Several Hours Layover in LHR: Which Lounge? What to do?
Apr 23, 2018, 2:06 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
I've never had any issues arriving into T3 with a boarding pass for T5 and re-entering T3 departures. Transfer security will remind you that your next flight is at T5. You just politely tell them you know and that you are going to use the lounges here. Only downside is having to clear LHR security twice. So allow yourself enough time
To get to T5 from T3, go back the way you enterered and you should see a door for transfers that takes you back to the transit area to catch the shuttle for T5
To get to T5 from T3, go back the way you enterered and you should see a door for transfers that takes you back to the transit area to catch the shuttle for T5
Apr 23, 2018, 2:09 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: RDU
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 267
agreed - breakfast in AA (and download anything you need downloading there - WiFi is fantastic speed) and then go and hang out at Cathay for the views and champagne.
Apr 23, 2018, 3:31 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,262
Apr 23, 2018, 4:41 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PPro, DL Gold, UA Silver, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 116
The only interaction you will have is when they scan your BP prior to security
Apr 24, 2018, 4:11 am
#20
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
I always wanted to visit the AA arrivals lounge. When I finally could (final destination London), I was like "MEH".
Are the showers still available at Elemis Spa in Terminal 5 for business class pax? While the showers at Elemis Spa are kind of plastic-y and don't feel super luxurious they are fine and do the job. I've never tried the treatments at Elemis Spa (for pay) and I bet they are overpriced but you might consider doing any of those to kill time if budget allows it?
While others seem to love clearing immigration and taking the train just for the sake of visiting the AA's arrivals lounge, personally, I wouldn't go through the trouble.
BA Gallery lounges at Terminal 5 are busy/crowded but fine for me. Not more crowded than any of AA's hub lounges.
Are the showers still available at Elemis Spa in Terminal 5 for business class pax? While the showers at Elemis Spa are kind of plastic-y and don't feel super luxurious they are fine and do the job. I've never tried the treatments at Elemis Spa (for pay) and I bet they are overpriced but you might consider doing any of those to kill time if budget allows it?
While others seem to love clearing immigration and taking the train just for the sake of visiting the AA's arrivals lounge, personally, I wouldn't go through the trouble.
BA Gallery lounges at Terminal 5 are busy/crowded but fine for me. Not more crowded than any of AA's hub lounges.
Apr 24, 2018, 4:31 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,425
Terminal 3 lounges include:
Airside, departure lounges:
Airside, departure lounges:
American Airlines Flagship / First Class Lounge - Lounge Zone H
American Airlines Admirals Club - Lounge Zone H
British Airways First and Club / Business lounges - Lounge Zone F
Cathay Pacific First and Business lounges near Gate 11
Qantas Airways London Lounge - Lounge B / Gate
American Airlines Admirals Club - Lounge Zone H
British Airways First and Club / Business lounges - Lounge Zone F
Cathay Pacific First and Business lounges near Gate 11
Qantas Airways London Lounge - Lounge B / Gate
Apr 24, 2018, 4:38 am
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
By the time you get off the airplane, go through immigration, and have a shower at the arrivals lounge, easily one of your six hours will have been taken up. If you figure on leaving two hours before your next flight, you have a clear three hours to kill. I would not want to stay in a lounge for that amount of time, no matter how amenity-packed it is. There is only so much champagne and nibbles I can tolerate around lunchtime after a very short night. My personal suggestion is to follow the Windsor advice. Have a nice meal outside somewhere, walk around the castle area, get fresh air, really stretch your legs, etc. You'll acclimatise to the time change faster and you'll feel much better afterwards.
Apr 24, 2018, 5:28 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,262
- AA Flagship for cooked-to-order food (if you have access), some fruit/veggie smoothies and some takeaway candy (for the kids, of course)
- Cathay for noodles and dimsum (and if you have EXP status, the First side has a nice sit-down cooked-to-order restaurant)
- Qantas for the gin bar, decor, decent food spread, and then some serious peace and quiet. A couple weeks ago was there around 12:30pm, and when the Perth flight was called, the entire lounge emptied and we were the only ones left.
They are all within a very short walk of each other, so have fun checking them all out.
Apr 24, 2018, 10:08 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 114
You will almost certainly not have access to return to T3 since you'll be shuffled through to flight connections for the bus to T5. I have inquired in the past about staying in T3 and was denied. This is unfortunate as the best LHR oneworld lounges are in T3 (Qantas and Cathay being my preferences over AA and BA)
...
If you're feeling adventurous, you could do what we did. Stop in the AA Arrivals lounge for a shower and clear immigration. Then a 20-minute Uber to the town of Windsor. Probably not enough time to go into the castle, but would give you a couple hours to wander around town before an Uber back to LHR T5.
...
If you're feeling adventurous, you could do what we did. Stop in the AA Arrivals lounge for a shower and clear immigration. Then a 20-minute Uber to the town of Windsor. Probably not enough time to go into the castle, but would give you a couple hours to wander around town before an Uber back to LHR T5.
QUESTION: If I go ahead and head to AA Arrivals, taking my shower and heading into Windsor, how long should I leave for getting back thru security at T5?
Apr 24, 2018, 10:12 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 114
Apr 24, 2018, 10:51 am
#26
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,262
Thanks, dave_261. I've been to Windsor last year and it's very cute, to be sure. Did the full Castle tour, then, as well. I like the idea of that, but since I need to meet up with my husband (who is flying in from LAX and will get in a few hours before our Rome flight), I'm not sure if it all works out, timing-wise.
QUESTION: If I go ahead and head to AA Arrivals, taking my shower and heading into Windsor, how long should I leave for getting back thru security at T5?
QUESTION: If I go ahead and head to AA Arrivals, taking my shower and heading into Windsor, how long should I leave for getting back thru security at T5?
Our agenda was something like this:
- 1 hour to deplane, clear immigration, Arrivals lounge for shower/food (as you know, clearing immigration can vary, but as a Fast Track it was lightning quick at 6:15am)
- 45 minutes for Uber (the actual ride is only about 25, but it took about 20 mins from ordering the car to meeting the driver in the short-term parking lot as it gets congested in the pick-up area). You could take a LHR black cab but the fare will be significantly higher
- 3 hours in Windsor (as a tip, we had some rollaboard bags which we were able to leave in at the check-in desk at the Macdonald Windsor Hotel with no issues)
- 30 minutes for Uber back to T5
- 30 minutes to clear immigration and security into T5 (again, as a business class passenger security wait should be minimal)
- 60 minutes at lounge before heading to gate
Long answer to your question... but in essence, I'd leave Windsor 2.5 hours before your flight departure. Even if traffic is bad (say 45 mins) and the immigration and security lines are excessively long (say, 1 hour), you still get to your gate before boarding.
Apr 24, 2018, 12:03 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 114
Correct, you do not have to interact with anyone when you leave the T3 departure area, there are 2 doors you go through to access the transit area again. Sign may be labeled "Flight Connections" if I recall.
The only interaction you will have is when they scan your BP prior to security
The only interaction you will have is when they scan your BP prior to security
So my noob question here is, after deplaning, I go through Immigration (getting spit out into the baggage claim area) and then I take the escalators or whatever BACK to departures to re-enter T3 through Security?
Would my bag be checked through (AA-BA)? Or would I need to collect my bag and then re-check?
Thanks,
Apr 24, 2018, 12:21 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,262
Hi Fobby:
So my noob question here is, after deplaning, I go through Immigration (getting spit out into the baggage claim area) and then I take the escalators or whatever BACK to departures to re-enter T3 through Security?
Would my bag be checked through (AA-BA)? Or would I need to collect my bag and then re-check?
Thanks,
So my noob question here is, after deplaning, I go through Immigration (getting spit out into the baggage claim area) and then I take the escalators or whatever BACK to departures to re-enter T3 through Security?
Would my bag be checked through (AA-BA)? Or would I need to collect my bag and then re-check?
Thanks,
Your bag will be checked through to your end destination if you're on one ticket... no need to claim in LHR.
Apr 24, 2018, 12:29 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,644
