Vote for the worst and best lounge
Mar 15, 2019, 3:45 pm
#91
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: AUS, GVA, and in between
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 178
Putting aside the likes of Abuja...
My experience with BA's lounges is rather limited honestly - I'm generally in AA ones. I find the BA lounge in Geneva to be surprisingly sub-par, given the clientele I assume it attracts. For my favorite, I might go out on a limb and choose the T3 Flounge for the quiet.
My experience with BA's lounges is rather limited honestly - I'm generally in AA ones. I find the BA lounge in Geneva to be surprisingly sub-par, given the clientele I assume it attracts. For my favorite, I might go out on a limb and choose the T3 Flounge for the quiet.
Mar 15, 2019, 8:48 pm
#92
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 5
I Don't have the widest experience but from the ones I have been in:-
Best- Virgin LHR clubhouse
Worst - Bangkok Airlines - Luang Prabang (admittedly, free for all passengers and better than the terminal (This was before the new terminal opened five or so years ago) Bangkok airlines are fantastic however so I wont knock them for the free lounge.
Best- Virgin LHR clubhouse
Worst - Bangkok Airlines - Luang Prabang (admittedly, free for all passengers and better than the terminal (This was before the new terminal opened five or so years ago) Bangkok airlines are fantastic however so I wont knock them for the free lounge.
Mar 15, 2019, 10:04 pm
#93
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Cambridge UK
Programs: BA silver,
Posts: 254
Flying PEN to HKG today I was disappointed about the negative reviews above. I can only assume they refer to the old MH lounge from years ago. Now sitting in the Cathay lounge and it is perfectly adequate with friendly staff. Not really a lounge but my vote for one of the best places to wait for a flight is the cafe overlooking the beach at Barra airport. Walkout to the plane and not even security scanning anymore. Just like the good old days of flying!
Mar 16, 2019, 12:06 am
#94
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Reading, UK
Programs: SK EBS / BA Silver / BMI Gold / KLM Silver
Posts: 93
My current predicament is a soft landing to Bronze, and primarily short haul Europe - but very frequently (Silver again soon). So I've got Priority Pass.
BEST so far: Rome PP lounge next to BAs - considerably larger and better product than BAs. Some may argue that's as it should be for a paid lounge. Fabulous shower rooms included. Cook to order kitchen plus buffet Plenty of space and views.
WORST so far: LHR T5. Very sadly as its my home airport. Pokey, very crowded, very limited food offer. Pop in, grab a bite, sit outside in the terminal.
Would be interested in views on best PP lounge on the BA network?
BEST so far: Rome PP lounge next to BAs - considerably larger and better product than BAs. Some may argue that's as it should be for a paid lounge. Fabulous shower rooms included. Cook to order kitchen plus buffet Plenty of space and views.
WORST so far: LHR T5. Very sadly as its my home airport. Pokey, very crowded, very limited food offer. Pop in, grab a bite, sit outside in the terminal.
Would be interested in views on best PP lounge on the BA network?
Mar 16, 2019, 5:15 am
#96
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 592
MAN, always quiet, excellent views, friendly staff. T5B at LHR clear winner in T5 so far. Gin bar was shut in QF T3 when I went there, so did CX instead, very nice.
PHX " The Club" was in a very small room, food almost none existent, barman v helpful though.
PHX " The Club" was in a very small room, food almost none existent, barman v helpful though.
Mar 16, 2019, 5:32 am
#97
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Under the Heathrow flightpath
Programs: BA, Virgin, Emirates, SAA, Kenya Airways, Hilton, Radisson, IHG group
Posts: 20
I find JNB and CPT a bit of a mare because they are really too small/too hot for the number of people.
BA at DXB, given how impressive the Emirates lounges are, really leaves something to be desired.
Good ones, Hong Kong, Gatwick, Entebbe (no longer fly there direct but it was a brilliant lounge, positioned looking directly over the runway)
BA at DXB, given how impressive the Emirates lounges are, really leaves something to be desired.
Good ones, Hong Kong, Gatwick, Entebbe (no longer fly there direct but it was a brilliant lounge, positioned looking directly over the runway)
Mar 16, 2019, 8:16 am
#98
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Programs: HH D, Rad VIP, Marriott G
Posts: 5,355
Best lounge: one that I can enter when I would like to use it and is quiet, receives natural daylight and ideally has some fresh air (so terrace or outside area that is not air conditioned to my inconvenience), is not crowded, has plenty of (varying) seating options (so not just tables with canteen style chairs), has some food and drink options and ideally with another person (that I like) with which to share/appreciate the travel experience with, regardless of brand or location. I could stretch my definition to include some very small regional airport departure areas which as they were not busy and were pleasant, they were enjoyable. ^
Worst lounge: one I can't enter for whatever reason (including not having status, not having the card with me, not flying in that class) when I'd desperately love to in order to escape the crowds, the noise, and/or people face timing or yelling into mobiles.
Or instead of access issues, on an 'I'll take a look and leave again' basis, the usual dark room with no natural light or potentially worse, lit up very brightly with harsh direct lighting and is in a basement somewhere that is cramped, too hot/cold, has several people talking loudly, has a TV tuned to a channel no one is listening to at too loud a volume setting and the food looks like it is the remains of a student convention 5 minutes before closing and finally with some drinks but the choice being so vulgar in quality one would rather pass...
Been to plenty of the first category, stood in front of plenty of the second and left many of the last.
The best ones are ones that have pleasantly surprised me and put me at ease for the remainder of my journey!
Safe travels everyone.
Worst lounge: one I can't enter for whatever reason (including not having status, not having the card with me, not flying in that class) when I'd desperately love to in order to escape the crowds, the noise, and/or people face timing or yelling into mobiles.
Or instead of access issues, on an 'I'll take a look and leave again' basis, the usual dark room with no natural light or potentially worse, lit up very brightly with harsh direct lighting and is in a basement somewhere that is cramped, too hot/cold, has several people talking loudly, has a TV tuned to a channel no one is listening to at too loud a volume setting and the food looks like it is the remains of a student convention 5 minutes before closing and finally with some drinks but the choice being so vulgar in quality one would rather pass...
Been to plenty of the first category, stood in front of plenty of the second and left many of the last.
The best ones are ones that have pleasantly surprised me and put me at ease for the remainder of my journey!
Safe travels everyone.
Mar 16, 2019, 4:52 pm
#99
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
The DXB lounge is very much better than the old one (food quantity and quality in particular and also a F section) that I have to state this here. While I am also sure that it is far less impressive than the EK lounges, EK should be amazing at their home airport,
Mar 16, 2019, 6:48 pm
#100
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: LHR
Programs: BA GGL, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 375
Best BA/OW:
Other mentions for the EY first lounge at AUH much prefer it to the EK DXB first experience, the Skyteam lounge at LHR T4 has awesome showers and decent food. The SATS lounge at T2 SIN is a massive disappointment
- Big soft spot for the MEL F lounge. Staff are always awesome.
- BA SIN Lounge for the very good showers and staff.
- GIB for the outdoor terrace and view.
- MH First lounge at KUL - Quiet and lovely staff
- BHD - Excellent for a small airport
- BEY - The one BA use. Tiny, horrible food.
- SYD J Lounge - Rammed and dirty whenever I've been
- PEN Domestic (MH) - Windowless room with rubbish food/drink
- MCT - The old terminal. Now replaced by the new terminal.
Other mentions for the EY first lounge at AUH much prefer it to the EK DXB first experience, the Skyteam lounge at LHR T4 has awesome showers and decent food. The SATS lounge at T2 SIN is a massive disappointment
Mar 16, 2019, 6:54 pm
#101
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
Mar 16, 2019, 9:24 pm
#102
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
In terms of utility, I really like the BA T5 B gate GC. It's usually quiet-ish, and there is a big table accommodating a lot of people which reduces the likelihood of not being able to find somewhere to sit.
Non-OW, I really like the SQ Private Room in SIN. Never, ever crowded, very spacious, and good food.
The only gripes is that the loo flush is really loud and if you sit anywhere near the loo, you can her it! It sounds like the thunder.
The worst... It used to be CX lounge at CDG in the old days before the new lounge was set up. Quite frequently the only food available was pot noodles, and there were far too many people loudly guzzling it (I don't like eating noises). Yet nowadays the new one there is one of the better lounges. The AF one that BA used to use there used to be really bad - the only item available with calories was sugar cubes. No, really... no food in other words.
OTP before the terminal refurb used to be one of the worst too. There was essentially no food there but crisps and wafers. The new one still only has crisps and wafers (actually they now have yoghurt as well) but at least the environment is a lot better.
Someone complaining about DBV, trust me, that's a BIG improvement compared to the old the DBV lounge!
Non-OW, I very much dislike almost any ANA business lounges. They often do not have enough seats, and a lot of people's behaviour at the buffet leaves a lot to be desired (far more so than JL lounges), and the food barely changes through the year.
I think the problem is the sheer number of passengers entitled to use the ANA, JL, BA, QF lounges etc.
LH First Class terminal and CCR do not get so crowded because of the small number of non-F passengers who are entitled to use it. SQ Private Room never gets crowded for a very good reason.
It's all about the capacity matching the number of users who are entitled to use it, or not.
I don't bother with it. I go through security late-ish and go straight to the gate. There is often nowhere to sit at that lounge, but generally plenty of seats at the gate.
The staff members there (and BA check-in at SIN) are delightful!! The shower lady is really lovely too.
Non-OW, I really like the SQ Private Room in SIN. Never, ever crowded, very spacious, and good food.
The only gripes is that the loo flush is really loud and if you sit anywhere near the loo, you can her it! It sounds like the thunder.
The worst... It used to be CX lounge at CDG in the old days before the new lounge was set up. Quite frequently the only food available was pot noodles, and there were far too many people loudly guzzling it (I don't like eating noises). Yet nowadays the new one there is one of the better lounges. The AF one that BA used to use there used to be really bad - the only item available with calories was sugar cubes. No, really... no food in other words.
OTP before the terminal refurb used to be one of the worst too. There was essentially no food there but crisps and wafers. The new one still only has crisps and wafers (actually they now have yoghurt as well) but at least the environment is a lot better.
Someone complaining about DBV, trust me, that's a BIG improvement compared to the old the DBV lounge!
Non-OW, I very much dislike almost any ANA business lounges. They often do not have enough seats, and a lot of people's behaviour at the buffet leaves a lot to be desired (far more so than JL lounges), and the food barely changes through the year.
Both ANA and JAL allow passengers into the first class lounges bases on status ANA for their own Diamond members, JAL for Emerald members. You will also find the horror of having non first class passengers in the Cathay Pacific first class lounges, Qantas first class lounges, BA Galleries F in T3 (Galleries F in T5 is really an Emerald lounge) and quite a few others Even the famed Lufthansa First Class terminal will see HON Circle members in economy class and business being let in. 
LH First Class terminal and CCR do not get so crowded because of the small number of non-F passengers who are entitled to use it. SQ Private Room never gets crowded for a very good reason.
It's all about the capacity matching the number of users who are entitled to use it, or not.
I don't bother with it. I go through security late-ish and go straight to the gate. There is often nowhere to sit at that lounge, but generally plenty of seats at the gate.
The staff members there (and BA check-in at SIN) are delightful!! The shower lady is really lovely too.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Mar 16, 2019 at 10:09 pm
Mar 16, 2019, 10:00 pm
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,154
In terms of utility, I really like the BA T5 B gate GC. It's usually quiet-ish, and there is a big table accommodating a lot of people which reduces the likelihood of not being able to find somewhere to sit.
I think the problem is the sheer number of passengers entitled to use the ANA, JL, BA, QF lounges etc.
LH First Class terminal and CCR do not get so crowded because of the small number of non-F passengers who are entitled to use it. SQ Private Room never gets crowded for a very good reason.
It's all about the capacity matching the number of users who are entitled to use it, or not.
I don't bother with it. I go through security late-ish and go straight to the gate. There is often nowhere to sit at that lounge, but generally plenty of seats at the gate.
I also very much dislike almost any ANA business lounges. They often do not have enough seats, and a lot of people's behaviour at the buffet leaves a lot to be desired (far more so than JL lounges), and the food barely changes through the year.
I think the problem is the sheer number of passengers entitled to use the ANA, JL, BA, QF lounges etc.
LH First Class terminal and CCR do not get so crowded because of the small number of non-F passengers who are entitled to use it. SQ Private Room never gets crowded for a very good reason.
It's all about the capacity matching the number of users who are entitled to use it, or not.
I don't bother with it. I go through security late-ish and go straight to the gate. There is often nowhere to sit at that lounge, but generally plenty of seats at the gate.
I also very much dislike almost any ANA business lounges. They often do not have enough seats, and a lot of people's behaviour at the buffet leaves a lot to be desired (far more so than JL lounges), and the food barely changes through the year.
Yeah the behaviour at buffets leaves somewhat to be improved in the ANA lounges. Though not as bad as some of the food stations in the TK lounge in Istanbul, you'd be excused for thinking people had not seen food in weeks.
For those reasons the ANA lounge rank pretty low on my list of preferred lounges. The Galleries F in T3 probably ranks the lowest (of airline hub lounges, contract lounges is another story), I appreciate that it is relatively quiet, but as I usually came for the late JAL flight, I always wondered if they ever cleaned anything during the day. Cathay and Qantas have now spared me going there again.
My top lounge is hard to put, I like the Frankfurt F terminal, but apart from the seclusion and the Porsche ride to the plane I find it less appealing than it could be. The Al Safwa lounge is very nice, but it is almost eerily quiet these days, and the menu seems to have taken a dive since the beginning, though the sleeping rooms are a big plus. One of my absolute favourite lounge services is the shoeshine service in the JAL F lounges. But especially in Narita they need far more space in the main building lounge to make it less of a crush Will be interesting to see what they come up with after the renovation, though I don't have too high hopes.