Every visit to London Heathrow Terminal 3 I am reminded how much I value oneworld status and how much I enjoy lounge hopping. This time, I enjoyed a scrumptious brunch, coffee, and later lunch courtesy of the Qantas and Cathay Pacific lounges.
Scrumptious Oneworld Layover In Heathrow T3
I’ve written about my love of LHR T3 before and can only underscore again that if you have oneworld sapphire status or are flying in business class on a oneworld carrier, you are really in for a treat. If you are flying in first class or have oneworld emerald status, you are in for an even greater treat.
After landing from Helsinki in T3, before heading over to T5 I re-cleared security in T3 (explaining that I was going to use the lounges, which was no problem) in order to enjoy the oneworld lounges exclusively available in that terminal. T3 offers oneworld lounges from American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas.
> Read More: If I Had To Pick An Airport Terminal To Live In…
My breakfast onboard my Finnair A330 flight to LHR was rather small, so I began with a “brunch” of a flat white and smoked salmon egg benedict in the Qantas Loune. It really hit the spot!
You only need oneworld sapphire or a business class ticket to access this lounge.
Then I moved over to the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge and got some work done, before enjoying a lunch of watercress spinach soup followed by roasted cod loin in mustard sauce. Once again, it was so delicious!
I love the design and decor of this lounge so much. It has aged well and just reminds of happy days in The Pier at Hong Kong International Airport.
Finally, I returned to the Qantas lounge for a flat white before heading over to T5.
CONCLUSION
I love all the lounges in T3 (including the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, which I did not have access to for this trip), but it was great to enjoy some time in the Qantas and Cathay Pacific lounges ahead of my British Airways flight to Chicago. Even if you have to switch terminals, I find the hassle is worthwhile considering the high quality of these lounges.
Can you head to T3 (many hours) ahead of a T5 departure?
Yes, no problem.
To clarify, yes, but you need to be transiting. You cannot go landside to airside in T3 (originating) with a T5 boarding pass.
That was not the case for me. I’ve had a T5 BP, started in LHR, and began my day in T3 (not on this trip, but another one). From what I could judge, it is up to the security person because when you scan your boarding pass it will indicate you are in the wrong terminal.
As an aside, At LGW I was not allowed in North Terminal when flying out of South.
Apparently, diet only applies when traveling with the family…
The Cathay lounge does seem to outdo the Qantas lounge in terms of menu items.
Not quite, but close.
I prefer the LHR CX lounge to BA’s Concorde lounge actually although I was last at the Concorde in January, 2022 when the Covid protocols were still in place. But then my favorite lounge anywhere is The Pier at HKG.
I admire your metabolism!