The independent lounges at T5 London Heathrow: Plaza Premium Vs Aspire Lounge
Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport is the home of British Airways, from here almost all [...]
LHR
United Kingdom
Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport is the home of British Airways, almost all of BA's flights and a few other airlines depart from here. There are of course all the lounges of the British carrier accessible to the passengers flying in business, to status holders Elite (at least bronze) in the Executive Club or in one of the One World companies up to the exclusive Concorde Room reserved for first class passengers.
In this article:
Passengers who do not fall under these options have two lounges available to them, located at opposite ends of the terminal: Plaza Premium (after the security checks on the left) and Aspire Club (after security checks on the right)
Lounge access
Plaza Premium
Since last July, these lounges have come off the list of the VIP lounges accessible through the Priority Pass card, this means that there is a fee for access unless you are a holder of an American Express Platinum credit card, in this case can be accessed free of charge.
Aspire Club
This lounge is included in the list of Priority Pass lounges. and therefore all cardholders can access free of charge, depending on the level of membership held it will also be possible to access with a companion without paying. If the card was obtained through an American Express, admission with a guest is always free.
In terms of crowding, I can say that at the same time. this is definitely the one where you can most easily find tail. The fact that it is the only PP makes it much more sought after and busy than the other.
Location
They are both easily accessible, as they are positioned mirroring each other in the terminal.
The hall
Plaza Premium
The sizes of the halls are similar, perhaps this one is slightly larger and mostly has an IMMENSE advantage over the Club Aspire: it has toilets in the hall. I visited this lounge at lunchtime, it was full and between social spacing and occupied seats it was not easy to find a seat, while in the other lounge there was a queue outside waiting to get in.
It offers a range of different types of seating and overlooks the northwest corner of the terminal.
Aspire Club
The size is similar and the view here is of the southwest area of the terminal.
The big problem is that it has no indoor toilet facilities and so if you want to go to the bathroom you have to go out and go to one of the public facilities in the terminal, I personally had never had such a thing happen to me
Food & Beverage
Plaza Premium
The good old buffet system is present here. At the time of my visit, it was lunchtime and the offering was self-service.
On hand were some hot dishes And then the classic sweet and savory snacks.
As for drinking, there is a bar counter where you order from the waiter and are served, as well as two islands where you can serve yourself with drinks and hot beverages.
Aspire Club
I would have liked to visit this room during lunchtime as well, but when I arrived there were nearly 20 people in line waiting to get in, so I went back a few days later on my way back from Singapore.
Here the buffet has been replaced by table service. On each station is a QR and a number identifying the table, you choose from the menu and are served.
Singular is the fact that before choosing what to eat, one must indicate through which card one gained access to the lounge. Depending on the card, the menu offering is either expanded or reduced.
In any case the choice was very varied, much more than what is offered at the same time in the Galleries South for British Airways biz passengers.
There is also a bar counter and a small buffet for hot drinks, yogurt, and other breakfast items.
In conclusion
If it were not for the lack of a bathroom in the lounge interior, the Club Aspire lounge would win by a landslide. As the holder of American Express Platinum, which also gives away a Priority Pass card you have the advantage of being able to get into both. Club Aspire is definitely better, but if it is overcrowded, Plaza Premium can be the fallback especially if you have little time to spend at the airport.
On the other hand, if the transit is long, then the advice for Platinum holders is to take the bus and Go into T3 and enjoy the newly opened Centurion Lounge.
This is just one of many reviews you can read on our site. Covid and restrictions permitting, Every Wednesday we publish a review of a lounge airport, while every Friday you can read the review of one of our flights or a hotel where we stayed.
