It’s becoming increasingly clear that so many of the services that have been cut by airlines during the pandemic in the name of safety won’t ever return, as airlines realize that they like the cost savings. Here’s the latest such example.
Continue reading: British Airways Permanently Closes Airport Lounge Elemis Spas
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
My wife and I have used these a few times, disappointed to see them go.
BA continue to head in the wrong direction.
Had used the JFK T7 one a few times in the past and found it unremarkable and the Elemis brand itself could use a redo. This is not all that surprising to hear, given the environment right now, but it also illustrates where BA continues to head and that is the wrong direction.
They always felt like a gimmick - not just BA Spas. It will be interesting to see in about 5+ years, whether airlines will compete by bringing back some of these same services again or whether they will get creative and bring in new initiatives!
Perhaps the silver lining will be more space for working, eating, and resting if they repurpose these areas.
BA is moving to T8 at JFK anyway. Makes sense to close that one permanently now.
Remember when all the fanboys were defending airlines and saying those cuts weren’t permanent? LOL
I’ve had a massage at Heathrow and JFK and, for a nervous flyer, they were a great way to prepare for the flight. A little ashamed to admit I may have sat on the massage chair back to front (it wasn’t the most obvious in my defence) after spending too much time sampling the free drinks in the lounge. But I agree that they were hard to book so not of widespread benefit.
In maybe 15 or so flights in business over a couple of years, there was never availability when I was at T5. I won't miss them.
Sad to see it go. Only flown once in Business class but I found it easy to get a facial . Oh well , at least I got it once !
Just hope Virgin opens their first class lounge as out with them on July.
Honestly could not care less. Cathay has a proper 15 minute massage thing going on (or, at least, as proper as a 15 minute massage can be), BA's is a joke in comparison.
I’ve only used the BA Elemis Lounge once, at T5 a few years back. I had a back massage and I think I was in more pain afterwards! The therapist wasn’t very friendly either. So no loss for me, though it doesn’t help BA’s “premium” image.
I can see another spa provider will come along on a franchise model, Champneys showed an interest a few years back in a story in the BT magazine.
I’ve been quite lucky as BA gold many a year with trips to Europe and Eurasia.. I throughly will miss it. Back to sipping the Bolle and eating the nibbly things.
Once again BA decides to short change their loyal customers with their myopic decisions in the name of efficiency. For several decades I broke up two 10 flights at LHR (DEN to BOM and back) up to 6 times a year and enjoyed the showers (a must!) and massages, when so was able to book one, which was mostly impossible even with a 11.5 hour layover! I love their products. Their staff was mostly young, unprofessional, and generally more focussed on their phones than the silver, gold+ fliers. I'm not sure how I feel about flying BA now. I may decide to circumnavigate the globe the other direction and see how that works. I always look forward to your updates! Thanks for that!
Bit confused why the reason given for it being your least favourite spa treatment is due to availability? Presumably you would be very disappointed with a lottery win as the chance of getting it is very low?! Makes no sense.
In terms of a product it was actually fine. Even the chair did a reasonable job of relaxing you.
Think we’ll end up having a competitive reset in a couple of years’ time once the dust has settled. Look at Etihad etc
Oh well looks like I'll need to get my "massage" in the city before I head the airport.
BFD. It's like the kit you get in business or first . I have so many unopened from various airlines I'm going to make an NFT of them and become rich(er) selling it for billions
This is only the beginning, as someone else mentioned, people were really naive to believe that changes like this would not become permanent. Much like how they told us that charging for bags was only temporary due to the fuel crisis yet here we are 12 years later with low fuel prices while baggage fees only continue to go up. I'm surprised it took this long for some airlines to start charging for carry ons too. I wonder what else will become permanent next: having to wear masks on flights, negative covid tests or covid vaccination passport for entry into countries.
Back in 2015, despite having a booking in First for nearly a year, I couldn't get an appointment. The rancid cow on reception acted like I was the one who was personally responsible for the death of Princess Diana when I queried availability on the day.
Only got the massage chair; sheissen-haussen. Good riddance.
The treatments at Cathay's HKG Pier F Lounge were nothing memorable, if you could get a slot.
The 'therapists' were basically uninterested, and finished their routine well inside the allowed time.
Pretty much a waste of time and won't be missed.
As some airlines celebrate their loyalty program anniversaries and others remind their customers that all the service cuts they are doing are for their safety's sake, I think it's about time that we, "loyal" passengers ditch airlines' exclusive perks and special bonuses. WYSIWYPay.
Once upon several decades, it paid to be loyal to an airline or airline alliance. It's been quite a while since passengers' preference for them lost its value. I personally think it stopped making sense at least 10 years ago (unless your company still pays for your biz or even 1st class flights). It was great to be loyal when airlines appreciated mileage program members; no longer.