Yes. They are using it now and enough of BA has moved out that CO has the gates they need to operate. BA's delay of vacating may delay the SkyTeam lounge build-out, assuming it is going in the space currently occupied by the BA lounge.

Well, if the SkyTeam lounge move into the space currently used by BA KGS can choose to either continue operating it as a contract lounge or abandon it for the SkyTeam lounge. Since most of the contract admits are non-SkyTeam it wouldn't surprise me if they keep it open for a while to see if the demand remains.

The CO arrivals lounge remains open, albeit in the other terminal. The reasoning was that you had to transit terminals to get to the train anyways, so it doesn't matter.

Has anyone here flown into LHR in the past two weeks and can provide an update on what they were offered for Arrivals?

I'll be flying into LHR in a month, needless to say I'm somewhat disappointed in this downgrade in service compared to when I flew into LGW last summer ... I really don't understand what is so great about LHR over LGW, they're both a short train ride from the city ...

Flew in to LHR this morning. The Yotel is indeed being used as the arrivals lounge. Seems that you may actually need to follow the web instructions and let the BF Concierge know before you board. I asked at EWR and he put my name, "on the list."

Upon arrival in LHR, the person greeting the flight (whom I thought was the concierge) seemed unsure. When I asked about the arrivals lounge, he said that he, "believed" I should go to the Yotel.

When I arrived at the Yotel (about 10 min later - no lines at immigration - IRIS scanner was not working), a CO rep arrived at the same time with the, "list" of people from the flight who were expected. I was not asked for my BP, just my name, which was checked against the list.

Now... as to the Yotel... I was not at all impressed. In fact, should I plan on traveling BF with my spouse on a redeye, I'd either go to LGW or take a different airline.

What you get at the Yotel:

1. A bed
2. A TV
3. Wired internet (I assume for a fee)
4. A telephone
5. A very, small bathroom, sink shower. Not possible to shower without contacting the shower curtain, and sink.
6. A liquid soap dispenser with a very liquidy soap.
7. 2 towels
8. A glass
9. Dim lighting

There is food, coffee, etc., for the normal charge.
I asked, out of curiosity, as to how long one could remain in the, "room." I was told that the time limit for BF arrivals is 4 hours (although one could pay for more).
Space is extremely limited. The stand for the suitcase can only be used by blocking the door. There is a fold-up table which one needs for toiletries, etc, as there is no way to put anything on or near the sink.

All in all, I think if CO is serious about business travelers, they're going to have to come up with something better. I know this is going to sound sexist, but I believe that most female business travelers would not find the lounge acceptable. Large males would not find the lounge usable.

One other point about LHR arrival - in order to take the Heathrow Express into London it was necessary to take a train to Terminals 1/2/3, then connect to terminal 5 and then board the Heathrow Express. Door-to-door, the Gatwick express is faster than Heathrow Express connecting from Terminal 4.

Note also that I don't understand the second connection as the Heathrow Express stopped at terminals 1/2/3 after leaving terminal 5.

Thanks for the update ...

I really don't understand how on earth CO thought it was a good idea to invest $200 million + in moving operations from LGW to LHR ... I've only flown in/out of LHR once myself compared to a handful of times at LGW and I just don't get what is supposed to be so great about LHR ... I thought it was that it had direct tube service, but after spending what seemed like an hour on the tube riding from Central London to LHR last year, I don't think that could be it ... are there really that many travellers out there who prefer LHR to LGW?

Maybe they were already thinking of an AA/BA alliance?

IIRC, the issue was with people making connections at LHR to other destinations.

Hi Beckles, we are now using both the Hilton London Heathrow and the Yotel Heathrow Terminal 4 for our BusinessFirst arrivals showers. We are using the Yotel more frequently because it's a shorter walk and our customers seem to prefer these accomodations over the fitness center at the Hilton. In addition to a shower, the small-but-functional Yotel cabins have a bed, complimentary broadband internet access, a 20" flatscreen TV and a room service menu. If you'd rather use the fitness center at the Hilton, just let our Concierge know when you arrive.

Thanks for the update ... we are flying in to LHR on May 24th, and my wife really is not very happy that there is no arrivals lounge like when we flew into LGW last summer.

I know it wasn't your decision, but it really does boggle the mind how CO could spend over $200 million in slots for LHR but hasn't spent a penny on providing arrival facilities that are comparable to what is provided at LGW.

It would seem to me that food and drink should be included at the YOTEL if CO wanted to at least attempt to provide a level of service comparable to a true arrivals facility, such as the one at LGW.

Thank you for your response, I do appreciate it despite my displeasure with the content of the response (which I know you have no control of).

Hi Scott,

I don't know what the Hilton is like, but I'm pretty sure my wife would be unhappy with the Yotel (see review above). Can't say I totally understand women, however I'm pretty sure this is not going to be a big hit with female business travelers. [All: Please don't flame me for being sexist.]

As much as I have flown in and out of LHR, I've never had to switch terminals, but here's my question:

If I'm connecting between VS flights (DXB-LHR-JFK) in T3, is it possible to get to airside T4 to use the Holideck lounge? I've used the lounge before (love it!) but I was flying out on KL and BA directly from T4. Unfortunately, this trip is in PE on VS, not UC, so no ClubHouse access

[*]Departures. For departures, we will be using the Holideck Lounge until our first-of-its kind SkyTeam Lounge debuts this Fall. In both cases, the lounges will be available to our departing BusinessFirst customers, Presidents Club members and eligible SkyTeam Elite Plus members/guests traveling on international SkyTeam itineraries.[/list][/QUOTE]


any update on the new Skyteam Lounge timetable?