Here’s some exciting news for oneworld flyers departing from London Heathrow…
In this post:
Qantas Lounge LHR Terminal 3 reopens
The Qantas Lounge London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 3 has reopened its doors, and is now welcoming guests daily from 6AM until 4PM. The lounge closed in March 2020 when the pandemic shut down global travel, and is now finally open again. For the time being this is no doubt the best oneworld lounge option at Heathrow Terminal 3.
While a majority of British Airways’ operations are out of Terminal 5, Terminal 3 also has lots of oneworld flights, including select British Airways and Iberia flights, most American Airlines flights, and all flights on Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines, and Qantas.
Heathrow Terminal 3 used to be one of the best terminals in the world when it came to oneworld lounge options, between the Qantas Lounge and the Cathay Pacific Lounge (which also had a dedicated first class section for oneworld Emerald members). However those lounges have been closed for 20+ months, so passengers have been directed to the lackluster British Airways Lounge.
It’s fantastic to see the Qantas Lounge finally open, as this would definitely be the lounge I’d choose to use when flying oneworld out of Terminal 3.
The Qantas Lounge can be accessed by all oneworld first & business class passengers, plus all oneworld Emerald & Sapphire members flying a oneworld airline the same day.
How good is the Qantas Lounge London?
The Qantas Lounge London Heathrow is definitely the best oneworld lounge currently open in the terminal. The lounge has two levels, and has barista made coffee drinks, and both a menu and a buffet.
Current brunch menu items include organic oat porridge, eggs benedict, salt and pepper squid, and an english muffin with sausage, scrambled eggs, and tomato relish.
Unlike the Qantas Lounge Los Angeles and Qantas Lounge Singapore, there’s not a dedicated first class section to the lounge.
Bottom line
The Qantas Lounge London has reopened, which many oneworld loyalists will no doubt be happy about. This is definitely the lounge you’ll want to check out if you’re a premium oneworld traveler departing from Terminal 3. It’s not only the best lounge currently open in Terminal 3, but I’d argue it’s better than any of British Airways’ business class lounges in Terminal 5.
Anyone plan on checking out the Qantas Lounge LHR soon?
Quantas lounge is no longer accepting outside guess only one world travelers.
As of today the QF LHR lounge is closed again!
According to BA and AA staff one of the QF lounge staff tested positive to covid so everyone was deemed a contact and the lounge must close.
A sign on the lounge door reads “Due to unforeseen circumstances the lounge is closed today. Please use the British Airways Lounge F”
If what the BA and AA staff told us is true it seems...
As of today the QF LHR lounge is closed again!
According to BA and AA staff one of the QF lounge staff tested positive to covid so everyone was deemed a contact and the lounge must close.
A sign on the lounge door reads “Due to unforeseen circumstances the lounge is closed today. Please use the British Airways Lounge F”
If what the BA and AA staff told us is true it seems ridiculously over cautious and either bad policy or poor planning, regardless 2 years in to a pandemic I don’t think a covid case can be called “unforeseen”
AA flies out of T5 at LHR for flights to JFK, and the rumors were that they were going to permanently relocate to T5 with BA
The only positive is that if you’re OW Emerald you have access to the First Class wing at T5 which is a great check in and security experience, but you’re getting a subpar lounge experience compared to T3. I really miss the CX and QF lounges!
Don’t forget Terminal 3 was originally closed up for most of 2020. It was re-opened in early 2021 to handle red list arrivals. It was only in July 2021 that regular passenger services resumed (and red list arrivals moved to the then closed Terminal 4). The Emirates lounge still has some of the best runway views I would say.
Since when has Qantas lounge Singapore had a 1st class section? Not in past 15 years to my knowledge.
It was opened before the pandemic.
I lounge hopped Qantas, Centurion and BA today. Amex all new and shiny with good food options both hot and cold. But VERY busy at 0915
Qantas has windows over the apron BUT the a-la-carte food options had stopped as soon as 0930 when I arrived. It only caters for the Qantas flight that depart soon after and then stops for the rest of the day. Disappointing. Very few customers (it is only Day-2)...
I lounge hopped Qantas, Centurion and BA today. Amex all new and shiny with good food options both hot and cold. But VERY busy at 0915
Qantas has windows over the apron BUT the a-la-carte food options had stopped as soon as 0930 when I arrived. It only caters for the Qantas flight that depart soon after and then stops for the rest of the day. Disappointing. Very few customers (it is only Day-2) and the staff were making good use of the coffee and buffet.
On to BA purely for research and comparison. Well there was no comparison tbh. Almost deserted in First. Usual table service but totally lacking in atmosphere or any friendly interaction from the staff.
If it’s the best lounge in Terminal 3, does that mean it’s better than the centurion lounge that is also in terminal 3?