Not quite true, it is accessible to CX pax as well. Not relevant to the OP though

Everyone's criteria for best lounge is different. I find the reviews by this magazine most helpful as they break them down into categories to help people decide. In fairness, this comparison is three years old and doesn't gave family status as one of the criteria, but it may be helpful: http://www.ausbt.com.au/london-heath...s-class-lounge

Happy travels!

BA food is rubbish since the changes, having said that the few times I've been in the T3 BA lounge at the same time as the OP its been virtually empty. It's huge and has plenty of facilities, so with a lack of time to lounge hop I'd go straight there.

The CX showers are by far the best... I've used all three (BA in T5)

CX have enormous marble bathrooms, with both rain shower and hand shower.
AA is next best - big bathroom - functional
BA - is a wet room... everything gets wet... terrible!

Both of these lounges are open to AA and BA Emeralds arriving on a longhaul AA or BA flight at the terminal in which the lounge is located, in any cabin. There may be additional entrance priviledges also; There is a thread in the AA forum with more details.

As for T3, the AA showers are probably best, then BA for food, and CX for peace and quiet. The CX showers are pretty good too. Skip the BA showers. Due to the tasty noodles and higher quality champagne, I usually head to CX. If you have kids, then BA is the way to go.

One of my complaints about the LHR CX J lounge is that it is acoustically not well designed. There are a lot of open hard surfaces so that if there is one loud child (or annoyingly loud talking adults) in the lounge, the noise travels throughout the whole lounge.

Good point. To my experience it's more often the annoyingly loud talking adult who's disturbing, than any child

Hmm. Maybe I should wander over to the J lounge sometime and see it for myself. I have only been on the F side and should have mentioned that :o

Refraining from any comments on looking "on the other side", I have experiences from both GF and GC lounges, the GF is by far the most quiter (and roomier).

On a BA flight in Y class to BUD from T3 soonish. Assume as BA saphire I should be ok to use CX lounge is that correct? Fancy noodles etc instead as an alternative to what BA offer up. Lounge arriaval time around 18.00....

+1

I have always visited the BA Flounge in T3 previously, and I must be one of the few people who actually enjoy their macaroni cheese.

For various reasons, we decided to head for the CX first lounge today (we are here now). The Champagne is at the proper temperature, unlike T3 BA Flounge (and I'm quite partial to Veuve) and the noodles take the food to completely different level to BA. The area is also well staffed with attentive ladies.

It's smaller and is quite busy but seems quiet and peaceful.

Can't argue with BA, but in T3 it's CX for me.

Hmmm...Interesting to see this and other comments on the T3 CX F lounge, as I've been scarcely aware it was there and had assumed in any event that the BA F lounge in T3 would trump it by virtue of LHR being BA's home airport. I travel through T3 a decent amount, so this information comes in handy. Thanks for posting it. I'll check out CX F the next time through there.

Any updates on relative merits between the different lounges that a One World Emerald has access to in T3? CX vs BA vs AA? Won't need a shower.

CX lounge is closed for renovations until at least mid-June. So the BA and AA lounges are your options.

AA and BA are closely located to each other in T3 (Zone F versus Zone H).

BA T3 Galleries First has a nice left luggage service, so you can check your luggage with BA and check out both lounges to see which you prefer.

I found the food and beverage nicer in BA Galleries First in general, but in the morning AA FL has some nice American-style juice smoothies and bigger comfy chairs.