LHR Arrivals lounge in T3? Any other tips?

[Zippy7]

Hi folks,

Flying into LHR on QF31 - I found some old threads that do not mention T3.

I'm wondering if anyone has used it/knows where it is.

Also, can anyone recommend the easiest way to get to Bournemouth from LHR.

I've never had such a long flight/journey, so would appreciate any tips.
Does one sleep on both legs, or just sleep on the 2nd leg??
What about grog consumption - stay off it or use it to help you fall asleep?

Cheers.

 

[Joshua]

You will have access to the AA Arrivals lounge. There was a trip report on it around here I think. You might want to say what class you're travelling, since arrivals lounges are not part of any OneWorld arrangement.

 

[DeSchmidt]

The AA arrivals lounge is upstairs in Terminal 3 at LHR (however you will need to be flying Business to access it - Qantas Club membership is not sufficient). After going through the border and out through the "welcoming area" turn right and take the lifts up to the next level. The AA arrivals lounge is well-signposted. The staff there will require your QF boarding pass to enter. The showers are great (especially after 22 hours in the air!) and there is a very nice breakfast on offer. Having taken the same flight a few weeks ago, I must say the arrivals lounge (provided you dont need to get into the city ASAP) is a nice way to start the day.

As for sleeping on the plane - I stayed away though the first leg, meaning that I was zonked by 2am when the flight leaves Singapore. Got a nice 9 hours before breakfast and arrival into LHR. Didnt really experience any jet lag taking that approach, but everyone is different.

A few wines will also help the sleep....

 

[TonyHancock]

Priority Pass gets you into the Air Canada arrivals lounge. (Turn left out of the arrivals hall and head towards the car rental bus stop - it is right next to it.) The food offering is a little sparse, but I tend to have a quick shower and jump on the Avis bus to pick my rental up.

Sleeping on the second leg works better for me.

As for grog I like a "medicinal" tipple, but be aware that it does dehydrate you.

 

[Zippy7]

You will have access to the AA Arrivals lounge. There was a trip report on it around here I think. You might want to say what class you're travelling, since arrivals lounges are not part of any OneWorld arrangement.

Yep - forgot to say I'll be travelling in J.
Thanks for the pointer, I will look for that TR.
Cheers

 

[Zippy7]

The AA arrivals lounge is upstairs in Terminal 3 at LHR (however you will need to be flying Business to access it - Qantas Club membership is not sufficient). After going through the border and out through the "welcoming area" turn right and take the lifts up to the next level. The AA arrivals lounge is well-signposted. The staff there will require your QF boarding pass to enter. The showers are great (especially after 22 hours in the air!) and there is a very nice breakfast on offer. Having taken the same flight a few weeks ago, I must say the arrivals lounge (provided you dont need to get into the city ASAP) is a nice way to start the day.

As for sleeping on the plane - I stayed away though the first leg, meaning that I was zonked by 2am when the flight leaves Singapore. Got a nice 9 hours before breakfast and arrival into LHR. Didnt really experience any jet lag taking that approach, but everyone is different.

A few wines will also help the sleep....

Nice one. Thanks for that. I am not in a hurry as I have the day to haul my sorry self out to Bournemouth. So looking forward to a nice starter.

I'm still not sure the best way to travel to Bournemouth - different colleagues have each suggested Train, or Bus, or Cab. I think Cab is out of the question as it would be too expensive (and probably against corporate policy). Apparently the bus is safer (no changing required, slow or really slow as the traffic can be cough??), whereas the Train is faster, but could be bad if I fall asleep on it and miss my station...

 

[Zippy7]

Priority Pass gets you into the Air Canada arrivals lounge.

Is PP something you pay for separately, or complimentary with expensive credit cards?

Sleeping on the second leg works better for me.

This sounds like the way to go. Thanks!

 

[simongr]

I am not sure if J whether you will get access to the AA lounge unless you are a WP:

All First, Business and oneworld™ Emerald passengers flying American to London Heathrow are invited to enjoy the Arrivals Lounge amenities upon their arrival (all other passengers can pay a fee of $90 USD + VAT for access to the London Heathrow lounge upon arriving). To enter, simply show your boarding pass and photo ID at the front desk. Hours: 6.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.

I have accessed it when in whY but as an Emerald.

 

[nlagalle]

I am not sure if J whether you will get access to the AA lounge unless you are a WP:

All First, Business and oneworld™ Emerald passengers flying American to London Heathrow are invited to enjoy the Arrivals Lounge amenities upon their arrival (all other passengers can pay a fee of $90 USD + VAT for access to the London Heathrow lounge upon arriving). To enter, simply show your boarding pass and photo ID at the front desk. Hours: 6.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.

I have accessed it when in whY but as an Emerald.

I read somewhere that an Emerald could get access regardless of travel class. I guess I will test the theory in October when I arrive in London!

 

[DeSchmidt]

I am not sure if J whether you will get access to the AA lounge unless you are a WP:.

I can confirm that J passengers can access the AA Arrivals Lounge without any status. I am a NB and accessed it a few weeks ago....

 

[TonyHancock]

Is PP something you pay for separately, or complimentary with expensive credit cards?

You can purchase PP separately, but mine comes with the Amex Plat charge card.

I'll be trying the AA arrivals lounge in December.

 

[tuapekastar]

See here for QF pax eligibility to use AA LHR T3 arrivals lounge (J and F can).

See here for OW Emerald eligibility to use AA LHR T3 arrivals lounge (they can, but only if arriving at LHR on an AA-operated flight)

 

[Flying Senior]

Hi folks,

Flying into LHR on QF31 - I found some old threads that do not mention T3.

I'm wondering if anyone has used it/knows where it is.

Also, can anyone recommend the easiest way to get to Bournemouth from LHR.

I've never had such a long flight/journey, so would appreciate any tips.
Does one sleep on both legs, or just sleep on the 2nd leg??
What about grog consumption - stay off it or use it to help you fall asleep?

Cheers.

Hi Zippy - we are a pair of senior cits who travelled in 2010 -BNE - LHR - slept on the second leg & after arriving in at 5.00am - walked through to the Coach station [not far[ - had a cup of coffee & caught the 7.00am coach to Bournemouth. The whole journey was a breeze and very comfortable. It is best to book your coach on line before you leave Oz. Best of Luck!

 

[simongr]

I read somewhere that an Emerald could get access regardless of travel class. I guess I will test the theory in October when I arrive in London!

I have done this flying BA whY+ as an emerald. They were initially reticent as in theory it is just a BA Gold benefit but then said that WP was the same as BA Gold.

See here for QF pax eligibility to use AA LHR T3 arrivals lounge (J and F can).

See here for OW Emerald eligibility to use AA LHR T3 arrivals lounge (they can, but only if arriving at LHR on an AA-operated flight)

As per the above it is somewhat flexible a rule.

 

[Danger]

See here for QF pax eligibility to use AA LHR T3 arrivals lounge (J and F can).

Why does the website say "eligible passengers include . . ."? To me, this is like a Myer advertisement saying "25% off sale on now, including already discounted items". So, at Myer, discounted items are on sale, as well as lots more. By using "include" in the QF footnote, this suggests that while First and Business passengers are allowed, there are others "included". There either are others or they're aren't but it reads as though there are (which I doubt there is although maybe a QF WP arriving on AA or QF could use it, who knows).

 

[ians1949]

Hi Zippy - we are a pair of senior cits who travelled in 2010 -BNE - LHR - slept on the second leg & after arriving in at 5.00am - walked through to the Coach station [not far[ - had a cup of coffee & caught the 7.00am coach to Bournemouth. The whole journey was a breeze and very comfortable. It is best to book your coach on line before you leave Oz. Best of Luck!

Have used the National bus from LHR to Ringwood/Bournemouth several times - very convenient and comfortable and much cheaper than train. To travel to Bournemouth by train, you will have to go into London first - in the end, the bus will be quicker...

Agree with others - stay awake on the first leg, then you'll have no trouble sleeping through to LHR.

 

[Tonyynot]

The quickest way to use the train is to take the Heathrow to Woking Express Railair Bus from Heathrow 5 or Heathrow Central Bus Station (every 30 mins taking 30 mins). Change to Southwest Trains at Woking and continue on to Bournemouth with 2 trains per hour direct, taking about 80 mins, and 1 train per hour changing at Basingstoke or Winchester to Crosscountry trains and taking about 90 mins.

 

[HardieBoys]

We accessed the AA Arrivals Lounge at T3 in June 2011, having flown to LHR on QF in premium economy. We are both QFF Platinum. Had to show boarding passes. It's on the 2nd floor, not particularly well sign-posted. There are a large number of showers. Free wifi. Basic breakfast with continental and some hot food options. Not as good as the old BA arrivals lounge at T3, but better than a kick in the head.

(The big thrill for us at LHR was getting access to the F lounge at T3 on a cheap-as-chips Vueling ticket with an IB flight number. Managed to drink over half a ticket's worth of booze before getting on the flight to Bilbao.)

 

[tuapekastar]

As per the above it is somewhat flexible a rule.

So it would seem. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say.

Why does the website say "eligible passengers include . . ."? To me, this is like a Myer advertisement saying "25% off sale on now, including already discounted items". So, at Myer, discounted items are on sale, as well as lots more. By using "include" in the QF footnote, this suggests that while First and Business passengers are allowed, there are others "included". There either are others or they're aren't but it reads as though there are (which I doubt there is although maybe a QF WP arriving on AA or QF could use it, who knows).

I've no idea, but I agree with your sentiments on this.

 

[HardieBoys]

We accessed the lounge as QFF Platinums, travelling on QF in Y+, no questions asked.