Bad news - BA's NCL lounge reportedly to close permanently
#226
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,181
Unless things have changed I don't believe Aspire Plus has re-opened yet, and in any case I can't see BA paying for it even if it were.
#227
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, VS Silver, Marriott Ambassador, HH diamond IHG plat
Posts: 627
Yes club and silver/gold get to sample the delights of the aspire lounge, such as they are. Hot breakfast mind. Aspire plus closed last time I was there, and strange opening hours for aspire. Ncl really needs a better lounge for ba pax
#228
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Newcastle UK
Posts: 1,114
I'll be a little more blunt than I usually am on here. In my opinion the now closed BA lounge at NCL was the favourite part of my trips, as I live in NCL. Now after visiting Aspire I'm considering staying in the main terminal until boarding. Despite the very good staff, it's just no good. I don't understand why anyone would pay either if required. BA should listen, but unfortunately, increasingly they seem not to. Very sad.
#229
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: At home
Programs: BA
Posts: 283
I'll be a little more blunt than I usually am on here. In my opinion the now closed BA lounge at NCL was the favourite part of my trips, as I live in NCL. Now after visiting Aspire I'm considering staying in the main terminal until boarding. Despite the very good staff, it's just no good. I don't understand why anyone would pay either if required. BA should listen, but unfortunately, increasingly they seem not to. Very sad.
#230
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,859
I'll be a little more blunt than I usually am on here. In my opinion the now closed BA lounge at NCL was the favourite part of my trips, as I live in NCL. Now after visiting Aspire I'm considering staying in the main terminal until boarding. Despite the very good staff, it's just no good. I don't understand why anyone would pay either if required. BA should listen, but unfortunately, increasingly they seem not to. Very sad.
#231
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, VS Silver, Marriott Ambassador, HH diamond IHG plat
Posts: 627
Freepour spirits and daylight mainly for me. I’d probably stay upstairs more now, rather than sit in there. You could also see the boarding gate area and quickly finish your drink just as the queue had gone down. Club has been full the last few times I’ve gone from there. In the summer,aspire is going to be rammed so BA really have to do something else
#232
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 115
It is not a pleasant lounge - dingy, often overcrowded and simply not an enjoyable space to spend time in. It reminds me of the awful Concord Bunker in SIN. Closing the original lounge showed BAs lack of commitment to NCL, and I cant see the number of daily rotations (currently 3) ever returning to Pre-Covid levels (5)
#233
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: NCL
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 275
While many of us would love to be back in the BA lounge, at least on afternoon departures we won't be left to sit it out in the terminal.
Newcastle Airport have posted on Facebook today that Aspire opening hours are being extended.
From Monday, opening hours will be:
Monday: 0400-2000
Tuesday: 0400-1730
Wednesday: 0400-2000
Thursday: 0400-1730
Friday: 0400-2000
Saturday: 0400-1300
Sunday: 0400-2000
Newcastle Airport have posted on Facebook today that Aspire opening hours are being extended.
From Monday, opening hours will be:
Monday: 0400-2000
Tuesday: 0400-1730
Wednesday: 0400-2000
Thursday: 0400-1730
Friday: 0400-2000
Saturday: 0400-1300
Sunday: 0400-2000
#234
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Newcastle UK
Posts: 1,114
To answer your question though, there is no comparison. Others have since covered most of it, but here's my views on it.
1. No windows. No view. Very dingy.
2. Dark bland brown looking lounge.
3. Very poor choice of alcohol.
4. The old lounge was immediately at the usual
boaring gate.
As I've stated previously I'll probably not go into the lounge on my next trips. I'd rather stay in the main terminal.
#235
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,323
Sadly one of the fabulous staff died at Christmas a few years ago and it really did rip a big hole in the users from both regular passengers and staff alike.
Plus you werent ever turned away arriving 5 hours before your flight
Even though the staff worked for Baxter Storey they were proud of the NCL.BA lounge and all went out of their way to make peoples visits there enjoyable and comfortable.
#236
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,525
Has anyone had any experience of using the Samson Executive Jet terminal at NCL? Is this something you can buy into when flying scheduled or is it reserved exclusively for the private jet set?
#237
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,249
I feel that's true about most of the staff at LHR, even more so in the rare times I managed to get into the CCR!
#238
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: NCL
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 275
Aspire Plus was open yesterday evening, presumably for the Emirates departure. I was arriving so don't know if BA passengers will get access, or what the opening hours are.
#239
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,213
Just in the Aspire lounge now ahead of my flight down to LHR. Theres no longer any complimentary Prosecco, even for BA passengers. Apparently there was a change in policy a month ago.
#240
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Newcastle UK
Posts: 1,114
After my experiences the only reason I'll be using it is to get a quiet seat and a comfort break!