Saudia has just opened a lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), one of its only lounges outside of Saudi Arabia. The facility looks quite nice, assuming you’re not looking for a drink.
In this post:
New Saudia Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 4
SkyTeam member Saudia has just opened a lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4, in partnership with Plaza Premium Group. The lounge is located across from gate 10, and is open daily from 7AM until 10:15PM.
In line with SkyTeam lounge access policies, the 140-seat lounge is open to SkyTeam first and business class passengers, as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus members, but is obviously primarily targeted at Saudia passengers, for the carrier’s up to six daily flights to the airport (three to Jeddah, and three to Riyadh). For what it’s worth, Air France, KLM, and Korean Air, also depart from Heathrow Terminal 4.
Here’s how the airline describes the design and amenities of the lounge:
The lounge features a range of luxurious offerings showcasing the warmth of Saudi hospitality, including traditional Saudi coffee and dates from the Kingdom. A premium dining experience is available through an international buffet, with a private VIP area offering à la carte dining and personalized butler service. Additional features include a bespoke London Tea Exchange experience, luxury showers with Urban Apothecary amenities, prayer rooms, and a quiet zone. Guests can also enjoy fully equipped workspaces, along with high-speed Wi-Fi and charging stations — ensuring comfort and connectivity throughout their stay.
The lounge’s design incorporates refined accessories, such as sculptures and artwork, to elevate the ambiance. Enhanced lighting installations add warmth and a luxurious feel to the space.
As you can see, the lounge has a “London Tea Exchange experience,” but doesn’t have alcohol, in line with what you’d expect from Saudia.
Here’s what Saudia Chief Guest Experience Officer Rossen Dimitrov had to say:
“The launch of our new lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4 is a testament to Saudia’s dedication to providing an exceptional travel experience that embodies the essence of Saudi hospitality. We are proud to offer our guests a premium space that combines comfort, luxury, and cultural richness, setting a new benchmark for international travel.”
This takes the place of the former SkyTeam lounge
For those curious, the new Saudia Lounge Heathrow is located in the space of the former SkyTeam Lounge Heathrow. That lounge closed in 2020 due to the pandemic. Plaza Premium ended up taking over the space.
The lounge used to be two levels, but when Plaza Premium took over the lounge, it only used the first level. The company stated that something would be coming to the second level, but didn’t state what it would be. Now we know, as the Saudia Lounge is located on top of the Plaza Premium Lounge, in the space of the second floor of the former SkyTeam Lounge.
Bottom line
Saudia has opened a lounge at London Heathrow Airport, one of its few lounges outside of Saudi Arabia. It’s always nice to see more lounge options, and this lounge looks quite elegant, though admittedly isn’t ideal for those looking to imbibe. If you’re flying SkyTeam out of Terminal 4 and have lounge access, this is worth being aware of.
What do you make of the new Saudia Lounge Heathrow?
Unfortunately the statement above “in line with SkyTeam policies” is incorrect. This lounge is only for customers travelling in business class in Saudi, as well as Saudi’s own elites (not SkyTeam Elite Plus).
Just visited today and was denied entry (politely redirected to plaza premium), was told in no circumstances is this open to SkyTeam Elite+ travelling in economy on Saudia (unless Al-Fursan).
So it's basically a purely Saudia Lounge - only access is for their own Gold frequent flyers or those in first or business.
My wife likes to drive and not have her head covered. We both support human rights - so this lounge and airline is a hard no from us. Do better people.
Except the country from where this airline is based does allow women to drive and walk in the streets without having to cover their head…
Hey - happy to list out all the human rights abuses this country is responsible for. Yes women can drive and not wear a hijab, but it ain't cool there and those that supported the drive ban removal were thrown in jail!
Hope you also boycott the USA, the UK and other Western countries complicit in human rights abuses in Palestine, Congo, Sudan etc. too seeing as you are so conscious about human rights abuses.
The article is talking about Saudi Arabia, stay on topic. We are not going to indulge your antisemitic rant. Please get help.
How was it an antisemetic rant? I was just pointing out the sheer hypocrisy in your comment, that Western countries are also complicit in human rights abuses across the world, so if you boycott Saudi Arabia for such, I expect you to do the same to them too!
They indeed recently updated some (but by no means all) of their middle-age traditions
You are an ignorant dumb ass.
STFU
Lucky, is this free speech?
Are you allowing this?
If so, I have something to say to you.
So you have done no research on KSA, right? A lot of Saudi women drive and there’s no need to cover.
But let me guess: you had no issue typing your comment in a device manufactured in China by laborers in camps that have to work 80 hours a week under full control and questionable circumstances.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a big fan of Saudi either. But let’s do better than claiming cliches that are not true.
MU also flies from T4
I'm at LHR T4 right now. It looks really nice. I'm very glad I spent the extra 60 GBP to upgrade to Business on Air France for the short flight to CDG. Otherwise, there was a wait for the Plaza Premium Lounge for Priority Pass and AMEX cardholders (people were told to scan a barcode and join a queue, and were told an estimate wait of an hour or more).
Unfortunately flying Air France today, the Saudia lounge staff said it is out of bounds for other Skyteam airlines, and that it is only for Saudia passengers :/
With like 6-7 flights per day between LHR and CDG, it's odd that Air France doesn't have its own lounge in Terminal 4. It uses the Plaza Premium lounge, which is crap. The best-kept secret may be the Gulf Air lounge. While not Priority Pass accessible, they do quietly sell day passes.
Apparently there was a plan however assume SkyTeam elites can use the Saudia lounge now. I think the cost of having its own lounge is too high and whilst AF is investing more in the premium brand KLM isn’t.
And yet, Air France has lounges at out-stations with far fewer flights.
Sadly Air France elites only have access to the Plaza Premium Lounge at LHR!
I would say it’s equally odd that BA doesn’t have its own lounge in CDG. But there you have it.
I liked to indulge in drink from time to time, but honestly when travelling I would be happy to go to an elegant lounge that serves nice non-alocoholic drinks.
That's very nice for you and we did note you're now politically correct. You can claim your reward ... nowhere.
Ugh, white people, amirite.
There are many elegant lounges which serve nice non-alcoholic drinks, nothing new here. The new thing here is that it's (to my knowledge) the first dry lounge in the UK.
Headscarves receptionist and no alcohol. Are there also public beheadings so we get the full Saudi experience?
What an awful comment you racist moron
1/ be respectful
2/ try to understand the difference between racism and the necessary sarcastic critique of a regime with an awful human rights record
Gulf Air and Kuwait in shambles
I am sober and would probably love this. Rather have good coffee/tea before a flight.
Without snark, congrats on beating your alcoholism. It'd be so much easier if we forced everyone to live by addicts' standards. Just because normal people can control themselves and live in moderation doesn't mean they can be allowed to.
Realistically, what has Europeans ever accomplished? Nobody wants to move where Europeans and European culture prevails. No, we must be more like the diverse people with the same hair color and eye color.
@France Gall: Why are you so angry? What on earth are you on about?
France Gall, if you are not trolling then you need help. You sound angry at something, don't take it out on people on the internet
I wouldn’t call this a surprise. The lounge staff downstairs were telling people about it months ago!
Looks nice. In unrelated news, since you discussed the topic, Boliviana's A330s are back!