Feb 6, 2017, 8:42 am
Last edit by: corporate-wage-slave
This thread is relates to the temporary lounge facilities for LGW South. At the time of writing there are three lounges open, the two permanent lounges for First and Club, linked immediately below, and the temporary Speedbird lounge, which is handled in this thread. The Clubrooms facility referenced below has now ended.
Details on the new BA First Lounge can be found here:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-february.html
Details on the new BA Club Lounge can be found here:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ub-lounge.html
Temporary access directions for the new lounge can be found by clicking here.
Details on the new BA First Lounge can be found here:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-february.html
Details on the new BA Club Lounge can be found here:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ub-lounge.html
Temporary access directions for the new lounge can be found by clicking here.
Lounge Focus - London Gatwick (LGW) South: Temporary BA Lounge
Jan 25, 2017, 3:24 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,663
Whilst disappointing, could a factor be that the new BA lounge is a new build project, whereas Virgin merely took over the old BA lounge in the North and refurbished it.
I believe the BA lounge is largely ready but it is an electrical/fire alarm certification issue, due to it being a new space. Anyone with knowledge of the new Berlin airport will understand that these factors can delay opening!
I believe the BA lounge is largely ready but it is an electrical/fire alarm certification issue, due to it being a new space. Anyone with knowledge of the new Berlin airport will understand that these factors can delay opening!
Jan 25, 2017, 3:29 am
#62
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Jan 25, 2017, 3:30 am
#63
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Since they knew there was an issue last week, it suggests to me that it is not a simple quick fix item that needs to be addressed. My guess would be that it may be weeks rather than days before the permanent lounge facilities are available.
Jan 25, 2017, 3:38 am
#64
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: Executive Club
Posts: 3
Thanks corporate-wage-slave
My main reason for posting was to balance up the experience this morning in the South terminal, because from the Clubroom prospective there is no negative feedback warranted.
Just BA's typical lack of serious interest in their passengers regardless what they say!
My main reason for posting was to balance up the experience this morning in the South terminal, because from the Clubroom prospective there is no negative feedback warranted.
Just BA's typical lack of serious interest in their passengers regardless what they say!
Jan 25, 2017, 3:41 am
#65
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
It is pretty disappointing that this cannot be got right for a major event like this after such a long time in the planning, and I can't see any reference to it on BA.com (my next BA LGW booking is a couple of months away, so can't read much into the fact that there is nothing in MMB). Agree that the level of organisation for the alternative arrangements would suggest they've been aware for a while that they wouldn't make it.
However, the alternative arrangements don't look too bad (echo the appreciation of the work of CWS and andrewkeith5), and I would imagine BA's big concern will be flights departing/arriving on time with no more bags than usual going missing. Their nightmare scenario would be queues out the door and crowds of people sitting on the terminal floor talking to TV reporters. I'd agree that they will probably consider what's happening a success, despite the lounge fail.
However, the alternative arrangements don't look too bad (echo the appreciation of the work of CWS and andrewkeith5), and I would imagine BA's big concern will be flights departing/arriving on time with no more bags than usual going missing. Their nightmare scenario would be queues out the door and crowds of people sitting on the terminal floor talking to TV reporters. I'd agree that they will probably consider what's happening a success, despite the lounge fail.
Jan 25, 2017, 3:46 am
#66
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Aberdeen
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 648
Thanks for all the excellent info CWS.
Are you or anyone else using the new Speedbird Lounge for Club passengers able to advise what the food offering is for the rest of the day after breakfast is cleared?
Will there be hot food 12-3 and 6-close or will it just be sandwiches and cakes all day?
I have a 7 hour layover on 25Feb and was looking forward to the large new lounge so a little wary this may not be an overly pleasant experience now!
Also how's the seating looking? Mega crowded all day with lack of seats or is it not so bad?
Thanks in advance.
Are you or anyone else using the new Speedbird Lounge for Club passengers able to advise what the food offering is for the rest of the day after breakfast is cleared?
Will there be hot food 12-3 and 6-close or will it just be sandwiches and cakes all day?
I have a 7 hour layover on 25Feb and was looking forward to the large new lounge so a little wary this may not be an overly pleasant experience now!
Also how's the seating looking? Mega crowded all day with lack of seats or is it not so bad?
Thanks in advance.
Jan 25, 2017, 3:49 am
#67
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Brighton, England
Programs: BA Silver, VS, Costa Coffee, My Waitrose
Posts: 153
Indeed. As I highlighted in a separate thread earlier this week, BA check-in staff at Gatwick mentioned to me last week that the new lounges may not be ready for the move this week. It seems they were right!
Since they knew there was an issue last week, it suggests to me that it is not a simple quick fix item that needs to be addressed. My guess would be that it may be weeks rather than days before the permanent lounge facilities are available.
Since they knew there was an issue last week, it suggests to me that it is not a simple quick fix item that needs to be addressed. My guess would be that it may be weeks rather than days before the permanent lounge facilities are available.
And the C word, bet thats gone for good in GC .
Jan 25, 2017, 4:04 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Wouldn't it depend on whether the prosecco is worse than the champagne? I've not been to GC for ages and never tend to ask for any in outstations but I can imagine the champagne on demand in GC has been enhanced to the cheapest available.
Jan 25, 2017, 4:06 am
#70
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Although having had my first LGW South Clubrooms experience last week ... when I received my SMS questionnaire from BA I commented that "it was disappointing to see that BA didn't have a branded lounge available, but nice that the Clubrooms food and drink was better quality than what BA usually offer frequent fliers"
Jan 25, 2017, 4:27 am
#72
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,418
Thanks for all the kind words. I am sorry that the previous assurances that I passed on didn't quite work out: as with everything else here really, since I don't work for BA....
I did ask, let us say, someone senior in BA when the lounge was being ready. He was willing to be quoted with anything more than "soon", the subtext, if I may interpret, was "I'd really like to say (e.g.) Saturday but I dare not make a false promise here that's going to end up on BA FT". I did try to push him to "within the next month?" and he rapidly said: "oh well before then". So I think a week or so, even though the amount of work needed sounds fairly trivial. Trivial, but still important in terms of safe operations.
I did ask, let us say, someone senior in BA when the lounge was being ready. He was willing to be quoted with anything more than "soon", the subtext, if I may interpret, was "I'd really like to say (e.g.) Saturday but I dare not make a false promise here that's going to end up on BA FT". I did try to push him to "within the next month?" and he rapidly said: "oh well before then". So I think a week or so, even though the amount of work needed sounds fairly trivial. Trivial, but still important in terms of safe operations.
The temp lounge "Speedbird" is pretty decent enough for now. There is lots of hugely positive words from staff here at LGW with regards to the new lounge and they are certainly setting high expectations. Could we be possibly looking at the best lounge in EU!!! (these are my words!!)
I'll post some pics in the meantime for anyone visiting in the next 48 hours (once the wifi works!...
Jan 25, 2017, 4:29 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Jan 25, 2017, 4:37 am
#74
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,603
It sounds like we spoke to the same person (J?! Not sure if I should mention his name in a public forum out of respect). I asked similar questions and received very similar word for word response. He would be surprised if its not open on Saturday when he's next back on shift.
