LHR Lounge Confusion
Aug 24, 2018, 4:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 154
LHR Lounge Confusion
I'm flying DTW-LHR in Delta One so arriving T3. Connecting (carry-on only) to BA in Club Europe (business) to PMI out of T5. Layover is just over 5 hrs. Will I be able to access the Virgin Arrival Lounge in T3, and is it worth visiting before the BA lounge I should have access to in T5?
Aug 24, 2018, 4:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 798
It depends on what you are looking to do. Shower?, eat?, sleep?, work? Just check out the lounge. Me personally I would go directly to the ba lounge. Though if the spa is on your list I think the virgin spa is far better and easier to get an appointment
ba also flies out of terminal three so there is a slim chance your connecting flight goes from three
ba also flies out of terminal three so there is a slim chance your connecting flight goes from three
Last edited by tennessetom; Aug 24, 2018 at 4:34 pm Reason: Add
Aug 24, 2018, 6:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 277
There is no spa in the Virgin Arrivals lounge; just showers and breakfast. Keep in mind it closes around noon (I think at 1pm, but maybe even at 11am?). The times I’ve used it they have been able to get me in the shower immediately, which may be important to you. By other than that I have to imagine just going straight to the BA lounge will be a better experience.
Aug 24, 2018, 6:58 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
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Five hours is too long to stay at the airport. Even a great lounge gets old after 2 hours. I would go to The Pheasant Inn pub and restaurant just on the north side of Heathrow. It's not free (although busses in the airport zone are), but it's a nice airport-escape and you'll get a real British experience.
The VS Revivals lounge is great. Above average breakfast spread and nice shower rooms. For BA, PMI flights depart T5. The BA lounges, which you will have access to as a Club Europe passenger (the Galleries Club ones unless you're a OneWorld Emerald which entitles you to the Galleries First Lounge), are nice with decent food but are frequently crowded. My fave is the 5B lounge followed by the 5A North one. You will have access to the T5 Elemis Travel Spa which also has showers, although there might be a wait and I find them rather drab-looking as compared to the Revivals showers, but they're still fully useful. I've never tried the spa.
The VS Revivals lounge is great. Above average breakfast spread and nice shower rooms. For BA, PMI flights depart T5. The BA lounges, which you will have access to as a Club Europe passenger (the Galleries Club ones unless you're a OneWorld Emerald which entitles you to the Galleries First Lounge), are nice with decent food but are frequently crowded. My fave is the 5B lounge followed by the 5A North one. You will have access to the T5 Elemis Travel Spa which also has showers, although there might be a wait and I find them rather drab-looking as compared to the Revivals showers, but they're still fully useful. I've never tried the spa.
Aug 24, 2018, 7:51 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
Hopefully you'll be able to get a fast track pass while onboard your Delta flight so that your wait at the "UK Border" will be short.
When I flew through LHR in late May (I was in PE on VS and didn't have a fast track pass), my wait in the immigration queue was 105 minutes; that was actually relatively short, as some travelers were reporting waits of up to 3 hours.
When I flew through LHR in late May (I was in PE on VS and didn't have a fast track pass), my wait in the immigration queue was 105 minutes; that was actually relatively short, as some travelers were reporting waits of up to 3 hours.
Aug 24, 2018, 8:48 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM/2MM, Flying Blue Gold, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 1,934
I made this exact connection last year (originated at JFK, but otherwise the same) and met a family member at Revivals before moving to T5. Immigration - even with fast track - took nearly an HOUR!
I had plenty of time like you will, but it was still maddening. Next time I would just take the connection bus to T5. Revivals was really nice, but not THAT nice.
I had plenty of time like you will, but it was still maddening. Next time I would just take the connection bus to T5. Revivals was really nice, but not THAT nice.
Aug 24, 2018, 11:12 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
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Yeah make sure you get a FastTrack pass. The VS lounge is small and cozy, but the time I was there very empty so easy to have space to chill, relax, have some good food and shower. I would check it out to since you'll have the time
Aug 25, 2018, 7:04 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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There is no spa in the Virgin Arrivals lounge; just showers and breakfast. Keep in mind it closes around noon (I think at 1pm, but maybe even at 11am?). The times I’ve used it they have been able to get me in the shower immediately, which may be important to you. By other than that I have to imagine just going straight to the BA lounge will be a better experience.
1. yes there is a spa and the treatment menu is here
2. it closes at 1.30 pm as per the website Suggesting it closes at 11am or even noon is very unhelpful
Aug 25, 2018, 7:57 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 798
Ha. I didn’t feel like arguing but had the same thoughts. Why offer easy to look up info and be wrong. I think op was more interested in the nuances that can’t be easily looked up. As to fast pass it can be deceiving in that the line is shorter but there are far fewer agents so it can take longer. I highly recommend applying for trusted traveler to those that go often or don’t mind spending money to gain time.
Aug 25, 2018, 9:07 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Aug 25, 2018, 1:21 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PNS
Programs: DL PM / 1MM "Enhancee" (Frequent Flyer) Since 1990
Posts: 1,156
Entry into UK
Hopefully you'll be able to get a fast track pass while onboard your Delta flight so that your wait at the "UK Border" will be short.
When I flew through LHR in late May (I was in PE on VS and didn't have a fast track pass), my wait in the immigration queue was 105 minutes; that was actually relatively short, as some travelers were reporting waits of up to 3 hours.
When I flew through LHR in late May (I was in PE on VS and didn't have a fast track pass), my wait in the immigration queue was 105 minutes; that was actually relatively short, as some travelers were reporting waits of up to 3 hours.
Aug 26, 2018, 8:37 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
Of course the ultimate situation may be if you are a citizen of the UK/EU - i believe they have somewhat quicker lines with "global entry" type booths. I haven't tried those, even though i'm a dual US/UK citizen. Unsure about the trouble it might cause.. someone once said always enter a country wielding THAT country's passport. Never tried.. but it has to be less hassle than standing in the packed immigration hall for an hour..
Aug 27, 2018, 12:00 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
Hopefully you'll be able to get a fast track pass while onboard your Delta flight so that your wait at the "UK Border" will be short.
When I flew through LHR in late May (I was in PE on VS and didn't have a fast track pass), my wait in the immigration queue was 105 minutes; that was actually relatively short, as some travelers were reporting waits of up to 3 hours.
When I flew through LHR in late May (I was in PE on VS and didn't have a fast track pass), my wait in the immigration queue was 105 minutes; that was actually relatively short, as some travelers were reporting waits of up to 3 hours.
Aug 27, 2018, 12:28 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Posts: 4,422
The earlier you get to the BA Galleries lounge the more likely there's still an Elemis treatment available (with a 5 hour layover your odds are better than most). So I'd head right over there if it was me.
Aug 27, 2018, 1:02 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Brighton. UK
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treatments at the BA elemis spa are restricted to passengers on long haul flights only. OP is Flying short haul