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L ondon Heathrow (LHR) is a very large airport with many airline lounges and other third party lounges. This guide takes a look at lounge options for travellers from every terminal at Heathrow......

British Airways Lounges - British Airways operates from T5 and has the world's largest airline lounge complex at the terminal covering some 15,000m² in total and seating up to 2,500 passengers. There are 3 business class Galleries Club lounges - South Galleries (seats 830), North Galleries (seats 440) - both on the upper level of T5A - and a Galleries lounge at Satellite T5B (seats 370). Access is given to Club or First passengers, Gold and Silver BA Executive Club members plus equivalent Oneworld elites. (Note, paid Qantas Club members no longer have access at T5). Open from 0530 until the last departure. Facilities include designer furniture and sofas, a 20 seat cinema, free WiFi, comprehensive food and drink selection. The Elemis Spa (at South Galleries) offers complimentary 15 minute treatments and also has 20 shower suites; there is a smaller Elemis Spa area at Satellite B.

For First Class travellers and BA Gold members there is the Galleries First lounge on the lower level (southern end) which seats 542. This has a wine gallery and champagne bar, coffee house, refectory and deli. There is a dedicated working space and a terrace / viewing area.

For First customers (plus BA Premier/Qantas Chairman's Lounge members) there is the elegant Concorde Room (seats 156) with intimate fine-dining, Concorde bar, concierge desk, business suite, terrace / viewing area plus 3 private cabanas - hotel-style rooms with en-suite facilities. BA Gold members who fly 5,000 tier points per year get a special Concorde Room card which also gives them access.

Photo credit: Flickr Richard Moross

T5 Arrivals

For arriving passengers (Club, First and long-haul travelling Gold card members) there is the Galleries Arrivals lounge (seats 156). Facilities include 94 showers, free 15 minute Elemis Spa treatments, valet suit pressing service and breakfast facilities. Open 0500-1400.

Heathrow By Invitation

Heathrow has recently opened up its VIP Windsor Suite at Terminal 5 to paying passengers. Costing £1,800 (including VAT) it offers groups of up to 6 people a private lounge facility (with light snacks and drinks), a dedicated security and passport control area and a limousine transfer to the aircraft (regardless of terminal). Meetings are possible with non-flyers and despite the cost you effectively bypass the main terminal and other travellers. Open to passengers of most airlines - note BA flyers must have premium cabin tickets.

LHR Terminal 1 Lounges

bmi Lounges - bmi has its main Great British Lounge (located above gate 5, seats 280) available for business class international passengers, Diamond Club elite members, and Star Alliance Gold members travelling on bmi international routes. Paid access can effectively be had via United Red Carpet Club membership. The lounge has contemporary styling with different zones - a buffet area with aga, an English pub, sitting area with fireplace, computer workstations, good views of the runway, sleep area with lie down chairs and 3 shower rooms. Open 0500-2235.

bmi's London Room is for domestic (UK/Ireland) business class and full fare economy passengers plus Diamond Club elite and Star Gold. Located at gate 6, the lounge offers drinks and snacks, seating area and London-themed decor. Open 0500-2145.

Star Alliance Lounge - Star has a 310 seat lounge covering 1,650m² located at the duty free shopping area near the flight connection desk. The lounge is divided into a business class section (250 seats) and first class (60 seats). Facilities include dining area, business workstations and 14 showers. Access for business and first class passengers on T1 Star carriers plus Star Gold members. Open 0530-2200.

Servisair Executive Lounge - Small, basic lounge (113 seats) on 2nd floor of departures for paying guests and Priority Pass/Diners Club holders. Drinks/snacks, newspapers/magazines and free WiFi. From £17.95 for a 3 hour stay. Open 0600-2200.

El Al King David Lounge - El Al has a small lounge (300m²) located on the Euro Pier near Gate 37. Access for business and first class passengers, Matmid Club Elite and King David Club members. The lounge contains snacks (kosher) and beverages, newspapers and magazines and free internet.

Aer Lingus Gold Circle Lounge - Aer Lingus runs a small lounge next to Gate 86 of pier 4A. Although windowless, the recent refurbishment has given it a more contemporary and atmospheric feel. Access for Gold Circle members, passengers flying transatlantic business class from Dublin, Bank of Ireland Gold Visa Business card holders and Flex economy passengers. Access can also be purchased online for £23 during the booking procedure. Open 0530-2200.

Star Alliance Arrivals Lounge - Small arrivals facility (around 300m²) on 2nd floor of T1 public arrivals hall. Available only for premium passengers arriving on bmi, South African Airways, United and US Airways. Shower facilities and breakfast bar. Open 0500-1400.

LHR Terminal 3 Lounges

No.1 Traveller Lounge - Recently opened flagship lounge (around 970m²) from hospitality group No.1 Traveller which also has lounges at London Gatwick and Stansted. Located upstairs, follow signs for gates 13-22. This is a stylish lounge open to paying guests - costs from £30 for a 3 hour stay. Free access for Priority Pass/Diners Club/Oman Air premium passengers. Includes a bistro menu service and bar, games room, business centre, free WiFi, quiet room, family room and apron views. For extra payment there is an a la carte menu, travel spa (from £15) and bedrooms (8 singles - £40 for 2 hours, 4 doubles - £60 for 2 hours) with ensuite showers. Probably one of the best pay-as-you-go airport lounges. Open 0430-2230.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Lounge - Virgin's flagship lounge at T3 (lounge H) and one of the world's best airline lounges. This 2,500m² lounge has many different sections with funky seating, pool table room, library/work space, free WiFi, observation deck and terrace, bar and dining area and complimentary Cowshed spa treatments and haircuts. Access is for Virgin Upper Class passengers plus Flying Club Gold and bmi Diamond Club Gold members flying Virgin. Open 0700-2200.

American Airlines Admirals & Flagship Lounges - AA has its Admirals Lounge (business class, seats 230) and Flagship Lounge (first class, seats 134) at area H at T3, below the Virgin Clubhouse. Contains cafe area with bistro seating, food and drink from London's Rhubarb restaurant, business centre, kids room, 7 shower rooms, TV lounge and free WiFi. Access for AA premium customers, Admirals Club members, Qantas Club and Oneworld Emerald members. An Admirals Club day pass costs $50. Open 0600-1800 Sun-Fri, 0600-1830 Sat.

Cathay Pacific Lounge - Cathay has a 923m² lounge which features its Noodle Bar, buffet area (Western and Asian foods), workstations, free WiFi and 5 shower rooms. First class section has 49 seats, business class section 136 seats. Access for premium Cathay passengers plus various elite Cathay/Cargo Clan/Oneworld members. Open 0530-2200.

Oneworld / British Airways Galleries Lounge - Galleries complex of 3,000m² with Club (seats 300) and First (seats 250) lounges at zone F (near gate 11). Contains the usual high quality BA facilities including the Elemis Spa. Access rules as above for T5. Also used by premium Iberia and Qantas passengers plus Oneworld elites and Qantas Club members. Open 0500-2330.

Emirates Lounge - The Gulf carrier has an expanded 1,025m² lounge for premium passengers which now seats 260. Located near Gate 7 of T3. Access for premium passengers and Skywards Gold members. Lounge includes large restaurant, computer workstations, washroom facilities and a prayer room.

Servisair Executive Lounge - Small lounge (150 seats) on 2nd floor of departures (Lounge F, near gate 12A) for paying guests and Priority Pass/Diners Club holders. Drinks/snacks, newspapers/magazines and free WiFi. From £17.95 for a 3 hour stay. Open 0630-2230.

Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounges - Silver Kris Lounges for first and business class passengers, PPS Club / KrisFlyer Elite Gold members. Located at lounge D, this is a well appointed lounge with good food selection, showers and computer workstations. First class lounge has a la carte dining. Limited windows means it does lack some natural light. Open 0715-2200.

SAS / Air Canada Lounge - Joint SAS/Air Canada lounge (opened back in 2003) in the duty free transit area - covers 1,300m² over 2 floors and seats 350. Access for Air Canada and SAS elite and premium passengers, plus Star Gold and United Red Carpet Club members. Well appointed lounge with usual facilities - drinks and snacks, workstations, games room, cinema room and showers. Open 0530-2200.

Arrivals T3

Air Canada Maple Leaf Arrivals Lounge - Arrivals lounge next to shuttle pick-up point, available to Air Canada premium passengers and elite Maple Leaf Club members. Paid access is possible: $30-$35 online or $40 at the door. Business centre, showers, continental breakfast area and clothes pressing. Open 0600-1330.

American Airlines Arrivals Lounge - American has a small arrivals lounge on the 2nd floor of T3. Access given to first and business class AA passengers, or oneworld Emerald members arriving on a oneworld carrier. AA economy passengers can get access for a hefty $108 payment. The lounge contains 29 showers, breakfast bar facilities, suit press service, 6 computer workstations, free WiFi. Open 0600-1400.

Virgin Atlantic Arrivals Lounge - Virgin's "Revivals" arrivals lounge features 18 shower rooms, valet cleaning service, breakfast bar, Cowshed spa and free WiFi. Open 0500-1330.

Emirates - EK has a small arrivals lounge for premium passengers using the onward chauffeur service.

LHR Terminal 4 Lounges

Skyteam Lounge - The first Skyteam branded lounge, located at gate 10 of T4. Spread over 2 levels, the 1,600m² lounge seats 300. Includes food and beverage service, wine bar, work stations, free WiFi, wellness centre with showers, oxygen bar and massage chairs and Clarins treatment rooms. Access for first and business class passengers and various Skyteam elite members. Paid access is possible via backdoor of Delta SkyClub membership. Open 0500-last departure.

Etihad Lounge - Etihad runs its own stylish 600m² lounge at T4, next to the Skyteam lounge. Includes quality food and drink, computer room, Six Senses Spa giving complimentary 15 minute treatments, a prayer room and showers. Access for first and business class Etihad passengers and elite Etihad Guest members. Open 0600-2200.

Gulf Air Falcon Lounge - Relatively new Gulf Air lounge of 600m² next to gate 6, with contemporary cream, blue and gold decor. Contains 110 seats with an Illy cafe counter, business centre and dining area. Access to premium and elite Gulf passengers. Open 0600-2230.

Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge - Stylish and airy Golden Lounge near gate 6 at T4 with excellent views of the runway/apron. Facilities include bar and dining area, Western and Malaysian food, 2 spacious shower rooms, prayer room, computer stations and free WiFi. Access to first and business class passengers, Platinum and Gold Enrich members.

Qatar Airways Lounge - Qatar's dedicated 750m² lounge opened in 2012 for premium and elite passengers. This luxurious lounge has stylish furnishings, shower facilities, a bar, deli counter and brasserie serving Arabian fare. Next to Gate 1C.

Air India Maharajah Lounge - Air India's lounge (opposite Gate 11) offers drinks and light snacks, business facilities and free WiFi to first and business class passengers.

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