- Five Star Virgin: Introduction
- Five Star Virgin: Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
- Five Star Virgin: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse San Francisco
- Five Star Virgin: Virgin Atlantic Upper Class from San Francisco (SFO) to London (LHR)
- Five Star Virgin: Virgin Atlantic Arrivals Lounge London Heathrow
- Five Star Virgin: Is First Class on the Heathrow Express worth it?
- Five Star Virgin: Hotel Indigo London Paddington
- Five Star Virgin: SkyTeam Lounge London Heathrow
- Five Star Virgin: Qatar Airways First Class from London (LHR) to Doha (DOH)
- Five Star Virgin: InterContinental Doha
- Five Star Virgin: Exploring Doha
- Five Star Virgin: Qatar Airways Premium Terminal Doha
- Five Star Virgin: Qatar Airways First Class from Doha (DOH) to London (LHR)
- Five Star Virgin: Crowne Plaza London Heathrow Airport
- Five Star Virgin: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse London Heathrow
- Five Star Virgin: Virgin Atlantic Upper Class from London (LHR) to New York (JFK)
- Five Star Virgin: Andaz Wall Street New York
- Five Star Virgin: Conclusion
After a ride from Paddington Station on the Heathrow Express and transit on the train connecting terminals, I arrived at Terminal 4 at around 9AM. I proceeded to Qatar Airways check-in, which was located in Zone A at the far end of the terminal. There was no one in the first class line, where I was promptly helped and issued a boarding pass and lounge invitation for the SkyTeam lounge. I believe that Qatar Airways is in the process of switching terminals, though it’s still a bit disappointing to only get access to a business class lounge as a first class passenger. The worst part is that Heathrow has more first class service from Qatar Airways than any other non-Middle East airport.
Check-in area
Qatar Airways check-in
I proceeded through Fast Track security, where there was no wait. Once in the terminal I headed to gate 10, which is where the SkyTeam lounge is located, passing several duty free shops on the way.
Duty free
While initially crowded, it was quite nice for a business class lounge. The furnishings were modern and the food selection was decent. They had omelets with all the trimmings (mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, etc.), fruit salad, yogurt, pastries, and all kinds of drinks.
Lounge entrance
SkyTeam lounge
SkyTeam lounge
SkyTeam lounge
Breakfast spread
Breakfast spread
Breakfast spread
Breakfast spread
My breakfast
The funniest part about the lounge had to be that Continental still flies out of Terminal 4, so they still use the SkyTeam lounge, despite having left SkyTeam over a year ago. The announcement in the lounge for Newark went something like: “Ladies and gentlemen, SkyTeam would like to announce the boarding of Continental flight 29 to Newark from gate 8. On behalf of SkyTeam, thank you for flying with Continental today.” Hah, don’t think Star Alliance would approve of that!
What other airlines use this lounge?
That is much better than the Star Alliance facility in T1.
The Great British Lounge at breakfast time is pastries, cereal and porridge. Not great. BMI's The London Lounge, for domestic departures from T1, is just pastries.
Qatar are in the process of building a dedicated lounge at T4. Unlike the Gulf Air, Etihad and other lounges, it's not ready yet because Qatar wasted months, inexplicably, arguing that they wanted to remain in T3.
Far nicer ambiance than the LHR Star lounge....and even the BMI Great British Lounge may not provide omelets...Who has visited BMI at breakfast time?
Yum. The pastries look good (yeah it is my weakness).
@ordogg SFO IFL has a better food spread. I'd agree with you vis-a-vis ORD IFL though.. :)
Is the old BA Galleries lounge? Although *only* a C class lounge, still nicer than UA's IFL ...
I was in ST lounge yesterday for CO111. The lady told me they didn't do boarding announcement.