AA Flagship lounge LHR T3 worth a visit?
Aug 6, 2017, 7:31 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,222
Aug 6, 2017, 8:55 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
Aug 6, 2017, 9:01 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
Flagship lounges are more or less the AA equivalent of BA F lounges like GF (though some are being upgraded to offer CCR style F dining). As with BA, they are not in many airports, but LHR has one. You'd need to be OWE (or flying AA F, not sure about other OW F) to get in.
edit - I'm not sure whether the new expanded Flagship lounge access policy (link to AA forum thread below) applies at LHR. If so, it may no longer be only OWE.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ne-2017-a.html
edit - I'm not sure whether the new expanded Flagship lounge access policy (link to AA forum thread below) applies at LHR. If so, it may no longer be only OWE.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ne-2017-a.html
The lounge is scheduled for a refit and once this is completed it'll open as a Flagship lounge (and possibly have Flagship dining too). According to AA this is scheduled to completed in 2018.
Once the refit is completed, J+F and OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire will have access to the Flagship lounge and those flying F will have access to Flagship dining.
Aug 6, 2017, 1:22 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,817
I will agree with those that say that the decor and views make the lounge a bit drab but I have always enjoyed this lounge because of the food. I am usually in first thing in the morning and not able to eat breakfast at the hotel. The buffet spread is always quite good and and plentiful. The staff is always nice enough to let me know that I can order off a menu as well but never a need as there is so much out on the buffet and I find it good. I am sure based on reports here that the CX F lounge is better but I find this one pretty good an serves my purpose for sure.
Aug 6, 2017, 1:28 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, 1MM
Posts: 643
The lounge is scheduled for a refit and once this is completed it'll open as a Flagship lounge (and possibly have Flagship dining too). According to AA this is scheduled to completed in 2018.
Once the refit is completed, J+F and OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire will have access to the Flagship lounge and those flying F will have access to Flagship dining.
Aug 6, 2017, 1:55 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
They would need to reconfigure the space, I think. Currently, the F lounge is small and the J lounge is much larger. I doubt they could have all AA's F, J and OWE and OWS in the current F lounge. That would leave the J lounge just to be used by Admirals Club members and I doubt there are that many of those passing through LHR who don't have at least AA platinum status (OWS).
What they've done at JFK (first station with new lounge concepts completed) is to massively expand the Flagship lounge floor space. They still have an Admirals Club too (I guess to accommodate paid lounge access as is the norm in the USA).
Haven't seen any plans for the new AA lounges at LHR but it wouldn't surprise me if they kept an Admirals Club to accommodate Admirals Club members.
Aug 6, 2017, 4:36 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 712
I popped in to the Flagship Lounge after staying in the CX. CX is definitely the place to go and relax, but Moet and a hot menu is still on offer at AA. Good to pick up a few more bits and pieces before heading off (the aforementioned sweets).
Wouldn't be averse to spending time there, but the CX Flounge and view is truly a wonderful place to be.
Wouldn't be averse to spending time there, but the CX Flounge and view is truly a wonderful place to be.
Aug 7, 2017, 12:25 am
#23
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,091
They basically almost never have candies at home, so a bit of them going on vacation would be a treat
Aug 7, 2017, 2:05 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
Here are some pictures for you from about 2 weeks ago. I liked the lounge - the dining room menu is small but the food is very nice. I had the lamb - recommended. Champagne is Moet.
I did write a full review for my blog as well. Most of the pictures are above... the other thing to mention is the fact that the lounge staff are really great. I think a visit is a must.
http://travelupdate.boardingarea.com...lounge-aa-lhr/
Cheers!
I did write a full review for my blog as well. Most of the pictures are above... the other thing to mention is the fact that the lounge staff are really great. I think a visit is a must.
http://travelupdate.boardingarea.com...lounge-aa-lhr/
Cheers!
Aug 7, 2017, 3:16 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
I never considered the AA Flagship lounge as a breakfast option as I normally head to GF on my rare visits to T3. I have an opportunity to try it out next month so thanks to FlightDetective and others who have highlighted this.
Aug 7, 2017, 3:26 am
#29
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA EXP
Posts: 1,140
Interesting post, and thank you for posting the reviews/pictures. It's years since I've been to the AA F lounge at T3, especially with the opening of the CX lounge (I've not been to the the BA one since that re-opened either).
For a bit of a change I think I'll try that one next time I fly from T3, and I have a few T3's coming up.
For a bit of a change I think I'll try that one next time I fly from T3, and I have a few T3's coming up.
Aug 7, 2017, 5:56 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
I never considered it either until I read somewhere a few comments from people saying the staff were great and the food pretty good. People were saying they had avoided it for ages and were pleasantly surprised by it.
The Moet on arrival as you walk in is a thing. The bucket of Champagne is by the door and as you enter someone offers you a glass. Later on when eating they offered me more.
Almost all the staff are from Rhubarb except the Manager Teresa who is AA. Really great people. I think you'll enjoy it. I was there at the end of the day though when it was very quiet - around 5pm.
The Moet on arrival as you walk in is a thing. The bucket of Champagne is by the door and as you enter someone offers you a glass. Later on when eating they offered me more.
Almost all the staff are from Rhubarb except the Manager Teresa who is AA. Really great people. I think you'll enjoy it. I was there at the end of the day though when it was very quiet - around 5pm.