Review: British Airways Concorde Room London Heathrow

"Still, looking at it globally British Airways probably has average ground services, as there are plenty of top Asian airlines without much of a ground experience to speak of"

The difference is Asian airports tend to be adequately staffed in my experience. I've never waited more than 5 minutes for any reason at SIN or HKG, for example.

That's disappointing to hear-- I'm dumping some AA miles on my folks to send them to Ireland via LHR (with a week in UK/France VIA Eurostar) for their anniversary and have them flying BA First. Sounds like compared to Lufthansa, there really is no comparison. Damn you US Div. Miles availability!!

Surprised to hear the Air France product is that nice... wouldn't have thought that.

That is one looooooong jetbridge! Did people get confused where the gate was? I'd imagine people would think the gate closest to where they see the A380 is the BA A380 gate.

@ Joey -- Hah, the signage was pretty clear, so people didn't seem too confused, though there were a lot of people complaining as they walked down the jet bridge.

Lucky, Lucky - how can you say it must be the world's longest airbridge when you can clearly see in the photo that that honor must go to the gate next to you, where the oneworld 747 was? 😉

Otherwise I absolutely agree with you about Heathrow and BA ground product. BA have this ridiculously quaint (and very British) notion that their product is one of understated luxury rather than over-the-top flashiness. While that can be appreciated to some extent, their idea of understated luxury is clearly pitched to a lower standard than mine.

The jet bridge is symbolic of Heathrow generally. It is common to see signs :25 mins walk to gate., and thst is after getting to waiting area.

@ Yarki -- Hah, I could be mistaken, but I believe the 747 in the background actually has a gate much closer to the plane so the jet bridge isn't quite as long. I could be wrong, though.

The cabana is worth reserving even if you have to empty the trash can first…………..

I love this post as it is so spot on. London Heathrow has to be one of the most disappointing airports in the world. I love it (as a oneworl emerald you get lounge perks and I redeem for business or first awards if available) but you also have to hate LHR for all your points
- ridiculous engineering making a same terminal transfer take over an hour
- idiotic bus system and route between terminals
- very poor staffing levels so always a wait
-lounges that feel grubby
- far too much traffic for 2 runways huge delays to land or take off which is also so environmentally unfriendly
Personally I don’t see the British quaint in this airport. But as a oneworld flyer where else do you choose to connect to Europe? Madrid or Berlin????

I'm sorry, but your posts are getting so repetitive. How many times can you sit in first class?

I really wish you would do something generous with some of your miles like TPG just did ( donated 1 million miles) instead of spending them on trips you've done a million times. I've read your blog for a few years now and have yet to see one charitable action.

Nice report, thanks! Appreciate the wine list. Was it nicer than the Air France list?

As I British reader of your blog, can I just say a very warm Lucky to the UK. Hope you enjoy Scotland!

Agree LHR security can be a nightmare. Don't know if you're leaving Edinburgh on BA, but if so the new BA lounge there looks superb! (photos are on FT). Do get in touch if you're free on the 2nd.

Two things you don't get right in England, hot food and Heathrow. But some of the desserts I am quite fond of.

Mince Meat pie is one I really love around this time of the year!

Lucky, the Virgin Atlantic Ads may be similar to BA being denied putting the Concorde in the circle in front of T5. Apparently BAA re-designed the circle putting a tunnel or something underneath such that the space could bear the weight of the Concorde on it. I think BAA and BA have a very interesting relationship.

Jorge - You are rigt the mince pies are the best, especially with cream!

I agree totally with this post. BA Concorde Lounge is a huge disappointment. I prefer the First Class lounge across the landing from it, especially if it isn't crowded. There's always a quiet corner somewhere. Not so with the Concorde Lounge. The one in JFK is much better. And Terminal 5 is a massive disappointment. Basically, it's at capacity already. Heathrow was built piecemeal over 60 years and it shows: no cohesive design or flow.

Ha I also had the sticky pudding the last time I visited BA first lounge. Loved it. Eton Mess, Chelsea bun, banoffee pie, and of course trifle yum yum

Excellent report, and endorse what the author says about The Concorde Room. Twice I have felt let down badly by BA raising expectations to a First Class threshold but delivering it on the cheap, below as others have said other (Asian and Gulf) airlines' business offering on and off the ground. There is a disorganised, under resourced, fragmented series of outsourced partners working in the lounges. None have much interest in their job or their customers.

Hi Lucky,

Enjoyed this chapter. You're very right about most things Heathrow. I should say all things! But you haven't lived till you negotiate a shower in the First Class lounge for arriving passengers (outside of security). Or maybe you have, but I missed it. Anyway, it's like going to one of the municipal swimming pools of your youth. Two or three grouchy ladies, whom you've interrupted from their conversation, grudgingly sign you in and assign you a shower room.

You have to know to ask for conditioner (shampoo is in the stalls and so is soap), a comb, a razor or whatever else they have squirreled away and hidden in their desk drawer. Each item is handed over, well, grudgingly. The drawer is shut. Then you have to ask for your next item. (I have noted this on the survey BA sends after every trip.)

The shower rooms themselves look like they're left over from the 1970s. They are small. There's a teeny strip of a bench and not enough hooks for your stuff. But you have to keep your stuff off the floor, because once you shower, the whole room showers with you.

Water pressure's pretty good. But the mirror is frightening. And as you dress (and watch out for your shoes and socks!) you have to mind the wet floor. My saving grace is the radio. I'm in time in the morning to hear Graham Norton.

Each time I emerge from the shower experience I feel as if I have accomplished something. Then it's time to run & grab some breakfast, as the whole shebang closes by 1pm. The self-serve coffee/tea machines are empty before then.

It's all very industrial cafeteria (there is a small room with waitstaff service. But this closes early. And the food is similar to what is in the cafeteria area, anyway). But... I have to say I'm always grateful, because this is as good as it gets at T5.

I really like your reviews normally, but I feel like your reviews of all British Airways products including its onboard cabin and lounges are very biased and not fair. I fly BA all the time and love it, you always seem to be negative, the Concorde Room and Galleries First/Club are both great lounges and BA beats all american airlines and most european carriers. But all your reviews seem very biased against British Airways and their products.

Some interesting points about the lounges and T5 LHR generally. As a Londoner flying backwards and forwards across the Atlantic very frequently, I do think BA has needs to up its game...competitors are getting better bit by bit and the BA product feels staid generally.

I do take umbrage at the comments about British food though. I am not sure how you have formed an opinion that the food is not good (forget the lounges for a minute and think restaurants). The UK, and especially London, has the most culturally diverse, innovative and high quality restaurants anywhere in the world today. From fresh and locally sourced British gastronomy to the best 3 michelin restaurants and a whole array in between. If you need a list of places to try I am happy to provide...

Can you access the concorde room if you booked FC on American but flying BA metal?
Family of 4, booked 2 with AA miles and 2 with avios.

That's one bitter and snooty review, Mr. Lucky...

LHR is an overcrowded mess and BA has been resting on its laurels for a generation or two. Yes the CCR is underwhelming as well. Just be glad you didn't arrive at immigration right after a jumbo jet from Lagos or Nairobi.

Any one who drinks champagne and coke should not be writing about food or wine

Interesting to read the opinions - much unfair bias. But funny how various oinions conflict each other, apart from some of the Southern Asian airports, Heathrows T5 is one of the best, if not thee best airport.
Busy airport, including the lounges, but a marked improvement on the vast majority of most others