Originally Posted by sau54 (Post 34365401)

I was also at AMS last week and I don't remember seeing the CT scanners. I think I read in the news that the CT scanners were slower, but given the chaos at airports these days, I don't pay very close attention. HEL was definitely better than LHR. Since I was flying AY in J, I didn't have to line up to get to the second floor for departure. I just got there and immediately head towards priority security. I also didn't have to take anything out of my bag.

Originally Posted by Radiation Station (Post 34365416)

I suppose it might take more time to look at each bag as it passes through, but I think they save a lot of time because people can just dump their bags and walk through. There’s always a load of people who sleep walk their way to security and then seem surprised when they have to take liquids out etc.

HEL is such a great airport, I’ve really enjoying flying from there a couple of times this month. As you say, priority security is a dream there.

Originally Posted by KARFA (Post 34365426)

You didn’t have to take anything out of the bag as they are all CT scanners at AMS now.

Originally Posted by Radiation Station (Post 34365416)

I suppose it might take more time to look at each bag as it passes through, but I think they save a lot of time because people can just dump their bags and walk through.

Originally Posted by LAX/HKG (Post 25593850)

What about the J lounges? Which one in T3 is the best?

Originally Posted by IanG84 (Post 34368171)

I’d say Cathay Pacific Business lounge, hands down. Did a bit of a tour a couple
of weeks ago on a short BA hop to Pisa.

The BA lounge was horrific in T3. It was rammed and felt like you were just sat in the departure hall.

The Qantas lounge was nice but I couldn’t get my head around what the food offer was.

Headed back to the Cathay Pacific lounge, reached in one of their lovely recliner arm chairs with foot stool and views across the field. Food delicious. Bar offer and service great.

Originally Posted by EDDLEGLL (Post 34292779)

I highly doubt it’s a big issue at all - the vast majority of travellers have no idea.

Only this morning I told a fellow gold card holder in the office about how excited I was to be finally flying to HEL again, “because it’s T3” and she had no idea. Even after telling her about the “amazing world of CX F and QF” she’s still not convinced and will likely end up in BA GF again on her next trip.

The one thing that might increase awareness is the fact that the BA App no longer shows you which lounge to use, but instead redirects you to the oneworld lounge finder where access rules are prominently displayed.

Originally Posted by SW7London (Post 34294054)

Same experience, very frequent flyers who are BA Gold completely unaware they can use other Oneworld lounges!

Interesting that the BA app now directs you to the Oneworld lounge finder - I would have thought BA would be charged each time one of their passengers enters the CX/QF lounges at T3, and for obvious reasons they would rather those passengers in their own BA lounges as there is no additional cash outlay. Be interesting to see how long the BA App stays this way!

Originally Posted by KARFA (Post 34376496)

I can only assume that line is said very much tongue in cheek. It is not a realistic reason for a mass terminal move of BA routes with two weeks notice in the middle of the S22 season.

Originally Posted by sau54 (Post 34362690)

It happens all the time and I don't think it's fair to blame it on Americans. I was at the VS security screening last week and there was a guy that brought jam. He had an European accent speaking English. I do find it annoying that people are not ready for the security screenings. Whether it's liquid, laptops, or whatever, I don't understand how in this day and age, people aren't ready. Before I even get to the trays, the reps would remind us to take out the laptop and liquid. Yet, people still get to the tray not understanding what has to be done. I even saw a British family of three (spoke with a British accent) that was totally unprepared for the security screening. They were at T3 fast track and just ahead of me. I think they managed to talk themselves to the fast track because they were running late. It was a crazy day at Heathrow and I guess if you say the right things, you can skip the lines. Anyways, I got really frustrated with this family as they had to unpack everything from their bag. I lost patience and ask if I can just jump in front of them since they were taking their time!!! The guy told me to chill and I responded that he should have been ready for the screening as he was holding everyone back. I want to go to the lounge and not want to watch him unpack and repack his bag! I guess there's no love lost between Brits and Americans as he obviously knows where I'm from given my accent!

Originally Posted by jmasgat (Post 34388312)

Newbie question (and may I never have to fly BA again with the issues I've been having with my booking). As a result of my latest flight segment cancellation, I am rebooked on a connecting flight out of LHR to MXP--but in coach. I am in Business Class on AA from Bos arriving in T3, and now with a 5 hr layover. I'm being told by AA that I will get the benefits of the highest fare class--meaning I should get lounge access. Anyone have experience that this is the case?n I will want a hot shower, food and a place to sit, and I would at least try to get into the Cathay Lounge at T3 before heading over to T5.

If worse came to worse, we could go Arrivals and then go on to T5--but I'd like to avoid that.

Originally Posted by eddy67 (Post 34389486)

To lounge hop in T3 do you need status or is simply holding a Club World/AA Business Class boarding pass sufficient ?

Having hardly flown like many others I am forgetting the basics of lounge rules lol

I have never been through T3 but will be next month. TIA

Originally Posted by eddy67 (Post 34389486)

To lounge hop in T3 do you need status or is simply holding a Club World/AA Business Class boarding pass sufficient ?

Having hardly flown like many others I am forgetting the basics of lounge rules lol

I have never been through T3 but will be next month. TIA

Originally Posted by KARFA (Post 34389293)

so yes you get access to J lounges based on your inbound long haul J bp. Keep hold of it as you’ll need to show it alongside your outbound LHR-MXP bp.

when you arrive in t3 you can head to flight connections T3 and go airside if you want to use the lounges. Make sure you leave plenty of time to get to T5, you need to be getting to security absolutely no later than 35 mins before your scheduled flight time. You can use the BA J lounges in T5 of course on the same basis as above.

Originally Posted by Radiation Station (Post 34389542)

I honestly had no idea you could visit the T3 lounges if arriving into T3 and connecting on to T5. I guess I assumed you wouldn’t be able to access the T3 lounges physically or technically. That is very good to know for the future, thanks.

Originally Posted by MarioRossi (Post 34389571)

I am also not sure the information is correct. Are you now able to go through security at T3 with a T5 boarding pass? Didn't work in the past and since you need to re-clear security on inbound, I am unsure whether you'd get through.

Maybe someone here can help? Access to T3 with T5 boarding pass?

Originally Posted by KARFA (Post 34389578)

Yes if going through connections, no if coming from landside.

Originally Posted by MarioRossi (Post 34389591)

Thank you for clarifying. So theoretically one could clear security at T5, take the bus to T3, lounge hop there and then go back to T5? Not that it's something I would do with the current situation at security.

Originally Posted by KARFA (Post 34389597)

theoretically, but I wouldn’t do it in normal times unless you really know what you are doing and where you are going. Also you will have caused problems with your t5 flight as you will have been marked as ready to fly the first time you went through security, so you will need to have this fixed when you come back to t5.

Originally Posted by KARFA (Post 34389492)

if you are in J you can use any J lounge, or all of them in T3. You won’t be allowed to guest tho.

Originally Posted by babyg_wc (Post 34393617)

Can a BA silver flying BA economy guest into CX/Qantas in T3?

Originally Posted by KARFA (Post 34393627)

yes

Originally Posted by MarioRossi (Post 34389603)

Yeah I know this issue from long layovers when having breakfast in the lounge and then going for a run along the runways.

But thank you for your information 👍👍

Originally Posted by abligh (Post 34394404)

I really hope you were going for a run along the walkways, not along the runways!

Originally Posted by markmac (Post 34395804)

Qantas does not serve champagne, only sparkling wine.
Cathay serves Laurent Perrier, not LPGS tho.

Originally Posted by happiest_at_40000 (Post 34396462)

I will be visiting T3 OW lounges for the first time this week and have 4 questions. I really appreciate any help with this:

1) Any recommendations for the order to hit them? I will be arriving at 6am and departing at 2pm.. From what I can tell above good to hit QF early enough to have sit down service so I was thinking breakfast there and lunch at the CX lounge. Is it worth paying a visit to the BA lounge or no?

QF first as they close their downstairs at 12pm, so if you want squid you can go there first then CX.
BA - why?


2) Which has the best showers?? HOT water is so important to me and I'd love to hear if there are any opinions as to which is the hottest. My only LHR showers have been in the UA arrival lounge and that was hot. Hoping finding hot water in T3 wont be an issue. The FL lounges in the US are a joke for hot water except for LAX.

CX has lovely showers

3) Is the AA arrivals lounge worth visiting or better to just clear security and come back airside? If the arrivals lounge is the go to for the hot water then of course worth a stop. But if not for that, is it worth a visit for the sit down breakfast?

Never been, so no opinion. Again, CX showers are lovely.

4) Will I be able to access the F part of the CX and BA lounges due to arriving in FF on AA? OW rules would allow this as my onward flight is same day and less than 5 hours so that the long haul is clearly the flight over from the states. My onward flight will be a separate ticket that is LHR-NAP in Business so I know that covers me for the lounges albeit the F part of CX/BA so I am hoping the AA BP gets me in.



Thank in advance for answers to these 4 questions :)

Originally Posted by PGberkshire (Post 34396517)

Answers in line

Originally Posted by happiest_at_40000 (Post 34396462)

I4) Will I be able to access the F part of the CX and BA lounges due to arriving in FF on AA? OW rules would allow this as my onward flight is same day and less than 5 hours so that the long haul is clearly the flight over from the states. My onward flight will be a separate ticket that is LHR-NAP in Business so I know that covers me for the lounges albeit the F part of CX/BA so I am hoping the AA BP gets me in.

Thank in advance for answers to these 4 questions :)

Originally Posted by Prospero (Post 34396548)

Can I check this. You will arrive in T3 early morning and will fly out to AMM on BA from T5 on the late afternoon flight? If so, I think your only option at T3 will be the AA Arrivals Lounge. Happy to be corrected though

Originally Posted by KARFA (Post 34396137)

Well I had it last week and I don’t rate it tbh. Much more prefer the champagne in the CX lounge - or even the champagne in the BA lounge.

Originally Posted by choosethedrew (Post 34397275)

Chacun à son goût! I really liked it, very full and less sharp than some champagne.