Nov 19, 2015, 7:17 pm
Last edit by: Jermyn
Reviews of the NEW T3 lounges:
First Class
Reviews of other T3 lounges:
http://www.headforpoints.com/2015/11/25/review-american-airlines-lounge-london-heathrow-terminal-3/
http://jarvismarcos.com/2016/08/the-lounges-of-lhr-t3-ek-cx-and-ba-sept-2014/
Temporary closure of Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Heathrow Airport
As part of our ongoing commitment to enhance our passenger experience, the Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Terminal 3, Heathrow Airport, London will be temporarily closed from 26 November 2015 to June 2016 for expansion and renovation.
During this period, we would like to invite Silver, Gold and Diamond members of the Marco Polo Club as well as passengers travelling in First and Business Class to use the lounges of our partner airlines. All lounge invitations will be arranged for you upon check-in.
Reflecting our “Life Well Travelled” philosophy and our principle of considered design, this renovation follows updates to Cathay Pacific lounges in Tokyo (Haneda), Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taipei. With the addition of London, we look forward to providing you with an enhanced experience in the near future.
First Class
Reviews of other T3 lounges:
http://www.headforpoints.com/2015/11/25/review-american-airlines-lounge-london-heathrow-terminal-3/
http://jarvismarcos.com/2016/08/the-lounges-of-lhr-t3-ek-cx-and-ba-sept-2014/
Temporary closure of Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Heathrow Airport
As part of our ongoing commitment to enhance our passenger experience, the Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Terminal 3, Heathrow Airport, London will be temporarily closed from 26 November 2015 to June 2016 for expansion and renovation.
During this period, we would like to invite Silver, Gold and Diamond members of the Marco Polo Club as well as passengers travelling in First and Business Class to use the lounges of our partner airlines. All lounge invitations will be arranged for you upon check-in.
Reflecting our “Life Well Travelled” philosophy and our principle of considered design, this renovation follows updates to Cathay Pacific lounges in Tokyo (Haneda), Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taipei. With the addition of London, we look forward to providing you with an enhanced experience in the near future.
New London Heathrow LHR lounge (Now Open)
Oct 20, 2016, 11:00 pm
#181
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA Gold Guest List, Concorde Room Card, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 728
Oct 21, 2016, 12:32 am
#182
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: BA
Posts: 19
I phoned and asked them yesterday.
They don't yet have a forecast date and I was offered no information than 'We will post the information on the website'.
When I asked the more specific question of whether or not if it would be open by the 30th November when I am booked to travel, the answer was 'We don't yet know. You will need to check on the website nearer the date'.
It didn't sound at all hopeful and I am guessing they don't have a clue when it might open.
As a result I am starting to think about which will be the best alternative if it is still not open by the end of November.
BA Galleries or AA Admirals Club (at Cathay's invitation)
or even No1 Traveller (I get access to this independent of Cathay).
Oct 21, 2016, 6:55 am
#183
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 22
Very poor indeed. Someone somewhere knows when the darn lounge will be complete.
This is a integral part of the business class experience, to enjoy the lounge prior to a long haul flight and to be farmed out to a substandard alternative is not very satisfactory!
This is a integral part of the business class experience, to enjoy the lounge prior to a long haul flight and to be farmed out to a substandard alternative is not very satisfactory!
Oct 21, 2016, 9:49 am
#184
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
I got a LHR trip in mid Nov and scheduled to return from LHR on Nov 16. Uh oh! Doesn't look like it will be ready by then 
But seriously, ONE WHOLE YEAR to renovate a lounge of that size!!!??? Gosh...talking about efficiency or the apparent lack of!!!
But seriously, ONE WHOLE YEAR to renovate a lounge of that size!!!??? Gosh...talking about efficiency or the apparent lack of!!!
Oct 21, 2016, 3:57 pm
#185
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,844
There are (hopefully understandably) limits on what I can share and what I am comfortable sharing, but certainly not all blame for these delays (and arguably not much of it) can be laid at CX's feet.
Yes, 'project management' should play a role in anticipating and factoring in certain delays, but reflect on CX's track record with its other lounges: the HKG ones have run pretty well on schedule (barring a little extra time for The Pier J due to training up staff for new service propositions) and if I recall, the other outstation lounges (HND, BKK, MNL etc) have also been relatively trouble-free.
Yes, this time at LHR we're talking about a much bigger project and with two lounges, but I'd reflect on CX's previous run of lounges and suggest that the core issue may very not be a CX one.
Yes, 'project management' should play a role in anticipating and factoring in certain delays, but reflect on CX's track record with its other lounges: the HKG ones have run pretty well on schedule (barring a little extra time for The Pier J due to training up staff for new service propositions) and if I recall, the other outstation lounges (HND, BKK, MNL etc) have also been relatively trouble-free.
Yes, this time at LHR we're talking about a much bigger project and with two lounges, but I'd reflect on CX's previous run of lounges and suggest that the core issue may very not be a CX one.
Oct 21, 2016, 4:02 pm
#186
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,945
There are (hopefully understandably) limits on what I can share and what I am comfortable sharing, but certainly not all blame for these delays (and arguably not much of it) can be laid at CX's feet.
Yes, 'project management' should play a role in anticipating and factoring in certain delays, but reflect on CX's track record with its other lounges: the HKG ones have run pretty well on schedule (barring a little extra time for The Pier J due to training up staff for new service propositions) and if I recall, the other outstation lounges (HND, BKK, MNL etc) have also been relatively trouble-free.
Yes, this time at LHR we're talking about a much bigger project and with two lounges, but I'd reflect on CX's previous run of lounges and suggest that the core issue may very not be a CX one.
Yes, 'project management' should play a role in anticipating and factoring in certain delays, but reflect on CX's track record with its other lounges: the HKG ones have run pretty well on schedule (barring a little extra time for The Pier J due to training up staff for new service propositions) and if I recall, the other outstation lounges (HND, BKK, MNL etc) have also been relatively trouble-free.
Yes, this time at LHR we're talking about a much bigger project and with two lounges, but I'd reflect on CX's previous run of lounges and suggest that the core issue may very not be a CX one.
Oct 22, 2016, 5:58 am
#187
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 22
I can understand a overrun of a few days, maybe a couple of weeks but not six months !!
totally unacceptable.
Cathay should come clean and let customer know why the delay is happening and when the lounge will finally be open.
I for one don't want to go to the crappy AA lounge...
totally unacceptable.
Cathay should come clean and let customer know why the delay is happening and when the lounge will finally be open.
I for one don't want to go to the crappy AA lounge...
Oct 22, 2016, 6:54 pm
#188
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
There are (hopefully understandably) limits on what I can share and what I am comfortable sharing, but certainly not all blame for these delays (and arguably not much of it) can be laid at CX's feet.
Yes, 'project management' should play a role in anticipating and factoring in certain delays, but reflect on CX's track record with its other lounges: the HKG ones have run pretty well on schedule (barring a little extra time for The Pier J due to training up staff for new service propositions) and if I recall, the other outstation lounges (HND, BKK, MNL etc) have also been relatively trouble-free.
Yes, this time at LHR we're talking about a much bigger project and with two lounges, but I'd reflect on CX's previous run of lounges and suggest that the core issue may very not be a CX one.
Yes, 'project management' should play a role in anticipating and factoring in certain delays, but reflect on CX's track record with its other lounges: the HKG ones have run pretty well on schedule (barring a little extra time for The Pier J due to training up staff for new service propositions) and if I recall, the other outstation lounges (HND, BKK, MNL etc) have also been relatively trouble-free.
Yes, this time at LHR we're talking about a much bigger project and with two lounges, but I'd reflect on CX's previous run of lounges and suggest that the core issue may very not be a CX one.
BKK and YVR were late, and that was before the shambles of The Pier renovation.
Then there's the A350 mess.
CX just don't seem to be very good at project management.
Oct 23, 2016, 3:24 pm
#189
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I'm sure the delay has nothing to do with labor or construction and everything to do with regulatory permits, relationship with the airport (possible rent dispute) and other things in the legal realm.
Oct 24, 2016, 7:34 am
#190
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Etihad
Posts: 3
My first post!
I have followed and read this site with interest for many years.
Cathay has given a little more detail as to the delay, but still with no opening date.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...nge-reopening/
It seems the date for opening is a long way off! Has anyone been past recently.
I have followed and read this site with interest for many years.
Cathay has given a little more detail as to the delay, but still with no opening date.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...nge-reopening/
It seems the date for opening is a long way off! Has anyone been past recently.
Oct 24, 2016, 9:26 am
#191
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bangkok / London
Programs: BA Silver, AmEx Platinum, AVIS Presidents Club, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,106
My first post!
Cathay has given a little more detail as to the delay, but still with no opening date.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...nge-reopening/
It seems the date for opening is a long way off! Has anyone been past recently.
Cathay has given a little more detail as to the delay, but still with no opening date.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...nge-reopening/
It seems the date for opening is a long way off! Has anyone been past recently.
Oct 24, 2016, 9:33 am
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
My first post!
I have followed and read this site with interest for many years.
Cathay has given a little more detail as to the delay, but still with no opening date.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...nge-reopening/
It seems the date for opening is a long way off! Has anyone been past recently.
I have followed and read this site with interest for many years.
Cathay has given a little more detail as to the delay, but still with no opening date.
https://www.businesstraveller.com/bu...nge-reopening/
It seems the date for opening is a long way off! Has anyone been past recently.
A key point in the quote in that link is "design and safety specifications are met"
I wonder if the first design was accepted and work began and then some UK safety inspector came along and said "No, redo everything". Such things have been known to happen.
Oct 24, 2016, 4:23 pm
#194
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,520
Thanks for sharing the link!
Oct 24, 2016, 4:26 pm
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,156
Concerns over design and safety specifications...
Berlin Brandenburg Airport anyone?
Berlin Brandenburg Airport anyone?