brp

Just got back from experiencing some of these lounges.

First, I want to second what was said about the CX First lounge at LHR. Head and shoulders above the AA FL. No questions asked, IMO. They also had XO cognac. I can't remember whose it was, actually (not Remy or Hennessey), but it was tasty.

I do like ORD. Early in the day they have smoked salmon. Surely not the best I've had, but it's not bad. Little other snacks, and a nice cheese board.

Cheers.

tom911

Was this your first time in there? Quite an awakening compared to the Flagship Lounge, isn't it?

brp

Holy crAAP, yes. I'd been entitled to CX before, but never thought about going. Wish I had. While I've generally found the European ACs to be better than those in the US, I found the LHR FL to be quite inferior to the ORD or LAX FL, for example. CX was something else, entrely. And, because it was not normal CX flight time, there were very few people there.

First time, but not last as we head to LHR in about 10 days. Eyes wide open.

Cheers.

olimaspecto

I was back and forth between BOS adn LHR a number of times over the last few months and always used the CX First Lounge only. Two weeks ago when I was there I visited the FL and it is no comparison, the CX lounge is far nicer and newer. I also had the opportunity to visit the ORD FL for the first time in the evening on the way back adn I was quite impressed. Perhaps it was because I was less than impressed with the LHR FL, but I did quite enjoy the ORD FL - especially teh chocolate covered strawberries.

tom911

I showed up at the Qantas Lounge in Christchurch the other day about 90 mins before departure just so I could have breakfast there (toast, fresh fruit, yogurt, variety of cereals). I had the place to myself for an hour, and then everyone started showing up for the Queenstown flight. Nice start to the day (at least I get bagels and OJ when I'm in the AC at JFK in the a.m, but nice to have a selection of things).

I had to leave the FL at LAX early last week to get over to the TBIT. The QF lounge over there was packed. After a sandwich and bottle of water I walked out and waited in the terminal instead. The agent in the FL was worried I'd need extra time to get my QF boarding pass and clear security, so I went over 90 minutes ahead of departure time. It took all of about 10 minutes, as I got my pass in the F line and there was no line in security. Such is life at LAX.

number_6

There is a QF agent at the counter in the AC who can (and does) issue QF boarding passes (including TBIT flights), so you could have done this without leaving the FL. I've never taken longer than 5 minutes to clear security at TBIT but it does get bad at times (however CX will escort F pax through security if you are short on time, and I think QF will do this too, so you never need to leave 90 minutes as long as you are flying in F.

As for the CX lounge at LHR, it has been open for over a year (however only during CX flight times which were at night until CX started a daily daytime flight making the lounge hours match AA departure times). All of this has been reported many times on FT, in agonizing detail, so shouldn't be much of a surprise. Too bad CX doesn't have similar facilities at their other European airports.

sdix

At LAX I always grab a bite at the Chilis out front of the FL and at LHR there are many decent places to eat in the departures hall. Compared to other airline lounges AA has a lot to do to catch up. Even in the US DL's CRC and CO's clubs have free booze.

kenfry

it was *YOU*

sllevin

all I can say is...

"Airline Filet Mignon is PEOPLE!"



Steve

SteveChicago

I'm with you sllevin - love the Islay malts. Unique as a group, yet each one has its own distinctive taste. Lagavulin 16 yo is my personal favorite!

Steve

tom911

Yes, I know that. The line was 10 deep when I arrived, and I came out 30 mins later to find she had gone on her lunch break. I wasn't flying in F.

FWAAA

But I did not take the sundaes.