To continue my review trip, I flew British Airways first class from Newark to London. Prior to my flight, I had the chance to check out the British Airways Galleries Lounge Newark. This lounge is open to Priority Pass members during the day, and to British Airways passengers in the mornings and evenings.
Continue reading: Review: British Airways Lounge Newark Airport (EWR)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
It was my understanding that pre-flight dining is now open to OWE/OWS, as well (basically, anyone who has access to the lounge can access pre-flight dining). This seemed to be the case at IAD a couple weeks ago — there was no one checking the entrance to pre-flight dining, anyone could go in and out.
The seating in the pre flight dining area has been swapped out from the usual Club World soft seating to that cheap cafe style affair, there were also some awful purple/lilac sofas that needed chucking and I can’t see them in your pictures.It’s been along time since I’ve been in the EWR lounge but it’s good to see it again.
I might wind up in here next month if my UA Polaris upgrade doesn’t come through. Frankly, it looks as boring and uninspired as I find BA to be in general.
But even without the dining room service, it will work as a place to simply hang out in peace for 90-120 minutes. It looks absolutely fine in that regard.
"Aside from the pre-flight dining facility (which is exclusively for premium passengers on British Airways), the Galleries Lounge has a very basic food selection. "
- How do they make sure the non premium passengers do not use those services?
Ben, wrote about it. If you try really hard, I bet you can find it. Hint: There’s a picture too!
Hmm Ben, it looks like the bartender used red vermouth instead of white in your “martini.” I don’t see how else it could get that color from olive juice?
I used BA first class dining at Dulles a few weeks ago; it was fairly similar but I think the dining room at Dulles is a bit more elegant.
Still impressive BA even has a lounge at Newark.
How does this get 4 stars when there is no food for non-BA premium passengers? It might as well be a priority pass lounge at that point.
And even with the food, the non-first class food is just average and the first class food is hardly inspiring.
I just say OMG
This is not anything that I would accept as a British Airways lounge .
It looks very dated and poor ,the presentation with a few things displayed in the buffet .
Presentation and dining area looks no better than a regular cafe or brunch place .
Newark along with other U.S airports ,certainly need new terminals ,or at least a big facelift .
It is like going back to the 1980 time capsule .
Though I am very glad to hear the staff was very proper and got briefed with a positive vibe .
If I was flying BA first class ,I would be very dissatisfied with this concept .
This looks like heaven compared to the 1.5L bottles of Barefoot wine and rude service at the PHL lounge
Ordered the "Beyond Burger" and dinged the food quality. I'm not sure that's a fair measure of their potential.
Have you flown British Airways in the last 20 years? This is pretty much brand standard.
I'm surprised the sign next to the entrance door still lists Open Skies. It's been pretty long since that airline closed.
I cannot get over the fact that you went from JFK to EWR. You are truly one of a kind!
I am live in NYC and fly frequently on BA from EWR. I find the staff here consistently professional, helpful and friendly.
Not that it matters, but the Starbucks oven is a hybrid between a microwave oven and a high temp convection oven. The oven runs pretty hot so it manages to crisp up the outside of the food pretty quickly, while the microwave part ensures the middle of the food is warm (at least that's the intension). Not bad for fast food, maybe not so fine-dining?
Good review Ben. Has to be said though. A priority pass lounge and a
Microwaved burger for first…….. oh dear.
What does "Complimentary luggage storage available inside the lounge" mean? Can you leave luggage in the lounge storage area and then leave lounge for a few hours or does it just mean storage while you are physically in the lounge?
Thanks
@batflyer2 IAD doesn't have a preflight dining facility. They have a buffet with a couple items that can be ordered. And it's a consistently crappy buffet at that.
Someone who has been there recently confirms that it's possible to access the lounge using the Priority Pass?
The PP website doesn't mention this EWR lounge as available.
This review was super helpful! We ordered from the menu and were surprised by the choices:
Small Plate
Autumn salad with butternut squash, feta cheese, shaved Brussels sprouts and mustard vinaigrette
Big Plates
Burger
Impossible Burger
Bangers & Mash
Pumpkin Ravioli
This plus the regular buffet.
Thanks for the review, I’ve been searching for BA/EWR material for a little bit now. I will be traveling in May 2024 from EWR to LHR and onto EDI in the new CS on BA’s 777. Our flight leaves at 5:40 at night and then there is a later 9:15 flight but I can’t confirm it will have CS so went with earlier one. What I’ve been researching is if the lounge will open earlier since flight leaves at 5:40, probably boarding at 5. That only leaves 2 hours in the lounge. Obviously, that might be enough time based on the quality but I do like to get tot the airport early—just a bit of OCD!