corfe mixture

I think you are missing the point. This started life as a seven / eight month project.


Months after it was due to be completed it was still slipping month on month.


Now twelve months after the project started, and as it approaches an overrun almost equal to the original projected duration of the work the rate of slip in projected completion date has apparently increased by a further two months (or if you wish 25% of the originally projected duration of the contract).


OK, sunk costs are sunk costs and by now they will be looking at value versus cost to completion rather than overall project value, but with the estimated time to completion growing they are clearly not seeing the end getting any closer this has all the hallmarks of a project facing cancellation.


With other lounges available to Cathay clients and costs clearly out of control, the only thing saving this project is, without doubt, the commitment to protecting their reputation for service.


However, if outside forces have taken the matter out of Cathay's control, as an earlier - and apparently well informed poster, has suggested, then pulling the plug on the project and going in with Qantas on their new lounge, which is scheduled to open in March, might turn out to be their best, and perhaps only, option.

mosburger

Agree on this, have always felt they try their best at LHR.

sxc

I guess November 6 has come and gone while the lounge is still closed?

:D!

They are doing something in the area where the LHR lounge is, right?

LGW doesn't really need a CX lounge until (unless) they increase to >7 flights/week. BA lounge will be moving to South Terminal soon anyway.

Travelguym

[QUOTE=!;27447343]They are doing something in the area where the LHR lounge is, right?

Apparently it is all very quiet in the area and has been for sometime.

sxc

A poster in the BA forum who usually has very reliable information about anything BA and LHR related suggests there is a major structural problem with the CX lounge:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...l#post27444667

corporate-wage-slave

Gosh, do you mean me? And there are other forums apart from BA?

What I heard - via HAL - was that Cathay had come up with a clear design and plan for the new lounge but shortly after starting a series of structural issues (major wasn't the word I heard) meant that to complete the design other unexpected activities would have to take place first. Furthermore the workforce needed for the work, and who need clearance, weren't scheduled to be available for the revised timescale. Now that is lacking in specifics, but in the speculation arena, the T3 building in this area is quite old and it wouldn't surprise me if some unexpected electrical, plumbing and/or structural support issue(s) was/were uncovered. Or perhaps asbestos. But that's in the speculation territory. I went past the area the other day and there was definitely work ongoing, though traditionally most construction work inside LHR takes place between 21 hrs and 04:00 hrs.

sxc

Yes - and thank you for breaching quarantine and coming over here. Welcome!

This would explain why most people who pass the area are saying they don't hear any construction work.

Thanks for the update, and it doesn't sound good for completing this lounge soon!

stimpy

Yes thanks for the news, but this could also lead to speculation of a redesign of the layout.

:D!

Hmm so basically seems like no chance it will be ready for my flight at the end of Nov. Currently need to book another HK trip early 2017 but want to time it with a visit to this new lounge if possible... don't know when to go

Petrus

Shame, was hoping to bring the wife there late this month for some Won Ton soup and a glass of bubbly. BA/AA will have to do I guess.

Camoplast777

anybody who can advise me which of the lounges that is available for a business class ticket flyer in terminal 3 that would be prefered i am flying to hong kong, i am looking for some alcoholic beverage champagne and some nice snack just for a max hour

anyone can help me ? with a advice

sxc

Have a look at the WIKI at the top of the page, and there are links to reviews of the lounges in T3.

delfindo

Flew LGW-HKG on Monday. J/FF are sent to No1 Lounge, which is packed, but very friendly and accommodating. Check in agent said CX may invest in a LGW lounge after service goes daily. Staff appear to be CX-employed so I asked about LHR lounge, no date of opening advised by local CX management. A350 was fantastic, and this will be my preferred CX flight - once BA opens up its F lounge, can't think of a better way to get to HK.

HKGglobaltrotter

Just flew out of LHR yesterday. Check in agent said no confirmed date on the lounge opening yet. She said there are some CX office guys from Hong Kong currently in London trying to resolve things, hopefully it won't be too long to go.

As an aside, I visited both BA Gallery First and AA Flagship lounges. I took CX252 the mid morning flight, BA lounge was way busier than AA. In terms of the F&B buffet spread for the morning session, they were more or less than same as both offer limited a la carte breakfast menu. BA did have Henriot rose champagne in addition to the regular Brut whilst AA Flagship has Moet Brut only.

Both lounges are sub-par compared to the new CX lounge concept so let's hope the new lounge will be reopened soon!