dinoscool3

It has been like that for at least 6 months to a year!

mozilla

UA asset tags can also be found on a lot of stuff there, including the power outlets. My impression of the menu is that it caters to both American and British tastes.

OTOH, they don't actively profile it as a UA operated lounge. The choice of the "shared space" wording says enough.

iapetus

I'll be arriving at LHR on United #923 this coming Sunday (depart LAX on Saturday). And I have a connection to GVA that departs some 5 hours later.

It's been a while since I've tried to visit the United Club at LHR on a connection, but I shouldn't have any problem doing it, is that right? (I am a UC member.) My recollection is that I'll have to clear customs and then turn around and walk all the way back to the UC club in terminal 2B. My onward flight should be out of 2A.

Are there any other options open to me? Aside from paid lounges, I think there are not.

WineCountryUA

As a transit passenger, you don't need to clear UK customs but there will be a security check. But you should have no problems getting to the UC.

As *G, you have many options
See Comparative Review of Five Different Star Alliance Lounges at Heathrow T2

iapetus

Yeah, I suppose that I was just thinking of the security check. Sloppy writing.

Thanks for passing that along! Looking that thread over, I'm guessing that I'll just spend my time in the United Club, unless I get really bored and want to explore the others ... whatever it takes to make the time pass quickly.


Thanks for the snappy response!

ryman554

The senator lounge is fine and is in T2A, likely where the GVA flight departs from. It has the advantage of not having to find your way back from T2B.... There are no problems doing it, you just need to pay attention to the signs and get on some elevators.

I personally like the exercise. Others may differ

With 5 hours and a us passport, wouldn't Central London be more fun? If nothing else, there is a good chippy near Paddington.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

Realistically, probably only 2 1/2 hours in London w/ 2 1/2 hours spent getting to/from airside - it's a good distance from T2 to Heathrow Express or TFL, then 15-25 minutes each way depending on which, plus re-clearing security/immigration on return, and not being late to gate for boarding. Tate Britain (not Modern) probably most convenient to Paddington to kill time. And there's a decent pub a block away towards Vauxhall bridge.

StuMcIlwain

The key thing for me is the United Club, as well as the other lounges out in T2B, have showers. The Lufthansa Senator Lounge in T2A does not. When flying out of T2A, if I want a shower (and have time), I make the trek out to T2B. Otherwise, I just stay at the Senator lounge, which is quite decent.

iapetus

It is admittedly worth considering.

So, how would this actually work? UA #923 is scheduled to land at 12:20pm. I am assuming that my bag will be checked through. How soon can I reasonably expect to arrive at Paddington Station? And at what time would I have to board the Heathrow Express to make a flight that departs at 5:15pm? It could be a lot of stress and money for not much time in London. On the other hand, if a decent pub can be quickly found and a good football game can be caught (I think I saw that Everton is playing that afternoon), not that I'm a Premier League fan, the adventure might be worth the effort.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

Heathrow Express runs pretty frequently. Should get to Paddington by 1:30 (1:15 if everything clicks). It ain't cheap. 25 pounds each way. TFL is 10 plus change and is only 8 minutes slower w/ 4 stops, but probably 1/2 the frequencies. You'd want to be on a Express no later than 3:30p for a 5:15 departure w/ no luggage. That realistically leaves only 2 hours out and about from Paddington. Probably not worth it.

There's a pub I've eyed out on Bath Road bordering airport (Three Magpies) on the occasions I've spent the night out there prior to a flight, but have never visited. There's a free bus that might get you there.

5 hours is just a bit under for the trouble of to/from central London, but (in my opinion) more than I want to spend in an airport lounge.

mpiotrow

I've been to the Three Magpies before. It's the closest real pub to LHR (that I know of). The free buses (105, and 111 for sure) run every 10 mins or so, and there are bus stops for travel to/from the airport very near the pub. You'll catch the bus at the Central Bus Station. Free bus, just walk on, and watch for the Nene Rd stop (stop BJ). Stop BM is the one right across Bath Rd from stop BJ, and that's the one you'll need to catch the bus back to the Central Bus Station.

Aussienarelle

If it were me I would probably catch a taxi to Windsor Castle - it is a 25 minute cab ride. The Castle is interesting and the town itself has pubs, etc. When I have arrived early in the morning and am leaving early the next day I have checked into my hotel and then caught the bus and a train to Windsor - this takes about an hour and I had time.

I have stayed at hotels along Bath Road a number of times and it is not the nicest of areas - it is an area of hotels catering to people who want to catch a flight the next day. It is fine but I personally would choose to go a little further out to find a decent pub and a better atmosphere.

I love London but essentially you will have only a couple of hours in the city and then need to get back to Paddington to get back to Heathrow. Now if I was going to meet a friend, had a particular destination in mind I would do it (and have done it). However, there are some nice pubs around Paddington and the train station itself is very interesting to wander around.

iapetus

I absolutely agree. There is an LX flight that goes from LHR to GVA at 2:25pm, but by the time I got around to purchasing this ticket, the only remaining fare classes left on that flight were driving the cost of the ticket too high.

I actually really like Windsor and prefer overnighting there to doing so in London when I have a flight out of LHR. When I would travel to Oxford for work (which didn't happen all that regularly), I would often choose to stay in Windsor, which is no less convenient and far less crowded than staying in Paddington.

I think one of the reasons that I don't love London is that I'm always merely traveling through London and never go there as a destination. Maybe one day ...


Anyhoo, what I ultimately do will probably come down to how I'm feeling (and I can guess at that looking at the very poor upgrade chances) and how comfortable I'm feeling in the lounge. Thanks for all of the input!

nsx1164

Please confirm access requirements... Am * Gold status (MM) and flying coach (PE) outbound LHR -> EWR. Is the T2 club available/accessible ? Thanks in advance.

Repooc17

Yes. Also, SN is now also operating out of T2. The post you quoted (from 2014) is outdated.