Bad news - BA's NCL lounge reportedly to close permanently
#346
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 177
I don’t think BA ever paid for the plus side, I think it was only used as extra capacity before the plus side officially reopened a few weeks ago.
#347
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Newcastle UK
Posts: 1,114
Having experienced this truly awful lounge a few times now, the main purpose of my visits will be a toilet break on the way to the gate. The last twice I've been in I self catered.
#348
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 115
The lounge toilets are often in a terrible state - the facilities in other public areas are cleaner and better maintained.
#349
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Newcastle UK
Posts: 1,114
Yes, you're quite correct. They were in a pretty bad state last time. If it's not too busy I'll self cater again. My own mini grey goose and my own 7 up Free from Boots. It's a sad departure from the old lounge.
#350
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,203
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/a...m=wetherspoons
Any news on the new lounge that was being built on the upper level? Last I heard it was on hold, but it's really needed unless Aspire have plans to expand into the old BA area.
#351
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 208
Checked in for BA1321 to LHR. Staff at check in directed us to the Aspire Lounge. Staff on the door at Aspire had to prompted at why I qualified to come in (Club - no status). No direction given to which side to go in, there are people sitting on the plus side.
My friend was on the same flight yesterday, again no status but Club and was directed into the Plus and it was only BA customers in there.
It’s not a zoo at the minute. (Im sure I can change that…)
It’s been a while since I’ve travelled but BA Club now have fast track security which we never used to.
My friend was on the same flight yesterday, again no status but Club and was directed into the Plus and it was only BA customers in there.
It’s not a zoo at the minute. (Im sure I can change that…)
It’s been a while since I’ve travelled but BA Club now have fast track security which we never used to.
#352
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: 63,365
Club has had Fast Track ever since NCL introduced Fast Track some 30 odd years ago. There used to be a sign in old area, but the staff always knew about it. What has changed is that BA is putting it on the boarding pass.
#353
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 208
Well I’m one of these that never knew about it until it’s been on the boarding pass….
#354
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 208
By about 5.15 the lounge got busy, lack of glasses for water and the food had been demolished.
#355
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 4
NCL had a visit from a couple of corporate BA staffers who travelled back down on the BA1329 with me yesterday. It seems like they were here Monday and Tuesday as they were comparing the two days.
They visited the lounge observing going ons. The lounge was particular busy, at the same time as a Jet2 bank and PP holders were turned away.
Interestingly they were taking photos of Gate 3 ahead of boarding e.g. the BA logos on the walls and discussing signage/branding. I noted one didn’t seem completely happy with the boarding process/queuing in the corridor and took exception to the M&M? vending machine in the seating area.
Hopefully some positive enhancements are on the horizon.
They visited the lounge observing going ons. The lounge was particular busy, at the same time as a Jet2 bank and PP holders were turned away.
Interestingly they were taking photos of Gate 3 ahead of boarding e.g. the BA logos on the walls and discussing signage/branding. I noted one didn’t seem completely happy with the boarding process/queuing in the corridor and took exception to the M&M? vending machine in the seating area.
Hopefully some positive enhancements are on the horizon.
#356
Join Date: Apr 2020
Programs: Exec Club
Posts: 18
Thrilled they are focusing on the important thing like being upset at M&M vending machines as opposed to....the schedule.
#357
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 208
I was on the inbound BA1328 yesterday, also outbound on the BA1321 last week. Is the jet bridge broken at gate 3? Both times it was stairs to the aircraft. Also from the glass windows on the domestic exit corridor the Plus side of the Aspire looked rather busy.
#358
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 68
I believe the jet bridge at gate 3 has been broken/ out if order for the past month or so (ar least that was what the CC were saying 2 weekends ago).
Opposite gate 3 itself. The rows of seating allow the boarding group segregation to work really well. It would be a shame if they got rid of that.
Opposite gate 3 itself. The rows of seating allow the boarding group segregation to work really well. It would be a shame if they got rid of that.
#359
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 208
There’s no sign of the priority group system from the back of the queue which is usually up to the initial door into that block of gates though.
#360
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,181
I suspect the corridor queueing for status and J pax was never an issue with the old lounge, as the first thing you came across when leaving the lounge was the priority queue.
Now unless you're in the know you don't know you can walk to the front (and even if you do, it seems a bit rude to do so).
Now unless you're in the know you don't know you can walk to the front (and even if you do, it seems a bit rude to do so).