After my flight from Los Angeles to London Heathrow, I checked out United’s Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 2 for a shower and breakfast.
I last reviewed this lounge back in 2014 and it really hasn’t changed. Upon entry, a lounge agent not only scanned my boarding pass but spent about a minute rustling through printed dot matrix passenger manifests to find me and highlight my name. Not sure what that was about other than a rudimentary way to monitor on which flight passengers tend to make better use of the lounge.
You’ll find the lounge just outside baggage claim on the arrivals level of Terminal 2.
There’s still seating for about 30-40 people.
Power ports are plentiful and a converter is not needed.
A buffet offers mostly cold breakfast items including pastries and baked good, fruit, yogurt, and smoothies.
An a-la-carte menu offers a number of additional cold and hot items including a breakfast panini, omelet, and oatmeal (porridge).
I ordered French Toast, served with cream cheese and berries. It was very tasty and served as a nice second round of breakfast from my cheese omelet on the plane.
Coffee is not great in the lounge…the Plaza Premium Lounge a few hundred feet away offers much better coffee.
After breakfast, I took a shower. The shower room is small, but includes ensuite facilities and Cowshed amenities (I’d imagine those will probably be replaced with the new Sunday Riley amenities once supplies are exhausted). While being escorted to the shower, I was asked if there were any garments that needed to be pressed.
Newspapers and magazines are also available. Wi-Fi is adequate.
Access + Hours
If you’re terminating in London and flying in United business class (Polaris), you have access. The lounge is open daily from 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Air Canada and South African Airways business class passengers also have access, but not travelers on other Star Alliance member carriers or Star Gold members traveling in economy class, even on the three eligible airlines.
CONCLUSION
I appreciate the availability of this lounge to freshen up after my flight. It’s worth skipping breakfast onboard and eating here if you have the time.
Sunday Riley, not Susan Brown. 🙂
Looks like a nice lounge to freshen up and not relying on potential early check-in at the hotel.
Oops. 😉
I live in London and grew up elsewhere in the British Isles and I can honestly say I’ve never heard fruit described as “far-fetched” before (as per the menu.) Around these parts, “far fetched” would refer to a tall tale.