Sep 16, 2015, 12:29 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Two routes will be moving to LGW South ahead of the formal move date.
from 11 January 2017: BA2273 will depart for JFK out of the South Terminal
from 12 January 2017: BA2272 will arrive into the South Terminal from JFK
from 19 January 2017: BA Naples flights will operate in/out of the South Terminal
Customers on these flights should check in at Zone A within the South Terminal
from 25 January 2017: all other BA flights will operate in/out of the South Terminal.
The BA First and Terraces lounges in the North Terminal closed on the evening of 04 January 2016. BA passengers can now use the No.1 Lounge and My Lounge in the North Terminal until the date BA moves its operations to the South Terminal (currently estimated to happen in November 2016), where there will be a new British Airways lounge. The new British Airways lounge in the South Terminal is anticipated to follow the latest concept found at EDI, GLA, IAD, CPT and SIN, and will include a dedicated area for First and oneworld Emerald passengers. It is not yet clear what form this area will take (ie. whether it will be a separate First lounge or include a Concorde Bar/Dining concept). For more information, see here and here
For information on the temporary lounge arrangements in LGW North, see this thread:
Temporary BA Lounge at LGW North - No. 1 Lounge - Photos, reviews, questions
By way of guidance, the above Lounge thread is for direct questions and experiences on the No. 1 lounge, whereas the thread here below is suitable for discussing the broader issues arising from the move to South.
from 11 January 2017: BA2273 will depart for JFK out of the South Terminal
from 12 January 2017: BA2272 will arrive into the South Terminal from JFK
from 19 January 2017: BA Naples flights will operate in/out of the South Terminal
Customers on these flights should check in at Zone A within the South Terminal
from 25 January 2017: all other BA flights will operate in/out of the South Terminal.
The BA First and Terraces lounges in the North Terminal closed on the evening of 04 January 2016. BA passengers can now use the No.1 Lounge and My Lounge in the North Terminal until the date BA moves its operations to the South Terminal (currently estimated to happen in November 2016), where there will be a new British Airways lounge. The new British Airways lounge in the South Terminal is anticipated to follow the latest concept found at EDI, GLA, IAD, CPT and SIN, and will include a dedicated area for First and oneworld Emerald passengers. It is not yet clear what form this area will take (ie. whether it will be a separate First lounge or include a Concorde Bar/Dining concept). For more information, see here and here
For information on the temporary lounge arrangements in LGW North, see this thread:
Temporary BA Lounge at LGW North - No. 1 Lounge - Photos, reviews, questions
By way of guidance, the above Lounge thread is for direct questions and experiences on the No. 1 lounge, whereas the thread here below is suitable for discussing the broader issues arising from the move to South.
BA to move to LGW South Terminal Nov 2016 [revised to 25 Jan 2017]
Jan 5, 2016, 6:29 am
#511
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
Didn't somebody once suggest a live camera link to the agent's desk for all to watch in the lounge. The strops will at least bring a little entertainment into an otherwise rather miserable experience.
Luckily I've only got 2 visits planned to LGW this year...one with BA, so I get to see what this lounge is like...and the other with Iberia, at the No. 1 Lounge, LGW South.
Jan 5, 2016, 6:29 am
#512
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: BA Blue, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold
Posts: 402
I'll be interested to see what happens to GCH/SCH guesting people into the lounge. BA on twitter told a couple of silver card users that it was unlikely they'd be able to guest their friends into the lounge due to capacity - and that guesting people into any BA lounge has always been subject to capacity on the day.
I'm due to visit the lounge in a couple of weeks and was hoping to guest my colleague in, I suppose I'll give it a go but am prepared to be turned away.
Just saw another tweet to BA saying it was total chaos in the No 1 lounge, hopefully just teething problems!
I'm due to visit the lounge in a couple of weeks and was hoping to guest my colleague in, I suppose I'll give it a go but am prepared to be turned away.
Just saw another tweet to BA saying it was total chaos in the No 1 lounge, hopefully just teething problems!
Jan 5, 2016, 6:49 am
#513
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Programs: BAEC Gold Guest List, Hilton Honours Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 2,303
I don't think I'm even going to bother and try to guest my fellow traveller in next week. As our flight is 07:55 time is of the essence so maybe a breakfast in the main terminal is the best option.
Jan 5, 2016, 7:11 am
#515
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Seems this has all turned into a lose/lose situation.
Travellers who have bought an annual Priority Pass will feel hard done by that they may no longer find space in the No 1.
BA CE/CW travellers will feel hard done by that there is no longer an exclusive BA facility and the drinks/food have been downgraded.
BA F and Gold travellers will feel hard done by that there is no dedicated F facility and they have to mix with the great unwashed.
All sounds ghastly really.
Travellers who have bought an annual Priority Pass will feel hard done by that they may no longer find space in the No 1.
BA CE/CW travellers will feel hard done by that there is no longer an exclusive BA facility and the drinks/food have been downgraded.
BA F and Gold travellers will feel hard done by that there is no dedicated F facility and they have to mix with the great unwashed.
All sounds ghastly really.
Jan 5, 2016, 8:47 am
#516
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
I'd be astonished if they changed the terms of the One World agreement if BA are telling their pax they are welcome to use the No1 lounge. For example, not allowing you to guest someone in.
Additionally: Taking people's number to let them know when there is a free space?! It's hardly a top West End London restaurant. If it's full when we fly out in 10 days time we'll simply have breakfast in Jamie's upstairs.
Additionally: Taking people's number to let them know when there is a free space?! It's hardly a top West End London restaurant. If it's full when we fly out in 10 days time we'll simply have breakfast in Jamie's upstairs.
Also, as far as I can discern, no one at BA really cares about oneworld rules.
Jan 5, 2016, 8:49 am
#517
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 36
I haven't yet experienced the new arrangement at Gatwick but had an excellent experience at LHR T3 recently flying with Finnair. The Cathay lounge at T3 is currently being refurbished so Cathay and Finnair customers are being offered the No 1 lounge instead. On arrival they took a copy of my boarding pass, gave me a voucher for unlimited free drinks (I wish I'd kept it!) and escorted me to a private room which had been set aside for AY/CX passengers where there was an at seat service for drinks and food (all complimentary).
It's a shame this didn't happen at Gatwick my guess is that it would have been far too expensive for BA given the number of passengers. The old BA galleries club lounge at Gatwick was tremendously busy the last time I used it around two years ago.
It's a shame this didn't happen at Gatwick my guess is that it would have been far too expensive for BA given the number of passengers. The old BA galleries club lounge at Gatwick was tremendously busy the last time I used it around two years ago.
Jan 5, 2016, 2:37 pm
#518
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,900
Having been in the No.1 a good few times at LGW North I quite like it. It can get very crowded though especially in Summer. Standing room only and on traditional holiday periods.
I will certainly miss the Galleries First. I loved that lounge and its staff. For a temp lounge this is not too bad.
I will certainly miss the Galleries First. I loved that lounge and its staff. For a temp lounge this is not too bad.
Jan 5, 2016, 2:56 pm
#519
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sheffield
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 417
As for lounge capacity restrictions, BA's own only ever affected guests on very rare occasions, usually huge number of IRROPS.
In this case BA should have agreed that its own pax, by virtue of cabin or status, must always be admitted, but any restriction can be applied to guests.
The idea that someone flying an cheap LCC SH flight will be allowed in if they pay, but a BA F passenger will be turned away "due to capacity restrictions" is frankly ridiculous.
It would be interesting to know who is pocketing the saving on this one - LGW's owners or BA.
In this case BA should have agreed that its own pax, by virtue of cabin or status, must always be admitted, but any restriction can be applied to guests.
The idea that someone flying an cheap LCC SH flight will be allowed in if they pay, but a BA F passenger will be turned away "due to capacity restrictions" is frankly ridiculous.
It would be interesting to know who is pocketing the saving on this one - LGW's owners or BA.
The fact is, pay at the door customers are more valuable to No.1 than you or any other BA passenger is, which is evident when No.1 will not reserve capacity. Pay on the door rate is £5 more than the pre-book rate.
Last edited by kdhurst380; Jan 5, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Jan 5, 2016, 3:35 pm
#520
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London
Programs: Sir Ratechaser Seigneur de la Patience d'un Saint (Mucci), BA Silver, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 2,569
Well, with that I feel lucky that I'm going with Virgin to CUN this Easter... Last year was with BA, and GC was a total zoo then (on a Monday). My wife was not impressed.
In fact some of you may recall me asking at the time if I could get some peace/champagne in GF but sadly the thread descended into childish innuendo and double entendre. Can't think how that happened... 🙄🙄
In fact some of you may recall me asking at the time if I could get some peace/champagne in GF but sadly the thread descended into childish innuendo and double entendre. Can't think how that happened... 🙄🙄
Jan 5, 2016, 6:30 pm
#523
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,541
Payments are indeed always per passenger. The rate per passenger will be significantly lower than what No1 will charge individuals (probably well under half of it).
Jan 5, 2016, 6:38 pm
#524
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Buckinghamshire
Programs: BAEC Gold Guest List, Hilton Honours Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 2,303
Jan 5, 2016, 8:29 pm
#525
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,541
That said, I do agree with other posters that the transition has not been organised very well and at least F passengers, and probably GCH and above could have been given "credit" for one of the lounges' premium offerings for instance.