In London’s Heathrow Airport, next to the Concorde Room is the British Airways Galleries First lounge. Since British Airways customers have access to the Concorde Room, the British Airways Galleries First lounge is generally for Oneworld Emerald flyers, although I read that the buffet options at the lounge were quite nice. Because of my commitment to Premium Travel Insider, I tore myself away from Johnnie Walker Blue and truffled nuts and decided to wander over and see what this alternate lounge was all about. Was it worth the trip? Read on for my Heathrow British Airways Galleries First review and see if I should have stayed put or was rewarded for my wandering.
As a reminder, for internal “house” reviews, we score on the same 1-3 scale we use elsewhere. A 3 indicates that a given category exceeded reviewer expectations, a 2 indicates it met expectations, and a 1 failed to meet expectations. We evaluate the categories we believe are most relevant to the flight, hotel, or lounge experience.
Details
Name of Lounge: British Airways Galleries First
Location: Heathrow Terminal 5
Date: 10/21/19
Time/Length of Visit: 3:00 PM- 3:30 PM
Seating – 2/3
There was a very large array of seating throughout the very large lounge. However, when I visited at 3 PM, the place was packed – pretty much 98-100% capacity. I liked the different areas available – particularly the lengthy panoramic windows – as well as the different rooms and setups. Some had champagne, some were more business in nature, and of course there was plenty of natural light. That said, the lounge was insanely crowded, so much so that I couldn’t spend the time to figure out which seats had power and which did not. I’m going to score this a 2/3 despite this, simply because it’s a huge lounge, but the crowding situation was absolutely insane.
Drink – 2/3
The drink selections were robust for a pseudo first class lounge. There were multiple coffee machine setups, a champagne area, a full bar, and more. The only reason I don’t give a 3/3 is that I’m not sure if this was supposed to be a business lounge or a first lounge, since it’s that weird pseudo in between. If the former, it’s a 3/3. If the latter, it’s a 2/3. I’m fairly sure it’s the latter, so it’s a 2/3.
Food – Not Rated
Having eaten at the Concorde Room, I only nibbled on a pastry (it was yummy). Beyond that, I did take extensive pictures. There was a hot buffet as well as cold options available. I’m not sure I can rate this one in full confidence having not tried everything. It all looked very good, and had great selection and was kept well-stocked. In the interest of fairness I’m going to say it’s not rated, but not for lack of trying.
Cleanliness – 3/3
Despite being packed, the lounge was in quite good shape when I visited.
Bathrooms – 2/3
Yet again British Airways was going for “industrial prison chic” for their bathrooms, similar to the Concorde Room. However, these bathrooms looked to be 1990s vs. 1970s prisons and were slightly less… prisonlike. Still, not what I’d call super nice or somewhere where I’d feel like I was getting a respite from an airport bathroom. Disappointing again, but less so than before.
Views – 3/3
The entire wall had floor to ceiling windows along the length of the huge lounge with jetway views – it was pretty awesome actually. I would say the views here for planespotters far exceed those of the Concorde Room. Of course that assumes you can find a seat.
WiFi – Not Reviewed
I did not have a chance to review the WiFi since I was taking notes frantically and trying to figure out if I had time to return to the other lounge for another Johnnie Walker Blue before departing.
Heathrow British Airways Galleries First Review Bottom Line – 2.5/3
I had hoped to stay longer and fully experience the lounge, but given how insanely packed it was, my stay was more limited. I grabbed a seat to jot down my notes, nibbled on my pastry and drank an espresso, and then decided that besides an overall assessment, my time was better spent back in the Concorde Room.
That said – this lounge has a lot of potential. I suspect that if it wasn’t so insanely crowded, it would be a great place to stop by and spend some time. Of course it didn’t have the dining and drink options of the Concorde Room, but if you were in a hurry, didn’t want to deal with sit-down meals, or wanted to enjoy the views, there are many valid reasons to stop in the British Airways Galleries First over the Concorde Room.
Splash “Welcome” Graphic shamelessly borrowed from monkeymiles and their great review of this lounge because I forgot to take a sign picture and the British Airways website didn’t have any good official images. All other images are the Author’s.