BA experience at Newcastle (NCL) - with a pure belta new lounge!
Dec 30, 2023, 4:12 am
#31
Join Date: May 2018
Location: BLQ 🇮🇹
Programs: BA GGL, Cartafreccia Oro
Posts: 197
I hope after this investment they place the same priority on hourly and daily cleaning. During COVID they were deep cleaned but unfortunately they still went back to how they were in a matter of months with regular use.
Just for reference, the lounge are not accepting priority pass at the moment. With reduced capacity it’s the first to drop.
Just for reference, the lounge are not accepting priority pass at the moment. With reduced capacity it’s the first to drop.
Priority Pass was being accepted on Wednesday evening so there’s still a chance you can get in if that’s the only means you have to qualify but as capacity is limited at the moment I can see why they might be denying access more
Dec 30, 2023, 4:50 am
#33
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 557
Really impressed with the new lounge space when I was there this morning at about 4:30. Front desk staff very friendly and justifiably proud of the new space and took the time to show everyone entering where the toilets, coffee and food station are. Still a little louder than the old BA lounge with some clientele determined to drink their £30 worth even at that hour of the morning, but overall a massive improvement for NCL travelers.
Also went through the new (and really quite smart looking) fast track and new scanners. Prepared for the worst based on comments about but it was very quiet this morning about five people in the queue. My bag was not pulled for secondary and I was well under ten minutes total from drop off to lounge including checking in a suitcase.
It’s been a rough couple of years flying BA out of NCL but thinking (hoping!) better days are ahead.
Also went through the new (and really quite smart looking) fast track and new scanners. Prepared for the worst based on comments about but it was very quiet this morning about five people in the queue. My bag was not pulled for secondary and I was well under ten minutes total from drop off to lounge including checking in a suitcase.
It’s been a rough couple of years flying BA out of NCL but thinking (hoping!) better days are ahead.
Dec 30, 2023, 5:39 am
#34
Join Date: May 2018
Location: BLQ 🇮🇹
Programs: BA GGL, Cartafreccia Oro
Posts: 197
Nice thing is once the work has finished the vast majority in the ‘business’ section of the lounge will be status/business class customers from BA, KL, etc. Those who are frequent travellers often have different lounge expectation to those who are flying away on an annual holiday.
I seem to recall in another forum people were calling us snobs saying look at the BA passengers moaning about having to share a lounge with passengers flying to Magaluf. But they were missing the point. I want those who are flying off on holiday to be able to enjoy themselves but I also want those who want a quieter experience to enjoy themselves. Once finished this lounge seems the perfect solution to this
I seem to recall in another forum people were calling us snobs saying look at the BA passengers moaning about having to share a lounge with passengers flying to Magaluf. But they were missing the point. I want those who are flying off on holiday to be able to enjoy themselves but I also want those who want a quieter experience to enjoy themselves. Once finished this lounge seems the perfect solution to this
Last edited by SaveECRewards; Dec 30, 2023 at 5:46 am
Dec 31, 2023, 2:53 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,228
Funny you ask this as one of the staff (whose name I can’t recall) was working at the baggage desk at the domestic baggage reclaim when I arrived at NCL on the 21st. I hadn’t seen her in ages but she clearly remembered me and it was good to have a quick chat with her while waiting for my daughter’s bags to arrive on the belt.
Dec 31, 2023, 4:11 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 1,431
Jan 2, 2024, 3:47 am
#39
Join Date: May 2018
Location: BLQ 🇮🇹
Programs: BA GGL, Cartafreccia Oro
Posts: 197
I believe that the Greggs in NCL is the only airport Greggs where you can pick up a stottie, therefore is the only proper Greggs at an airport 😁 For some reason I remember the Greggs at MAN T1 as the first place I used a contactless card
Jan 2, 2024, 3:57 am
#40
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Silver, IHG Gold
Posts: 454
Looking forward to trying the new lounge on Sunday! Has anyone had any issues with BA customers being turned away? I'm always conscious of third party lounges.
On an aside, as a quick flight up and back, I'm going economy, but I'm being "offered" a staggering £1,000 upgrade for the return flight to Club Europe!
On an aside, as a quick flight up and back, I'm going economy, but I'm being "offered" a staggering £1,000 upgrade for the return flight to Club Europe!
Jan 2, 2024, 4:06 am
#41
Join Date: May 2003
Location: DEL
Programs: Mucci du Miel d'Or
Posts: 2,376
Sounds great. As an optimist, I avoided this thread for a while, but glad to see NCL is now an attractive option. I was always pleased with my visits back in the days of the BA lounge.
As an optimist with OCD issues, I wonderd if the thread title might be updated, including to spread some sunshine to the BA board? : )
As an optimist with OCD issues, I wonderd if the thread title might be updated, including to spread some sunshine to the BA board? : )
Jan 2, 2024, 5:27 am
#42
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: 63,858
Even in the Dungeon Lounge, BA customers were not turned away. If it happened it would have been exceptional or the lounge was simply closed for the night. So there's no risk now, the simply restrict Priority Pass and walk-ups if they need to keep numbers down.
Jan 2, 2024, 5:29 am
#43
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: 63,858
I nearly did this with the 1 January refresh - or rather started with a new thread to represent the chapter change here. Any views from the NCL regulars ? I guess it would start with the photos in post 482.
Jan 2, 2024, 5:58 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum, FlyingBlue Gold, Hilton Gold, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 2,532