Airports in which you don't bother to use BA lounges
Sep 2, 2018, 1:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 756
Airports in which you don't bother to use BA lounges
I don't feel it's been a conscious decision, but increasingly I don't use BA's (or oneworld's or other partners') lounge offerings in terminals such as SFO International A or JNB International, whereas as at other terminals (GLA, JNB Domestic for example), I do. It depends on the state of the lounges on offer, but also what the public spaces are like. The various CCRs are an exception.
Out of curiosity, for those with BA lounge access, in which airports do you forego the BA/ow/partner lounge in favour of the public areas?
Out of curiosity, for those with BA lounge access, in which airports do you forego the BA/ow/partner lounge in favour of the public areas?
Sep 2, 2018, 1:55 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Scotland
Posts: 171
Cairo
Up until the new lounge opened recently anyway. It was a waste of time to go through to the First Class lounge and have to come back through security scanners again prior to heading to gate so I didn't use to bother
Up until the new lounge opened recently anyway. It was a waste of time to go through to the First Class lounge and have to come back through security scanners again prior to heading to gate so I didn't use to bother
Sep 2, 2018, 2:15 am
#3
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I can't imagine not using the BA lounge at JNB international. It's the evening, there's an overnight flight ahead of me, and often it's been hot or quite warm all day. Even if I only use the shower, I'm in there.
The same goes for most of my long-haul flights, as they are almost all similarly overnight. If a lounge with a shower is offered, it'll be used.
The same goes for most of my long-haul flights, as they are almost all similarly overnight. If a lounge with a shower is offered, it'll be used.
Sep 2, 2018, 2:16 am
#4
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I agree with most of the above examples. I avoided CAI too because of the multiple security screens. Re-JNB, for international flights, I'm still really sad we can't use the SLOW lounge instead of the rubbish BA one. I dislike SFO and often go just before boarding. I also don't even bother with the F area which is even more cramped and more full than the main area. There are several European outstations where I don't bother, and also several airports where I avoid the BA lounge in favour of an existing alternative be it OW or priority pass or Amex.
Sep 2, 2018, 2:35 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
I don't go to too many airports where BA actually has a lounge. The ones where i do have clearly better alternative offerings:
LHR T3 - CX
SIN - QF
I never used to bother with the BA lounge at HKG either and it would take something pretty special if they ever decided to reopen it.
LHR T3 - CX
SIN - QF
I never used to bother with the BA lounge at HKG either and it would take something pretty special if they ever decided to reopen it.
Sep 2, 2018, 2:42 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,985
If I have time to spare I will always go to the lounge even if it is grotty, because it's still better than being outside it. However if I have people to meet, shopping to do or something in particular that I want to eat, then I will do those things in favour of the lounge whichever airport I am in.
Sep 2, 2018, 2:47 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
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Posts: 6,112
I don't think I "forego the BA/ow/partner lounge in favour of the public areas" (which was the question in the first post) in any airports I go to often if I want to sit down somewhere and wait. At AMS and some other airports, I may seek food elsewhere because the food offering in the lounge is very meagre. I have never been to Cairo, so I can't say what I would do there.
I may well go to a different Oneworld lounge than the BA one, but that's not the question asked. Foregoing any lounge is a more interesting question than picking which lounge - which airports have public areas that are overall better than the lounge? (Cairo, as mentioned, due to security).
I may well go to a different Oneworld lounge than the BA one, but that's not the question asked. Foregoing any lounge is a more interesting question than picking which lounge - which airports have public areas that are overall better than the lounge? (Cairo, as mentioned, due to security).
Sep 2, 2018, 3:02 am
#9
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IST which is just dreadful. With the additional security screening I don’t know why they bother as you can’t spend more than a few minutes in there anyway.
Sep 2, 2018, 3:03 am
#10
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Glasgow and Asia
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hotels.com Gold
Posts: 510
Lhr t3 = cx
sin = qf
pek = cx (not a BA lounge but a really bad independent [BRS?] that BA push all customers to)
However, I always use a lounge over general areas or restaurants.
sin = qf
pek = cx (not a BA lounge but a really bad independent [BRS?] that BA push all customers to)
However, I always use a lounge over general areas or restaurants.
Last edited by GlasgowCyclops; Sep 2, 2018 at 7:04 am Reason: answering the Q?
Sep 2, 2018, 3:05 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: BA (GGL-GFL); AC (SE)
Posts: 57
It’s a good question. Lounges can be pretty depressing places and I’d often prefer to be in a public space. JNB is a good example. I tend to opt instead for the Mugg & Bean cafe/restaurant which is spacious and has views of the airfield.
Sep 2, 2018, 3:05 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 756
It might be that the public areas are outstanding, or that the hassle of getting to the lounge is not really worth it, or that the public areas are generally less crowded than the lounge, or that the lounges are really not looked after very well, or a combination of any of these and other points.
Sep 2, 2018, 3:09 am
#14
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,113
I don't feel it's been a conscious decision, but increasingly I don't use BA's (or oneworld's or other partners') lounge offerings in terminals such as SFO International A or JNB International, whereas as at other terminals (GLA, JNB Domestic for example), I do. It depends on the state of the lounges on offer, but also what the public spaces are like. The various CCRs are an exception.
Out of curiosity, for those with BA lounge access, in which airports do you forego the BA/ow/partner lounge in favour of the public areas?
Out of curiosity, for those with BA lounge access, in which airports do you forego the BA/ow/partner lounge in favour of the public areas?
I can have the "let's check the bookstore or another shop" moment, or going to the gate early because I'm always afraid to be late, but for me the convenience of a lounge is enough to exchange it for public areas, time permitting of course.