Choosing to depart from T3 rather than T5 for the excellent lounges.
Dec 7, 2017, 7:04 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2015
Programs: BAEC Blue
Posts: 247
If my experience in early November is anything to go by, your quest has been a glorious success, subject2load. And I salute you. CX J was practically empty between 12pm and 2pm. Probably the most enjoyable lounge visit I've had in any airport to date.
Dec 7, 2017, 7:11 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Dec 7, 2017, 8:44 am
#22
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,129
Choosing to depart from T3 rather than T5 for the excellent lounges.
I am inclined think that I would. We are leaving from there in 2018 on BA F to YVR, I'm so glad it's not T5 as it would seem from reviews that in T3 the new QF lounge is great, as is the CX lounge, plus it has an F area to relax and dine in.
It's sad in a way that as LHR is BA's home base and it's Flagship lounges are, in many ways, inferior to these OW lounges in T3 Yes, CCR has it's advantages and it's "charm"! (we'll use it on our return). Of course, it's not possible to choose in most cases, however, given that we could choose on that occasion, I'm just interested to know if many others would do the same.
It's sad in a way that as LHR is BA's home base and it's Flagship lounges are, in many ways, inferior to these OW lounges in T3 Yes, CCR has it's advantages and it's "charm"! (we'll use it on our return). Of course, it's not possible to choose in most cases, however, given that we could choose on that occasion, I'm just interested to know if many others would do the same.
Dec 7, 2017, 9:05 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,106
T5 is indeed nearly 3 times larger than T3. There's a sign in LHR that says that T5B alone is bigger than Stansted, which I find hard to believe. However the walk distances are far greater in T3, 400 metres is typical in T3 and T5 shouldn't go much above 200m, I don't think it's quicker to get around compared to T5. And T3 is a lot more congested than T5, 18 million passengers a year compared to 32 million for T5, given there is only a third of the space.
Much more crowded, too, thanks to M.A.G.'s ancillary revenue ways, and walking distances in Stansted are made much greater by the winding paths through the shops and the crowds meaning one has to dodge sideways a lot to make decent speed towards one's destination.
Dec 7, 2017, 9:32 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
Programs: Hilton HHonors, BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,204
It was opened as a BA lounge for BA customers travelling in First class (plus a select few when CCR card was introduced in the mainstream), and not for OWE customers travelling in lower cabins to use. I know others who actually use the service may have different thoughts surrounding this, but I for one think BA restricting it's First product for usage by those travelling BA First makes sound common sense. Whilst the other lounges available may or may not be better than the CCR, I do not see the fact that they are open to all OWE cardholders a comparable plus point.
Dec 7, 2017, 9:46 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Highlands, Scotland
Programs: EK,BA,QR
Posts: 547
@offtothehills - your thread (well-intentioned though it is) is not exactly helping my personal quest to encourage as many people as possible to restrict themselves to the BA lounge at T3, thus protecting the CX and QF facilities from overcrowding 
More seriously, I see that Rob at headforpoints is also smitten by the new OW lounges, and his site currently features a piece about those BA destinations which provide an opportunity to try them by departing from T3.
Worth a read, and a useful addition to the info given in the CWS post already linked upthread.
Which British Airways flights use Heathrow Terminal 3?
More seriously, I see that Rob at headforpoints is also smitten by the new OW lounges, and his site currently features a piece about those BA destinations which provide an opportunity to try them by departing from T3.
Worth a read, and a useful addition to the info given in the CWS post already linked upthread.
Which British Airways flights use Heathrow Terminal 3?
... I would imagine though, that the same favour (although not really a favour, and not really freeloaders) would be returned at some point - when I travel via SYD or MEL with EK, I always use QF's F lounges - as I'm sure many on FT do, and it's great when it works out that we do have a good choice. I do agree with your quest though and hope that these lovely lounges stay quiet(ish).Interesting re HFP's blog on BA flights leaving from T3, thanks, must have a look at it.
Dec 7, 2017, 9:53 am
#26
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,072
Personally as a connecting passenger I really don't like the T5 to T3 schelp and I think T5 is a much better terminal overall, light and airy and not a myriad of corridors as is parts of T3. T5 is really easy when connecting from the regions and even if not the First Wing is excellent. I certainly wouldn't choose a flight based on what a lounge experience would be although I agree the CX lounge is very nice I agree and I've still to try the new QF lounge. YMMV as always though and horses for courses.
Dec 7, 2017, 9:56 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
For some of us, T3 is inevitable as flights to / from Las Vegas, Phoenix etc. leave from there and so there's no choice in the matter if we want to fly direct. As PETER01 states the main downside is the bus transfer to / from T5 when transferring to domestic flights. In terms of the slightly tongue in check comment about freeloaders all I would say to that is that the door swings both ways and there's absolutely nothing stopping eligible passengers from other carriers visiting the BA lounges in preference to their own. What is probably more pertinent is that a large percentage of those passengers aren't aware of the ability to visit other lounges. One of my colleagues who is based in Hong Kong and who mainly flies with CX had no idea that he was able to visit the Qantas or BA lounges in SIN (to take the most recent example of a trip we were on together) and was pleasantly surprised at the choice that was suddenly available to him!
Dec 7, 2017, 10:01 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Highlands, Scotland
Programs: EK,BA,QR
Posts: 547
Although I can't really comment on whether the CCR is better or worse than other lounges from a users point of view, I do wonder why the fact the CCR is not a Oneworld lounge would make it worse than CX/QF on that basis?
It was opened as a BA lounge for BA customers travelling in First class (plus a select few when CCR card was introduced in the mainstream), and not for OWE customers travelling in lower cabins to use. I know others who actually use the service may have different thoughts surrounding this, but I for one think BA restricting it's First product for usage by those travelling BA First makes sound common sense. Whilst the other lounges available may or may not be better than the CCR, I do not see the fact that they are open to all OWE cardholders a comparable plus point.
It was opened as a BA lounge for BA customers travelling in First class (plus a select few when CCR card was introduced in the mainstream), and not for OWE customers travelling in lower cabins to use. I know others who actually use the service may have different thoughts surrounding this, but I for one think BA restricting it's First product for usage by those travelling BA First makes sound common sense. Whilst the other lounges available may or may not be better than the CCR, I do not see the fact that they are open to all OWE cardholders a comparable plus point.
Dec 7, 2017, 10:05 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Meh
Posts: 2,594
Although I can't really comment on whether the CCR is better or worse than other lounges from a users point of view, I do wonder why the fact the CCR is not a Oneworld lounge would make it worse than CX/QF on that basis?
It was opened as a BA lounge for BA customers travelling in First class (plus a select few when CCR card was introduced in the mainstream), and not for OWE customers travelling in lower cabins to use. I know others who actually use the service may have different thoughts surrounding this, but I for one think BA restricting it's First product for usage by those travelling BA First makes sound common sense. Whilst the other lounges available may or may not be better than the CCR, I do not see the fact that they are open to all OWE cardholders a comparable plus point.
It was opened as a BA lounge for BA customers travelling in First class (plus a select few when CCR card was introduced in the mainstream), and not for OWE customers travelling in lower cabins to use. I know others who actually use the service may have different thoughts surrounding this, but I for one think BA restricting it's First product for usage by those travelling BA First makes sound common sense. Whilst the other lounges available may or may not be better than the CCR, I do not see the fact that they are open to all OWE cardholders a comparable plus point.
Dec 7, 2017, 10:05 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore - the hot, little red dot
Programs: BA, SQ
Posts: 861
While the new lounges are fab, I personally wouldn't go out of the way.
Having my office and hence free parking close to T5. A short 423 bus ride away T5 always wins with me for convenience. The lounges don't make up for the hassle taking a bus to the central bus station and walk.
That said long haul for me is now not BA unless using miles so again T3 is for airline in-flight product and not lounge. T3 lounges are the cherry on top of the cream cake.
Short haul T5 really works for me, but over Xmas I'm defecting to LH T2 but already dreading getting the ski equipment over to there...
Having my office and hence free parking close to T5. A short 423 bus ride away T5 always wins with me for convenience. The lounges don't make up for the hassle taking a bus to the central bus station and walk.
That said long haul for me is now not BA unless using miles so again T3 is for airline in-flight product and not lounge. T3 lounges are the cherry on top of the cream cake.
Short haul T5 really works for me, but over Xmas I'm defecting to LH T2 but already dreading getting the ski equipment over to there...