I was excited to check out the brand new Etihad Lounge London Heathrow, which only reopened after a renovation in late December 2014 (the opening coincided with the introduction of Etihad’s A380 service to London Heathrow).
Etihad flies out of Terminal 4 at London Heathrow, which is certainly one of the more “exotic” terminals in terms of airlines.
London Heathrow Terminal 4
Etihad’s Heathrow Lounge is located near gate 10, in the same general area as the SkyTeam Lounge.
Etihad Airways Lounge London Heathrow signage
When you’re in front of the SkyTeam Lounge you can either take the elevator or a staircase down to the Etihad Lounge, which is one level below the main concourse.
SkyTeam/Etihad Airways Lounge London Heathrow signage
Etihad Airways Lounge London Heathrow signage
Etihad Airways Lounge London Heathrow staircase
I didn’t actually have my boarding pass when I got to the lounge, so I asked the agents if they could check me in and print it for me. They were a bit puzzled, as if they had never been asked to do that before. One agent asked the other if that was possible, and after a couple of phone calls they said they could do it.
I had to wait there for about 10 minutes while they checked me in. I don’t think I’ve ever in my life seen as many people denied lounge access back-to-back as during that period.
One guy was flying Air Serbia and wanted lounge access. The agent said the lounge was only for Etihad passengers.
One passenger was on a staff ticket in business class and insisted he was entitled to lounge access.
One person in economy said the person at check-in told him he could use the lounge.
After about 10 minutes the agent realized I was the least of their problems, and invited me into the lounge while they processed my check-in.
The Etihad Heathrow Lounge is a shared first & business class facility, so there are no special services for first class passengers. It’s a beautiful lounge, though, and designed in a similar manner to the flagship Etihad Airways Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport.
A majority of the seating was located past the entrance and to the right.
Etihad Airways Lounge London Heathrow seating
There was seating along the wall, as well as several sets of seats facing one another in the middle of the room.
Etihad Airways Lounge London Heathrow seating
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow seating
Etihad is so consistent with their lounge decor, down to the “bookshelf” (of sorts) with artifacts on it.
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow seating
There was more seating in the corner of the lounge.
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow seating
Then there was a TV area right in front of the Six Senses Spa (more on that later).
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow seating
Back towards the entrance and to the left was the dining and bar area. There was another long couch there, right by the entrance.
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow seating
And also a much smaller couch.
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow seating
The bar featured table-top seating
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow bar
The dining area was designed similarly to how it is in Abu Dhabi, with plenty of two and four person tables at which you can enjoy a meal.
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow dining area
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow dining area
There was even more seating by the window (unfortunately the tarmac views weren’t great, since you were almost at tarmac “level” due to the lounge basically being in the basement of the airport).
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow dining area
Then past the dining area were more comfortable lounge chairs, which is also where the buffet was located.
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow buffet area
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow buffet area
After touring the lounge I settled in and ordered a glass of champagne. There are servers roaming the lounge, so you don’t even have to leave your seat to get a drink or something to eat. I was quickly served a glass of Lanson, which is quite nice for a business class lounge.
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow champagne
I was also offered a breakfast menu, which seemed a bit odd given that it was around 11:45AM. The breakfast buffet wasn’t available and it was just an a la carte menu at this point. I asked when lunch would be available, and the server said “soon.”
I decided to wait until lunch was available, though for what it’s worth the breakfast menu read as follows:
Then I decided to go to the Six Senses Spa to inquire about a treatment. These treatments are complimentary for first and business class passengers. Kudos to Etihad for offering a spa even at an outstation.
Etihad Lounge London Heathrow Six Senses Spa
I asked about making an appointment, though they said appointments could only be made 20 minutes in advance. So I made an appointment about 15 minutes in advance (I was surprised there was availability).
The spa menu read as follows:
I came back 15 minutes later and had to fill out a health form, and then the therapist took me down to the hallway to a treatment room for my 15 minute back support massage.
Etihad Lounge Heathrow Six Senses Spa hallway
As is the norm, the treatment took place in a face-down massage chair. The treatment was fantastic — I felt amazing when it was done.
Etihad Lounge Heathrow Six Senses Spa massage chair
The only odd part of the spa treatment was that I’m used to their being relaxing spa music during the treatment, but instead there was a Tiesto remix of John Legend’s “All Of Me,” which doesn’t strike me as being very spa-like.
By the time I was done with my spa treatment the lunch buffet was set up. Usually I far prefer a la carte menus to buffets, but the buffet was exceptionally good for a business class airline lounge.
Not just in terms of variety, but also in terms of quality.
Etihad Lounge Heathrow lunch buffet
They had several kinds of finger sandwiches, wraps, tartlets, skewers, etc.
Etihad Lounge Heathrow lunch buffet
Then there were several types of salad, hummus, etc.
Etihad Lounge Heathrow lunch buffet
There were three hot options, including penne arabiatta, roasted cod with a walnut, lemon, and parmesan crust, and cumin rice.
Etihad Lounge Heathrow lunch buffet
There was also a dessert spread, including cheese, baklava, etc.
Etihad Lounge Heathrow lunch buffet
I hadn’t eaten breakfast, so sort of went to town…
Etihad Lounge Heathrow lunch
Etihad Lounge Heathrow lunch
I ordered a cappuccino to finish off the meal, which was served on a similar tray to how they serve it aboard.
Etihad Lounge Heathrow cappuccino
The flight was scheduled to depart at 2:05PM, but due to the aircraft having a delayed arrival, it was announced that boarding would be delayed by about 30 minutes. At 2:10PM boarding was announced in the lounge, and from there it was an easy two minute walk to gate 10.
Etihad Heathrow departure gate
Boarding began with first & business class, so I was aboard within a minute.
Etihad Heathrow departure gate
Etihad 777-300ER Heathrow
While I’ve flown Etihad first class many times before I’m always excited when I board, since I never quite know what to expect. While Cathay Pacific is consistent (almost) to a fault, Etihad is all over the place.
Etihad 777-300ER Heathrow
Etihad Heathrow Lounge bottom line
Keeping in mind that this is a business class lounge and there are no separate services for first class passengers, I was really impressed. The lounge is spacious, has a great variety of seating options, has a Six Senses Spa with complimentary treatments, and has a great food spread. It really doesn’t get much better than that, if you ask me.
It’s definitely one of the best outstation lounges offered by any airline, in my opinion.
UPDATE: Unfortunately over the past couple years, Etihad has undergone extensive cost-cutting, and some of their lounges have been significantly impacted. I haven’t visited this lounge since many of these changes were implemented.
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