BA First from LHR Terminal 3 - How should I prepare
 

Hi all,

I'll be flying BA First for the first time soon. I'll be flying to MIA on the 747. I have already booked a spa treatment at Elemis. During this booking, I figured out that I will be flying from T3 in stead of T5, meaning I won't have access to the Concorde room. (Isn't that what you book BA First for in the first place anyway?). I have booked this flight using the Iberia 9000 avios offer from last summer.

There is an AA, CX and BA First lounge in T3 and CX seems to have the best offerings.

Are there experienced First flyers that would like to help me prepare my BA First experience to be the best?

Thanks!

I always head to the CX lounge now in T3. I only have access to the Business Lounge, but that is much better than the BA offering. So I assume the CX first lounge is excellent as well and I am sure others will be able to confirm this is the case.

You don't need to prepare! Enjoy the lounge offerings at T3 - you won't miss the CCR, it's pleasant enough, but you should enjoy the options available to you at T3. I prefer it now to T5

Give yourself plenty of time to lounge hop between Cathay, Qantas, BA and AA! The gin bar in the Qantas lounge is very pleasant!

I was in the CX lounge (business only) last week and can concur - it's superb. It was really quiet too.

Dont bother with AA - the only decent thing are the showers. BA is usual fare without the LPGS (there is an occasional bottle but rare) and i find the long narrow lounge quite gloomy. Qantas is good for the gin bar downstairs, the upstairs i find a bit too much like a hotel ballroom. Cathay First is def the best lounge and food (although they've recently changed the menu so no more eggs benedict for breakfast which is a total shame).

The Cathay First lounge is lovely, so definitely head there, you will be well looked after. It's certainly a nicer environment than the Concorde Room, the only downside is that they don't serve LGPS, but at least you'll be able to enjoy that on board.

With our inaugural T3 departure next Feb (BA, LHR-PHX, Club World), I assume similar advice applies ... head for the CX Lounge?

Hi,

yes it is.

will be doing that in 2.5 weeks when I am off to bcn enroute to hkg

regards

tbs

Cathay lounges all the way - Cathay First is lovely and quiet - it's a little under-stated and less visually impressive (very classy though) but I actually find it more relaxing than the Concorde Room. The food in the sit-down dining area is great - especially if you are there over breakfast/brunch the Oriental dim sum options are really good if you like that sort of thing

BA need to add a First Wing equivalent at T3 to complete the experience. But I don't think the lack of CCR is really a major downgrade on the First experience if you head to the Cathay lounge rather than the BA one.

My take:

CX: Best overall and best for food (also best for showering, should you plan to do so)
QF: Best for cocktails and lounging
BA: Best for wine selection
AA: Only good to do the passport check in case you have done OLCI

I leave up to you to choose in which order to experience them.

I agree that CX is the place to go - check out the business lounge as well as the F lounge there.

I happen to like the AA lounge too unlike most everybody - it has great broadband, Portlebay popcorn and big jars of sweeties with takeaway bags :D. So I'll usually dine in CX and then tootle over to AA to stock up for the flight.

I am well advised by the community, as usual. Thanks! ^

Just to clarify ... We're BA Gold, flying in CW. Does that still get access to the CX First lounge? Must check the Dashboard! Ah, BA Gold/OWE has access to OW First Lounges.

I was in the CX First twice this week. Great food & service. You also have views of 27L and Taxiway R.