they might have had one or two other 'premium' options that were paid for but basic beer/wine/spirit/soft drink options were free.

I guess maybe times have changed since then?

BruceyBonus

Does anyone know if it's possible to visit the Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge in T4 without needing a flight boarding pass?

I have a free Lounge Buddy coupon expiring on 31st December, and no flights booked until after the New Year. I'm collecting a relative from T4 next weekend, so thought I could pop in for a coffee and quick meal before picking them up. Would that be allowed if I made the pre-booking?

txflyer77

Flying UA out of T2, is the Plaza Premium lounge or the UA Club the better option? I have free entry to either. I assume the UA Club will be more convenient for my gate.

yyznomad

I can't speak to which is a better option, but regarding the United Club, it is in the B concourse (a bit of a walk from the main A concourse) where UA flights go out of. So yes, the United Club is much closer to your gate in that regard.

aks120

Okto

Newbie lounge question: I have a 6-hour layover at LHR T3 and I'm contemplating making a reservation at the No1 lounge. If I understand their terms correctly, they state that a max stay of 3 hours is permitted, but you can't enter until 3 hours before departure time. Obviously I'm not going to be at the lounge until the last minute before boarding, but given the duration of my layover I'd like to maximize my 3 hours at the lounge. So for example, if my flight were to depart at 7pm, could I enter at 3pm and leave at 6pm? Or will they enforce T-3 and deny access until 4pm? If so, it looks like you're paying for 3 hours but staying ~2.5 hours. Thanks.

Vasco Pridat

Old post new question same topic...
I will be arriving sat evening from mad layover in Hilton to leave Sunday morning to lax.
I guess I can't go airside in t5 with a boarding pass for the next day to get dinner at a lounge .
But I could use the t4 plaza premium arrivals.. Right?
Will they have warm food included in the priority pass or Amex deal? I can't find answers. Some say food is an add on?
Thnx

jp_fin

Haven't visited T4 myself. At least PP arrivals T2 you can visit anytime with Priority Pass, no boarding pass asked.
Warm food included, usually available until 30 minutes before closing.