Flying GF from IAD to LHR - what is the best lounge I have access to?
Dec 5, 2015, 8:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 104
Flying GF from IAD to LHR - what is the best lounge I have access to?
I am assuming it is the GF lounge in both IAD and LHR but considering I have access to other Star Alliance lounges, just checking to see what my options were. Thanks!
Dec 5, 2015, 8:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
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Posts: 1,752
LH lounge at IAD, gate B52 (i think there's another gate that's closer, but B52 is easy to remember).
give yourself 20 minutes to get from there to your gate in C/D. if you have a D gate, take a left out of the lounge and walk (a loooong way) until you see the moon buggy stop on your right.
give yourself 20 minutes to get from there to your gate in C/D. if you have a D gate, take a left out of the lounge and walk (a loooong way) until you see the moon buggy stop on your right.
Dec 5, 2015, 10:38 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Washington, DC, USA
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Posts: 1,829
I was comped to the UA GF lounge at IAD a few weeks ago. It's pleasant and quiet. The wines are a major step up from the UC and the food selection looked nice but I didn't partake.
Dec 5, 2015, 11:00 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold + 1MM; HHonors Gold; Marriott Plat
Posts: 746
While I love LH lounges, the GF lounge at IAD is extremely good with great food/drink selections. A world apart from the regular UA Lounges. Also from a location perspective, you will be in better shape in the UA GF lounge than the LH lounge all the way in terminal B.
Dec 6, 2015, 5:44 am
#8
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I disagree that the UA GFL has better food then LH Senator lounge, unless something has changed recently.
My visits to GFL saw only plastic-wrapped dried out sandwiches and other cold items. The only hot item was a chafing dish of sad-looking SAMs Club puff pastry pieces. They did have some shrimp cocktail, but it wasn't very tasty.
Last couple times I was at LH at IAD, multiple hot items (soup, stew, potatoes, etc) as well as high quality sandwich and salad options. Much better food options overall. It does get pretty crowded in the evenings, however.
the GFL is usually quiet. They somehow still have self-serve bar, regardless of local liquor rules. It is very close to Intl departure gates. If food isn't a big concern (which typically isn't for me prior to long haul in First) it is a fine place to hang out.
My visits to GFL saw only plastic-wrapped dried out sandwiches and other cold items. The only hot item was a chafing dish of sad-looking SAMs Club puff pastry pieces. They did have some shrimp cocktail, but it wasn't very tasty.
Last couple times I was at LH at IAD, multiple hot items (soup, stew, potatoes, etc) as well as high quality sandwich and salad options. Much better food options overall. It does get pretty crowded in the evenings, however.
the GFL is usually quiet. They somehow still have self-serve bar, regardless of local liquor rules. It is very close to Intl departure gates. If food isn't a big concern (which typically isn't for me prior to long haul in First) it is a fine place to hang out.
Dec 6, 2015, 8:41 am
#9
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I disagree that the UA GFL has better food then LH Senator lounge, unless something has changed recently.
My visits to GFL saw only plastic-wrapped dried out sandwiches and other cold items. The only hot item was a chafing dish of sad-looking SAMs Club puff pastry pieces. They did have some shrimp cocktail, but it wasn't very tasty.
Last couple times I was at LH at IAD, multiple hot items (soup, stew, potatoes, etc) as well as high quality sandwich and salad options. Much better food options overall. It does get pretty crowded in the evenings, however.
the GFL is usually quiet. They somehow still have self-serve bar, regardless of local liquor rules. It is very close to Intl departure gates. If food isn't a big concern (which typically isn't for me prior to long haul in First) it is a fine place to hang out.
My visits to GFL saw only plastic-wrapped dried out sandwiches and other cold items. The only hot item was a chafing dish of sad-looking SAMs Club puff pastry pieces. They did have some shrimp cocktail, but it wasn't very tasty.
Last couple times I was at LH at IAD, multiple hot items (soup, stew, potatoes, etc) as well as high quality sandwich and salad options. Much better food options overall. It does get pretty crowded in the evenings, however.
the GFL is usually quiet. They somehow still have self-serve bar, regardless of local liquor rules. It is very close to Intl departure gates. If food isn't a big concern (which typically isn't for me prior to long haul in First) it is a fine place to hang out.
Dec 6, 2015, 11:13 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,082
I would second most of what is said above. You might want to try both, though the LH lounges are more of a hike at A/B versus the UA GFL in C/D. I think the food thing is also a bit subjective. More choice at LH, but I like the chilled shrimp at UA. Don't bother with any of the other UA lounges. However, neither holds a candle to the BA Concorde Room at IAD or UA's GFL at LHR
Dec 6, 2015, 5:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold + 1MM; HHonors Gold; Marriott Plat
Posts: 746
I would second most of what is said above. You might want to try both, though the LH lounges are more of a hike at A/B versus the UA GFL in C/D. I think the food thing is also a bit subjective. More choice at LH, but I like the chilled shrimp at UA. Don't bother with any of the other UA lounges. However, neither holds a candle to the BA Concorde Room at IAD or UA's GFL at LHR
Dec 6, 2015, 5:51 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SFO, ORD, IAD
Programs: UA Plat, AA Plat Pro, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat
Posts: 353
). Maybe someday the rest of the GFLs will have sit-down restaurant style dining... 
Dec 8, 2015, 6:26 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: UA GS; Marriott Plat; IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 79
I disagree that the UA GFL has better food then LH Senator lounge, unless something has changed recently.
My visits to GFL saw only plastic-wrapped dried out sandwiches and other cold items. The only hot item was a chafing dish of sad-looking SAMs Club puff pastry pieces. They did have some shrimp cocktail, but it wasn't very tasty.
Last couple times I was at LH at IAD, multiple hot items (soup, stew, potatoes, etc) as well as high quality sandwich and salad options. Much better food options overall. It does get pretty crowded in the evenings, however.
the GFL is usually quiet. They somehow still have self-serve bar, regardless of local liquor rules. It is very close to Intl departure gates. If food isn't a big concern (which typically isn't for me prior to long haul in First) it is a fine place to hang out.
My visits to GFL saw only plastic-wrapped dried out sandwiches and other cold items. The only hot item was a chafing dish of sad-looking SAMs Club puff pastry pieces. They did have some shrimp cocktail, but it wasn't very tasty.
Last couple times I was at LH at IAD, multiple hot items (soup, stew, potatoes, etc) as well as high quality sandwich and salad options. Much better food options overall. It does get pretty crowded in the evenings, however.
the GFL is usually quiet. They somehow still have self-serve bar, regardless of local liquor rules. It is very close to Intl departure gates. If food isn't a big concern (which typically isn't for me prior to long haul in First) it is a fine place to hang out.
Dec 8, 2015, 6:43 am
#14
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Dec 8, 2015, 7:50 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,082
That is because the UA GFL at IAD is really just on a par with a typical business class lounge of one of the international carriers, hence the comparison to the LH business lounge at IAD. Personally, my favorite business class lounge at IAD is AirFrance for the French bread sandwiches. I understand they recently became priority pass, but don't know if that means they have different food and drink then (which is what the BA lounge does). I've never been to Etihad or VA lounges, but the BA Concorde Room at IAD is the best lounge there I have been to.