American Airlines, here is lounge for first class passengers at London Heathrow

London Heathrow is the busiest airport on the old continent, here is the largest presence of A380s, of carriers and passengers flying intercontinental. That's why all the big companies have proprietary lounges. Only Delta is missing among the insignia, but the reason is. Virgin Atlantic's clubhouse is much better than any Skyclub.

American Airlines fly from terminal 3, this is a company also used a lot by Italian passengers who stop over here to continue on the American network of the world's largest airline.

Location

We are right below the clubhouse at Virgin and this is also synonymous with an inferior product compared to what is offered upstairs.

Just follow the signs to the lounges; here we are in Zone H, at the end of the corridor that also houses Cathay, Qantas, and British lounges.

Access

AA has two lounges: an Admirals Club for those traveling business class and an International First Class Lounge, which it's not really a Flagship lounge, for all those flying first class, since American the only star carrier that still has this cabin, and passengers with Emerald status in the oneWorld alliance.

The nice thing about the status is just that. I, with a British Airways economy award ticket to fly from London to Budapest costing 50 cents + 7500 points, was invited to enter this lounge with a smile, BA pays for it anyway.

Welcome bubbles

Of course we are not talking about the traditional afternoon "saber-rattling" at the St. Regis, but every time you enter an AA Flagship Lounge you are greeted with a glass of champagne, at any time of the day or night. A custom that allows each time to taste a different label. This time it was Moet (brut and rosé).

The lounge

It's not beautiful, I'll say that right now. Compared to the other F lounges in this terminal, it is the least beautiful, but with American airlines it is always the case, the Made in America flight is a different experience than the rest of the world.

The low ceiling, the window facing the terminal and not the runway make the whole environment very dark.

And a large open space, although not large enough to accommodate all the passengers who come in and out at a constant pace.

The central area is the one serving the buffet, while toward the back of the room is a relaxation area, the only one with a view of the outside. At the opposite end is the restaurant area, with a true dining section as well.

Food & Beverage

What is never lacking in AA flagships is a good food offering; here there is a buffet where a different menu is offered depending on the time of day.

There is a rich and wide selection of super alcohols, but it lacks the classic bar counter present in almost all lounges of American carriers, here in London for example there is in both the Clubhouse and the United Club at T2.

As mentioned there is then a real restaurant where passengers with little hurry and big appetite can order whatever they like.

I settled for dessert and a second glass of Moet.

In conclusion

In this terminal 3, if you have oneWorld status, it is indeed possible to take a respectable wine and food tour, this lounge defends itself precisely in this respect, while aesthetically it is definitely the least pleasant of all the others.

The verdict

What do you look for in a lounge? Food, drink, and a comfortable place to recharge your batteries before your flight. Let's say there's almost everything here, in the sense that the spaces are underestimated, but given the large catalog of accessible lounges, that's not a problem. Food and wine-wise it is saved, but the eye wants its share, too

6.5

Rated Location

5

F&B

8

Services

6

Pro

• Welcome Champagne
• A la carte menu
• Varied buffet

Against

• Old location
• Monotonous view
• Zero services