As I did with my review of the adjoining Admirals Club in LHR, let’s start with a question. Why publish a lounge review of a lounge that likely will never re-open? Well, because the last six months have unleashed a cataclysmic chain of events no person could have ever predicted. And with so much uncertainty, especially surrounding the aviation industry, let’s just go ahead with my fresh review of the American Airlines International First Class Lounge in London Heathrow Terminal 3.
I last visited this lounge in February and took many pictures, as you’ll see below. Earlier this month American Airlines announced it would be moving Heathrow operations to Terminal 5, a move that is only possible now due to the severe cutbacks in service by British Airways and Iberia. But while it appears this move is permanent, let’s not foreclose the possibly that American Airlines may eventually move back to T3. With that painfully long contortion for publishing a review of a lounge that has been boarded up, let’s get started.
American Airlines International First Class Lounge London Review
Location + Hours
The lounge is located just below the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Heathrow Terminal 3. Before the pandemic, operating hours were daily from 5:30AM to 7:00PM. Access is reserved for passengers traveling in first class on oneworld or holding oneworld emerald status.
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Seating
The lounge looked tired. Not so much rundown (thought the walls are scuffed in several places) as much as dated. In fairness to American, the lounge was slated for a remodel and transition to Flagship Lounge status prior to the pandemic. Nevertheless, you’ll find comfortable chairs, plenty of power outlets (both UK and US outlets), and room to spread out.
Unlike the empty Admirals Club, there were a few passengers in this lounge. I also noticed the attendants were quite slow in cleaning it up, as used cups and glasses were stacked in several places.
Food + Drink
The highlight of this lounge is the a la carte dining area. A menu catered by Rhubarb offers a broad range of dishes throughout the day. My stomach is unable to accommodate back-to-back meals and I enjoyed a delicious salmon lunch in the nearby Cathay Pacific Lounge, but I really regretted not trying the food here. The sea bream and the wild mushroom risotto sounded wonderful.
In addition to restaurant-style a la carte dining, an adjacent buffet offers a commendable selection of hot and cold items, including creamy mac & cheese, sweet & sour pork, and chicken and leek pie, and charred cauliflower.
Alcohol was self-service and a full bar was available in addition to soft drinks, coffee, and tea.
Plus a separate Champagne section:
Candy and snacks too…
Restrooms
Restrooms, though not showers, are available in the lounge. Showers are available in the adjoining Admirals Club.
CONCLUSION
Come on, you’ve got to hand it to American Airlines. This lounge may not be beautiful, but it’s a practical lounge with a nice a la carte menu and self-serve selection plus comfortable chairs and a clean restroom. In that sense, it will be very sad if this lounge remains closed.
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Just flew AA in Flagship first class to JFK and the level of service in the lounge was spectacular. Food quality and freshness was better than BA first. Onboard service was also excellent. Purser working the flight couldn’t have been nicer and meal service was promptly serviced so I could get down to work. I enjoyed the endless Gin and Tonics and the lovely snacking station. My seat was converted to a sleeper with comfortable bedding while I changed into something more comfortable to take a nap. Seat was comfortable and I was able to close my eyes for 3 hours. Had an energizer drink after my nap and seared steak and wild vegetable medley before landing. Chocolate mouse and pear crumble cake followed and a double espresso. Overall, a wonderful experience flying on AA. Professional and seasoned staff that truly went above and beyond to make by flying experience truly 5 stars! Bravo AA!
Um, isn’t the lounge closed? I’m assuming you meant the service onboard was spectacular?
That liquor selection is pretty pathetic for a int’l F lounge…most of those are $15-$25 bottles
A few years out of date, but the BA F lounge down the hall had JW Blue from what I recall
Review of that lounge coming tomorrow.
The contrast to this lounge couldn’t be wider when you compare this to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse directly upstairs. It’s evident in the first picture and just the stairs.
I love the AA flagship at JFK it is one of the best lounges in the world. This seems like a nice alternative to the terrible BA lounges at LHR. I know everything is different now but LHR and their BA lounges were always overcrowded regardless of the time of day. Food was cafeteria quality as well. At the AA flagship the food and drink were always replenished quickly and the variety was top.
Hi, I booked travel from phl to sna to go Sept 22nd of course the money for the ticket was charged when the reservation was made in March 2020 – before covid19. Excited for the upcoming trip I checked the reservation and AMERICAN changed the flights and failed to notify me since added lay overs would have me arriving 6 hours later I cancelled the reservation and I will be getting a full 100 % refund SO SORRY AMERICAN
Hi, I booked travel from phl to sna to go Sept 22nd of course the money for the ticket was charged when the reservation was made in March 2020 – before covid19. Excited for the upcoming trip I checked the reservation and AMERICAN changed the flights and failed to notify me since added lay overs would have me arriving 6 hours later I cancelled the reservation and I will be getting a full 100 % refund SO SORRY AMERICAN