When you fly on a oneworld carrier out of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow, you have many choices when it comes to a lounge. Which on is best? While I have a personal answer, it really depends upon what you are looking for in a lounge.
The Best Oneworld Lounge In London Heathrow Terminal 3
American Airlines Admirals Club (oneworld Sapphire)
This is a nicer, larger, and more spacious Admirals Club than many of its U.S. counterparts with a nice buffet spread, clean restrooms and showers, and nice tarmac reviews. What I liked about this lounge is that it was empty during my visit. It seems people like using the other lounges in the terminal.
Note that this lounge is currently closed and may not re-open if American Airlines makes operations in Terminal 5 permanent.
Best for: quiet, space (in the afternoon at least)
Cons: food and drink options inferior to other lounges nearby
> Read More: American Airlines International First Class Lounge London (LHR) Review
American Airlines International First Class Lounge (oneworld Emerald)
I’ll give AA credit for a very nice a la carte menu in this lounge. I’ve heard from others that it is tasty too. The lounge is a bit depressing, however, in that it resembles a hospital waiting room and cafeteria. American Airlines did announce plans to upgrade this lounge prior to the pandemic.
Note that this lounge is currently closed and may not re-open if American Airlines makes operations in Terminal 5 permanent.
Best for: respectable a la carte menu
Cons: drab interior and alcohol selection quite inferior for a first class lounge compared to nearby options
> Read More: American Airlines Admirals Club London (LHR) Review
British Airways Galleries Club Lounge (oneworld Sapphire)
I began my review of this lounge with a warning to avoid it. Maybe it was just the time I was there, but it was so crowded I had trouble finding a seat. Even if you can find a seat, most seats do not have power ports. As a result, I choose to avoid this lounge.
Best for: afternoon tea
Cons: often crowded, limited power ports, feels like a dungeon
> Read More: British Airways Galleries Lounge – London Heathrow T3 (LHR) Review
British Airways Galleries First Lounge (oneworld Emerald)
This lounge has many things going for it included a restaurant area, Champagne bar, and a far better section of alcohol beverages than the nearby American Airlines First Class Lounge. There’s comfortable seating and plenty of room to spread out.
Best for: quiet restaurant, alcohol
Cons: limited power ports
> Read More: British Airways Galleries First Lounge London (LHR – T3) Review
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Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge (oneworld Sapphire)
The Cathay Pacific business class lounge is spacious and nicely decorated, with comfortable chairs, plants, and a balance of wood and stone. A noodle bar offers a very nice selection of made-to-order dishes and a barista is available for freshly-prepared coffee drinks.
Best for: noodle bar
Cons: other buffet food is good, but better in BA First and Qantas lounge
> Read More: Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge London (LHR) Review
Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge (oneworld Emerald)
Not only a beautiful lounge in terms of design, but a great restaurant with a superb choice of food and drink. The salmon dish was exceptional. A more intimate and quiet lounge than any of the others in the terminal.
Best for: a la carte dining
Cons: power ports are finnicky; my own did not work and I had to borrow one from reception
> Read More: Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London (LHR) Review
Qantas Lounge (oneworld Sapphire)
My favorite lounge for coffee in the terminal, with an always-friendly barista and Vittoria coffee. The a la carte menu downstairs (limited hours) is also not bad and I like that the buffet usually has strawberries. The white marble and velvet furniture are also my style.
Best for: coffee, no waiting for showers
Cons: more limited hours than other lounges in terminal
> Read More: Qantas Lounge London (LHR – T3) Review
How They Stack Up
Here’s how I would date the lounges, for the reasons I outline above:
7. British Airways Galleries Club Lounge
6. American Airlines Admirals Club
5. Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge
4. American Airlines International First Class Lounge
3. British Airways Galleries First Class Lounge
2. Qantas Lounge
1. Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge
CONCLUSION
Even if the American Airlines lounges do not re-open after the pandemic, you still have five choices in T3. While I always start with coffee in the Qantas lounge, the Cathay Pacific Lounge is the most comfortable of all. The good news is that with the exception of the British Airways Galleries Club Lounge, I like all the lounges in this terminal.
What is your favorite oneworld lounge in Terminal 3 at London Heathrow?
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Spot on ranking.
Fun post. Would love to see more lounge rankings from airports with multiple lounges from the same alliance. ie. Star Alliance at LHR T2, HKG, JFK.
I hit all of LHR T2 up on a trip last year – shocked that I found UA to be the best
I’ve tried UA and SQ at LHR T2 and also was surprised that I preferred UA! I thought it was a very solid lounge.
The lack of natural light in the qantas lounge ruined it for me. Loved the gin bar, but drinking it under florescent light was a buzz kill.
Cathy first lounge all the way in this terminal. Only wish it was in terminal 5 so I could use it with BA.
Adrian I’m confused about your dislike of “the lack of natural light in the Qantas lounge” on the basis that both floors have floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the apron.
I love the “Feels like a dungeon” description. I wondered why you hadn’t listed a comparison of the lounges before but I should have guessed that one was coming. Do any of the above have nap rooms? If you mentioned one I missed it.
When it involves an Asian carrier such as Cathay, Singapore, EVA, or Asiana, we all know the answer. Not only this is true for lounges, but also in all other aspects (flight attendants’ attitude, meal on board, hot food/snacks in lounges, beverage and wines…).
Good ranking overall, though I would rank both the Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge and American Airlines International First Class Lounge as tied for 4th place.
I love the Cathay lounges :(. I hope they also move to terminal 5.
In regards to Star alliance I thought I was so clever to avoid UA to go to the SG lounge. But UA is really nice. Had a good drinking session there with a mate. Next thing I remember is waking up on air canada to Toronto. 🙂
Sadly all of these lounges are now closed due to covid19 as the whole terminal 3 is closed at LHR. Hope soon they will reopen the terminal and lounges as I’m missing my fav gin bar and wonton soup!
Which lounge is best for a long layover where you may freshen up ?
Depends upon what are you are looking for in “freshening up.” I like the Aeosop amenities in the Cathay Pacific showers, but if you mean cofee the Qantas lounges wins easily.
I have SriLankan Airlines flyer program (Oneworld), but will any lounges work with SriLankan Airlines?
You have sapphire or emerald status?