So, I guess we’ll 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 Admirals Club in London Heathrow Terminal 3.
I last visited this lounge in February and got some beautiful 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 Admirals Club 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 business class on oneworld or holding oneworld sapphire or emerald status.
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American Airlines Admirals Club London LHR T3 Seating
This is a huge lounge. And it was empty and I mean totally, completely, 100% empty when I visited around 2:00PM in the afternoon. The lounge kept going back and back, in a way that reminded me, for similar reasons, of the huge but empty Aerolineas Argentinas lounge in Buenos Aires.
There’s plenty of seats and with two excellent lounges (Qantas and Cathay Pacific) and the British Airways lounge (which is not so nice), I doubt this lounge ever gets very crowded.
American Airlines Admirals Club LHR TV Room
Well-suited for sporting events but otherwise fairly odd, a TV room with two rows of chairs awaits eager fans…or perhaps news junkies? During my visit, the TV was turned off.
American Airlines Admirals Club London Food + Drink
A large buffet with hot and cold items, self-serve beverages including alcohol, and plenty of candy were available. The afternoon menu consisted of:
- Beef goulash
- Steamed white rice
- Savoy cabbage with caraway butter
- Tagliatelle al’ Amatriciana
Soup, scones, bread, salads, and sandwiches were also available.
American Airlines Admirals Club London Restrooms + Showers
Restrooms and shower suites are available toward the entrance of the lounge. They looked…functional.
American Airlines Admirals Club LHR Business Center
Finally, a cubicle with four desks and two desktop Dell computers was available (along with printing and faxing). How old school!
CONCLUSION
As far as Admirals Clubs goes, this is one of the nicest I’ve been in. If I was flying economy class, I’d be happy to eat here prior to my flight. That said, the Qantas and Cathay Pacific Lounge are much nicer and I’d always head to one of those two first. Maybe that’s why this lounge may never re-open.
Have you visited the AA Admirals Club at LHR? If so, share your experience.
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“Why publish a lounge review of a lounge that likely will never re-open?”
The cynical answer: you need the clicks and views to make $$$.
The less cynical answer: AA isn’t abandoning LHR, just moving terminals, so hopefully this will be a good indication of the standards AA will hopefully replicate in their new lounge.
Because as you said, this is one of the better Admirals Clubs out there, and a pretty good outstation lounge overall. True, it’s outshined by the Cathay Business Class and Qantas lounges, but I’d still take it over most of BA’s lounges at LHR. Will it still stay this empty after the move when there are less oneworld lounge options at Terminal 3? Who knows…
“That said, the Qantas and Cathay Pacific Lounge are much nicer and I’d always head to one of those two first. Maybe that’s why this lounge may never re-open.”
I doubt that is the reason why this lounge will never reopen…
As counterintuitive as it seems, these review posts make almost no money. That was certainly not the consideration. I do hope, in the back of my mind, that this lounge may come back into service one day.
But to your last point, I know why you dismissed it, but the lounge was literally empty despite AA flights to the USA. Literally empty. I think people have figured out they have several choices in T3 and chosen accordingly (most Qantas, it seems).
Matthew, great pics! You are right beautiful pics. I have spent lots of time in that lounge over the years. It is so strange to see it empty. I remember many early mornings there when it was bustling with passengers catching the many flights back to the US. As you point out, always a great place to eat before your flight, catch up on emails or have a quick meeting with your team. This lounge is on par with the United Lounge in B, which to me is a couple clicks better, but that said AA did a great job with this lounge. Hope they duplicate that in T5.
Also, I am happy to click on all your posts. It is important that all of us who enjoy your content do what we can to keep your business solvent during this tough time. That includes clicking through your site if we need a credit card. I for one appreciate what you do.
Thanks Mike! Appreciate it very much.
Ironically, I have never been to the Admiral’s Club in LHR, but only the international first class section. The space is more intimate, better buffet selections (the catering by Rhubarb is the best in the system), and better wine and spirit choices.
Review of the first class section coming on Monday. I was impressed by the a la carte section.
This lounge was useful for my 9 authorized users on my Citi card that only get admirals club access and don’t hold OW status. They generally had a bottle of Moët available up front. A nice touch for an AC.
Lol! Nice review. I am reading these because they are interesting not necessarily because I plan to visit. It doesn’t matter that it may shut down. More reviews the merrier please!
Any idea what Cathay will do with its lounge?
Hopefully keep it!
They’re moving to terminal 5 too?
No, not that I know of.
I visited this lounge last July during breakfast time. I only stayed around 15-20 minutes and did a little lounge hopping to get some steps in before my flight to Chicago. The Cathay Pacific lounge was definitely my favorite. The BA lounge was packed and I could barely find a seat. Unfortunately, my AA flight to Chicago left before the Qantas lounge opened.