Questions and Answers

How does one use the T3 Virgin Clubhouse when arriving from USA in first class on Delta? Lounge inside security? Pick up bags clear customs then go back in? Go to lounge and clear customs later? Or is lounge truely before security, thus being able to collect bags do immigration then relax?

Flying Delta One, arriving LHR 12:15, then connecting to BA over at Terminal 5 flight leaving for EDI at 17:25. any help appreciated on using first class lounge . Any tips on how long to allow to get from T3 to T5 and recheck bags to BA.

Hi Tommie, you wouldn’t be able to use the Clubhouse in this situation.

The way Heathrow is organized you will be shuffled directly to either transfers (if your bags are checked through) or arrivals. You won’t be able to get back airside to T3 to use the lounge if you’re departing from T5.

You’ll also need quite a bit of time. The Delta gates are about a 15 minute walk to immigration, you’ll have to queue for passport control, wait for your bags, potentially go through customs, transfer to T5 (use the Heathrow Express for this, there’s no charge to go between terminals), check your bags with BA, go through security in T5…That’s probably 90 minutes at least. I’ve had T3 to T5 connections take two hours with staying airside the entire time!

You can, however, use the Virgin Revivals lounge after you collect your bags in T3, and before heading to T5. The lounge is landside, and open until 1:30pm, which is about when you’d want to head out anyway.