Elegant and scenic: review Qantas VIP Lounge at London Heathrow Airport

In Europe Qantas has been flying, since time immemorial, to London Heathrow. Post covid also started flying over Rome And as of this year, it also flies to Paris. Only at the UK capital airport, however, does the company with the kangaroo drawn on its tail have its own lounge.

Normal here flies both A380s from Sydney via Singapore and Dreamliners via Perth. Waiting for the direct flight, nonstop, which is expected to arrive in early 2026. Normal then that here welcomes the many passengers on the "kangaroo" route in the best possible way.

We are at T3 in LHR, here are also the lounges of other oneWorld carriers such as British, Cathay and American, but QF has decided to treat its passengers with kid gloves and so, the consequence of this choice is a huge advantage for those who find themselves, with status, flying from London to Olbia, Perugia or one of the other routes that BA operates from this air terminal and not from its home at T5.

Location

This lounge is impossible to miss; it is just opposite the tunnel that leads from duty free to the corridors that connect with the various gates. This is where most of the lounges are and so, whether you want to or not, you have to go through here to board.

Access

Entry is permitted to all Qantas business and first class passengers and holders of status in the Australian loyalty program or any of the oneWorld airlines.

On the other hand, if you travel in business with a carrier other than Qantas, it is not certain entry because it depends on interline agreements. In my case I entered with a very normal economy ticket from BA, but with Emerald oneWorld status having access to 100% in the lounge.

If you want you can also go in for a fee, but as always I don't recommend it to anyone, sure it's nice, but at these prices I prefer to eat what I want and not what I find in the lounge.

The lounge

The hall is spread over two floors and is really beautiful.

The only real flaw is that the runway overlook is limited and not as nice as in Cathay's lounge. This results in little natural light.

That flaw removed, this lounge is truly beautiful. The central staircase, which opens onto one of the two bars in the lounge is hotel-like, not airport-like.

On the ground floor is the a la carté restaurant, a service open to all passengers of first or Emerald oneWorld members.

Here you can eat at the counter or sit at the table and be served, all very nice, neat and elegant.

Climbing the stairs leads to the liveliest part of the lounge.

The circular bar is really scenic.

I wasn't in the mood for anything so I settled for an espresso, more than worthwhile for being in London, too bad the cup wasn't "spotless."

It feels like being in a hotel lobby. Leather sofas, comfortable seating, smiling staff ready to fulfill every request.

On the opposite side of the bar is the second buffet area of the lounge. Here there is a setup with small tables perfect for a snack before boarding.

If desired, there are then two rooms designed for families, with TV and a relaxation area where you can totally isolate yourself from the lounge.

There is also a business area where you can work in peace.

Showers and toilets are available to all guests, of course free of charge.

Food & Beverage

As mentioned, the restaurant is on the ground floor and opens around 5 p.m., which is when Qantas flight departures begin.

Upstairs the buffet starts with breakfast, then around 11 a.m. is changed to all-day dining.

Of course having the chance my advice is to enjoy the service in the restaurant, too bad it just lacks a view similar to that of the nearby Cathay or BA lounge.

In conclusion

Beautiful, but not beautiful. Or rather in an airport like Malpensa would be a 9.5, But the competition here is very high and the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in addition to the Cathay lounge are definitely better, while BA's offer is lower than this and so if you travel BA my advice is to take advantage of the status and get around all these lounges while avoiding the Galleries not far away.

The verdict

The lack of a view takes a point away from the location, the fact that the restaurant is only open during Qantas flight times is correct, the buffet, however, is not up to the level of what other carriers offer, it is almost independent lounge-like, and given the price that is charged to get in for a fee, it is really too little.

7

Rated Location

7.5

F&B

6.5

Services

6.5

Pro

• The bar
• The staircase

Against

• No view