shorthauldad

Tumi? None of that here.

I have a second-hand, dented, scuffed, Rimova...

...or a variety of cardboard boxes! However, I tend not to bother with the string - I use Fragile tape

astralclouds

It felt pretty exclusive at 04:30 on 27 March 2008, but that was before the shops opened and the terminal lost face to such an extent that it took until the 2012 Olympics to prove itself.

PanGalactic

no comment

Steve Oh

We have a saying here when it comes to T5. It goes something like this:

And that's about as far as it goes.

Phil the Flyer

I presume you posted this from a pub.

Hubbabridge

I had no idea that the pods went to Reading: I assume you are from New Zealand like myself

Fruitcake

It's better designed and easier to use than any other terminal I know, despite some flaws. It's almost exclusive use by BA is great too.

But, in the end, it is an airport terminal with high end shops and good lounges. I suppose the concern is that T2 will supersede it.

T8191

Nice for those here who use the Lounges. I wonder what the view is from those who don't have access?

That sort of links back to that Forum attitudes thread. Does anyone here actually know what it's like at T5 without Lounge access? That would really be 'inclusive', instead of threads of complaints about the brand of free beverages in the CCR.

Just a thought, particularly at this stressful time for so many people.

Fruitcake

Good point. It seems to me, however, the terminal is good without lounge access. For example, it is airy and bright and its excellent connections to and from public transport, well arranged check in, and the limited walking needed to and from gates don't depend on status. It's the high end nature of the shops that worries me more at this stressful time... I can't afford them, that's for sure!

CreativeBill

Yep, I'm on first name terms with the Maitre d' at Plane Food. The fish cakes with Harissa can sometimes be on the salty side and I'm not keen on the polenta chips.

V Bar is the best place for a quiet drink or meeting, Espresso the best for views of the planes. (Gate A5 used to be before they put the play area there).

Seafood Bar does the best breakfasts.

I prefer Pret's flat white to Starbucks and the queues are a lot shorter.

Itsu is a good place to eat before a long-haul flight.

I won't bother talking about the shops as I know you wouldn't deign to enter them anyway .

Anything else you want to know?

pianoamit

I've never done T5 without a lounge, but I have done T1 without a lounge numerous times. It really isn't that bad, as far as I have experienced it. I think it's the type of person who is offended by the vision of 'riff-raff swilling white wine and champagne in the same flute' (if I may so paraphrase) that is the type of person who would be disgusted by the idea of eating paid-for food in a restaurant near the great unwashed...

layz

I only reached silver beginning of last year (and now I'm gold!) prior to that I had to use T5 without a lounge as I travelled a lot of domestic and so no cheap CE upgrades (and I didn't think it was worth paying for fully flex just for a lounge).

Without a lounge I did find T5 more pleasant than the other LHR terminals and would struggle to find an airport that was significantly better than it. There's enough variety on places to eat and a few different bars. The spacious feel of the terminal creates a better atmosphere than the older terminals.

I also know some people here choose to eat in places such as Plane Food rather than the lounge, for those that travel so much and are on long connections you can see why it must be nice to eat somewhere other than the lounge every so often.

Too many shops for my liking, but other people enjoy shopping and it will help keep them occupied when waiting for their flight.

Fruitcake

And the rest... ^

kanderson1965

Before I travelled in club or became silver I found T5 a pain, usually in the legs and feet. I have a bad habit of turning up hours too early for anything and the lack of seating at times meant I spent endless time just wandering around aimlessly. I am not that interested in the usual goods for sale and, being of northern origin, object to the prices anyway. I would have been happy if someone had provided a seating area where I could just watch the planes. Once I managed to get into GC North I was happy, a cuppa and a window to look out of.

shorthauldad

Lack of seating (at the gates or indeed just generally) - tick
Not much space to walk around in between the shops(!) - tick
Certainly nowhere quiet to sit and work - tick

Yes, I can certainly recall the T5 experience without the lounge access!