Bad news - BA's NCL lounge reportedly to close permanently
#181
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 12
I flew last week for the first time since Feb 20 NCL to LHR and it is fair to say that I missed the lounge at the start of my trip. At its most basic it was just somewhere to relax, know you were near the gate and not have to worry about someone nicking your bag. At other times, it was a good start to a big holiday, decent drinks, the first acknowledgement that you were going somewhere exciting.
I walked past the old lounge and it is now an entirely empty space. I think this may affect the number of times that I fly domestic now that we are flying again. The train/plane decision always has competing factors at play.
I walked past the old lounge and it is now an entirely empty space. I think this may affect the number of times that I fly domestic now that we are flying again. The train/plane decision always has competing factors at play.
#182
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Up North
Programs: BA Gold , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
I flew last week for the first time since Feb 20 NCL to LHR and it is fair to say that I missed the lounge at the start of my trip. At its most basic it was just somewhere to relax, know you were near the gate and not have to worry about someone nicking your bag. At other times, it was a good start to a big holiday, decent drinks, the first acknowledgement that you were going somewhere exciting.
I walked past the old lounge and it is now an entirely empty space. I think this may affect the number of times that I fly domestic now that we are flying again. The train/plane decision always has competing factors at play.
I walked past the old lounge and it is now an entirely empty space. I think this may affect the number of times that I fly domestic now that we are flying again. The train/plane decision always has competing factors at play.
There was a suggestion recently that access was to be granted at the Aspire lounge for CE customers. This was showing on the OW lounge access guide but disappeared. Is access being granted does anybody know?
#183
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, BD Blue (RIP)
Posts: 1,951
The reopening date of Aspire was pushed back. Currently scheduled for next Monday (16 August) so I guess we will find out then!
#184
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London
Programs: *A G, OW S.
Posts: 996
I have been reasonably regular on the LHR-NCL route ever since British Midland pulled MME however now, with no lounge at NCL I'm reverting to MME on the Loganair service as my destination is always Durham. I do sometime use the train and that may become more normal if the Loganair frequencies don't work.
#185
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,214
The Aspire lounge is once again showing as an option for passengers on BA flights departing from NCL: https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=NCL
The reopening date is still apparently 16th August according to the Priority Pass website so it will be interesting to see if there's good news on that front next week.
The reopening date is still apparently 16th August according to the Priority Pass website so it will be interesting to see if there's good news on that front next week.
#186
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,687
Is the Aspire lounge generally open every day?
Had a quick Google for times, and it mentions "closed on Tues / Wed", but that could be out of date / Covid related etc.
Had a quick Google for times, and it mentions "closed on Tues / Wed", but that could be out of date / Covid related etc.
#187
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 739
Not sure what the exact opening times were pre-COVID but I used it on many occasions and it was open whenever I needed it. NCL had 4/5x KLM, 2/3x AF, 1x EK & 1x LH a day in March 2020 as well as all the holiday flights so plenty of demand for lounge services.
Last edited by tigertanaka; Aug 14, 2021 at 12:21 am
#188
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,367
Yes, pre Covid it was open every day, just Saturday evenings were closed from memory. The main customer was the Emirates flight just after lunch, when it would get quite busy, and they would always be open for that. So if this is confiirmed - as I think it is now - then Aspire will almost certainly have the lounge open for all BA flights, since Aspire / Collinson will want the revenue. The reason they were closed was because it was cheaper to furlough the staff than keep the location open for almost no customers. That equation is thankfully changing, and furlough itself is also ending in a few weeks. I guess you could argue that the New Normal can't sustain two (and planned three) lounges at NCL, and at least there will be one saved as a result of this.
Edit, how about this for a filing system. This is pre-pandemic working hours.even if my face is shadowed into it. So that AM for opening, PM for closing.
Edit, how about this for a filing system. This is pre-pandemic working hours.even if my face is shadowed into it. So that AM for opening, PM for closing.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Aug 14, 2021 at 12:48 am
#189
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,687
I've got a 7am flight this week, so will have a look to see if it's open.
#190
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Up North
Programs: BA Gold , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
This is what is currently showing on the Executive Lounges website:The Aspire Lounge at Newcastle Airport will reopen on Monday 16th August 2021 with measures in place throughout the lounge to keep our guests and staff safe, and with a temporarily reduced schedule of:
Monday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Friday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday
4:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday
4:00am - 1:00pm
Monday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Friday
4:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday
4:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday
4:00am - 1:00pm
#191
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Newcastle UK
Posts: 1,114
It will be interesting to see if it's access to the premium area. I hope it is. I used that Aspire lounge once a few years ago and it was a huge disappointment. They wouldn't serve me a vodka on the rocks. I apparently HAD to have a mixer. I've still never figured that one out!
#192
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 19
Accessed the Aspire lounge in NCL this morning as BA Club Europe. No signage or referral from check in desks, but popped in on the off chance. Amazing welcome. Staff confirmed Aspire Plus remains closed and the whole lounge is only open in the mornings with hours to be extended over time.
Hot food delivered at table, cold buffet self serve and bar is open.
Quiet at the moment but getting busier.
Hot food delivered at table, cold buffet self serve and bar is open.
Quiet at the moment but getting busier.
Last edited by GingerLord; Aug 16, 2021 at 4:06 am
#193
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,214
Great news GingerLord - thanks for the confirmation we now have an oasis of calm at NCL once again. Access of the basis of BA status means that the lottery of whether you'll be admitted on the basis of Priority Pass is removed from the equation.
#194
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Up North
Programs: BA Gold , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
Great news GingerLord - thanks for the confirmation we now have an oasis of calm at NCL once again. Access of the basis of BA status means that the lottery of whether you'll be admitted on the basis of Priority Pass is removed from the equation.
#195
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,214
The URL I posed earlier - https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=NCL - states that access is for passengers travelling in First and Business as well as Emerald and Sapphire tiers, so that would include BAEC Gold and Silver.