LHR Arrivals Lounge

[rynorex]

Hey Guys,

Quick questions. We're flying Business on QF9 from Perth into London late December arriving at the ungodly hour of 5am. We've heard we can use an arrivals lounge prior to then using the chauffeur service to our hotel.

In short,
1. Which lounge do we have access to?
2. How busy it is usually? the 4 of us would love a shower/freshen up before heading into London.
3. How do we alert the Chauffeur that we won't be exiting soon after the plane lands?

Thanks all!

 

[defurax]

Flying J on QF you have access to AA arrival lounge in T3.
For the chauffeur I imagine you can contact QF.

 

[RooFlyer]

See here under OneWorld Arrival Lounges:

Arrivals Lounge Access Guide

It's well known that a Business class ticket - or elite airline status - can get you into airport lounges before your flight. But many airlines also offer arrivals lounge access.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Can't help with busy-ness though. You might have to pop in and try your luck.

As to alerting the chauffeur, I imagine there would be contact details given when you book it.

 

[Himeno]

There are 2 oneworld member operated arrivals lounges at LHR. BA in T5 and AA in T3. Though Arrivals lounges aren't considered oneworld lounges, so normal oneworld access rules don't apply.

To use the T3 lounge, you need to be:
Flying AA in F or J or be oneworld Emerald;
Flying BA long haul in F or J or be oneworld Emerald;
Flying QF in F or J, or;
Flying CX (marketed and operated) in F or J or be oneworld Emerald.

The AA lounge opens at 5am.

I've only used Chauffeur drive at LHR for a ride to LHR for QF2 before, but reports say that you'll need to check in with the Chauffeur drive desk in the arrivals area and tell them that you'll be stopping in the arrivals lounge for a bit and what time you want the Chauffeur to arrive. If you don't check in with the desk, they'll likely assume you aren't coming or no longer want to use the chauffeur and when you are ready to leave, there won't be anyone at the desk.

 

[samh004]

I've only used Chauffeur drive at LHR for a ride to LHR for QF2 before, but reports say that you'll need to check in with the Chauffeur drive desk in the arrivals area and tell them that you'll be stopping in the arrivals lounge for a bit and what time you want the Chauffeur to arrive. If you don't check in with the desk, they'll likely assume you aren't coming or no longer want to use the chauffeur and when you are ready to leave, there won't be anyone at the desk.

Not that I have used the service or the lounge, but last year I had a chauffeur booked but QF1 was cancelled. As I was already in SIN connecting from a different flight and due to other circumstances, I was able to get a rebooked flight on KLM instead of waiting for QF1 the next day. Long story short, I was no longer entitled to either service when I arrived, however the next morning when the QF1service I would have been rebooked onto finally made it to LHR I received a phone call from my chauffeur asking how long I would be and I had to inform them I was already in London, having arrived 24 hours prior.

TL;DR the chauffeur phoned me up when I didn't show up, YMMV.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yep as above AA arrivals lounge, multiple excellent hot showers, buffet and a la carte menu (includes Eggs Benny), Champagne on request. Never seen it packed on multiple times I’ve used it. Most recent visit 10 days ago.
On arrival into LHR head to the QF Chauffeur area (it’s obvious) and tell them you are going to the lounge and will need the car in 1 hour etc. It’s not possible to pre-book the late departure online unfortunately.

 

[rynorex]

There are 2 oneworld member operated arrivals lounges at LHR. BA in T5 and AA in T3. Though Arrivals lounges aren't considered oneworld lounges, so normal oneworld access rules don't apply.

To use the T3 lounge, you need to be:
Flying AA in F or J or be oneworld Emerald;
Flying BA long haul in F or J or be oneworld Emerald;
Flying QF in F or J, or;
Flying CX (marketed and operated) in F or J or be oneworld Emerald.

The AA lounge opens at 5am.

I've only used Chauffeur drive at LHR for a ride to LHR for QF2 before, but reports say that you'll need to check in with the Chauffeur drive desk in the arrivals area and tell them that you'll be stopping in the arrivals lounge for a bit and what time you want the Chauffeur to arrive. If you don't check in with the desk, they'll likely assume you aren't coming or no longer want to use the chauffeur and when you are ready to leave, there won't be anyone at the desk.

Thanks Himeno! (and others)

So the Chauffeur-drive service on the London end is more like a fancy taxi rank, than a guy standing at arrivals with my name? (that's disappointing! haha)

So we clear customs/immigration, head to the Chauffeur desk, advise them we're going to the lounge for an hour or so then meet them back at the desk. That seems simple enough

Thanks all for your help

 

[Burgo]

I agree, AA Arrivals Lounge is good to freshen up on arrival, and as mentioned pax need to be on QF Business or First class ticket to get in - Oneworld status does not apply and I've seen people rejected at the desk that have tried to bluff their way in.

As for chauffeur drive, I ask reception in the SYD First Lounge to contact/email (given the time zone difference) LHR First Hosts to have the CD delayed by 90 mins, and this has worked ok in recent times. Otherwise the chauffeur is at the counter waiting and they don't really appreciate being sent away and having to come back later.

As you're flying Business out of Perth, you can but only ask the Business Lounge reception to email the LHR First Hosts to have your CD delayed...good luck and hopefully they'll be accommodating.

My experience has been that if Carey don't get notified, then they'll ring your mobile asking where you are, as the chauffeur will be waiting. It is my understanding the chauffeurs are paid for a max time of 90mins, so if you're not ready as expected, someone loses out and it is probably the chauffeur not being paid for all of their time.

On my last trip into T3, I was met at the aircraft door by a First Host who confirmed they had delayed my CD as requested, which I appreciated.

Just for clarity, the AA Arrivals Lounge is outside the restricted area, so you exit immigration & customs etc, and in T3 there is an elevator on your RHS - the AA Lounge is on an upper level.


cheers

 

[kpc]

re chauffeur and using AA arrivals lounge - see my post below: AA arrivals lounge at LHR for QF F passenger

 

[Kangol]

How do they account for delays in aircraft arrival, luggage (if you checked any), customs/immigration etc? Even if the plane is at the gate on time, there are other factors that could reasonably delay you.
Good thing AU passports now can use the e-gates. It was insanely quick a few months ago. Although this was an early just after 5am arrival into T5.

Last time I did this, it was for the old QF9 and after a quick visit to the AArrivals lounge, there were other drivers waiting for their pax.

 

[Burgo]

I don't know how they deal with aircraft delays, I would expect Carey keep track of A/C ETA's, but how they work the availability of chauffeurs to match up is another thing.
Early aircraft arrivals might be a bigger problem for them - trying to get drivers onsite at an earlier time than scheduled.
As premium pax those using CD have had access to Fast Track Immigration during busy times, so they've likely got good estimates on how long it takes pax to get through arrival formalities and be at the CD desk.

cheers

 

[Per_Travels]

Thanks Himeno! (and others)

So the Chauffeur-drive service on the London end is more like a fancy taxi rank, than a guy standing at arrivals with my name? (that's disappointing! haha)

So we clear customs/immigration, head to the Chauffeur desk, advise them we're going to the lounge for an hour or so then meet them back at the desk. That seems simple enough

Thanks all for your help

I don’t think it’s quite like the taxi analogy - my understanding is that a specific driver is allocated to you, it’s just that s/he won’t be holding a sign with your name on it. Hence I always use the method recommended by KPC and send Carey and email to advise the driver that I won’t need the car for a specific period of time after landing.

 

[Nukie]

I guess that means the AA arrivals lounge won't let you in with just a Qantas Club membership?

 

[SeatBackForward]

I guess that means the AA arrivals lounge won't let you in with just a Qantas Club membership?

Thats correct.

 

[annier]

Yep as above AA arrivals lounge, multiple excellent hot showers, buffet and a la carte menu (includes Eggs Benny), Champagne on request. Never seen it packed on multiple times I’ve used it. Most recent visit 10 days ago.
On arrival into LHR head to the QF Chauffeur area (it’s obvious) and tell them you are going to the lounge and will need the car in 1 hour etc. It’s not possible to pre-book the late departure online unfortunately.

Hi
I had a similar question of Qantas (for a similar reason, wanting to freshen up and kill a bit of time before arriving at hotel) who advised I can only access lounge if I have onward flights. That would seem to contradict what I am seeing here or am I misunderstanding something? I would appreciate advice. We hope to be travelling Business but waiting on points upgrade until we know for sure.

 

[defurax]

Hi
I had a similar question of Qantas (for a similar reason, wanting to freshen up and kill a bit of time before arriving at hotel) who advised I can only access lounge if I have onward flights. That would seem to contradict what I am seeing here or am I misunderstanding something? I would appreciate advice. We hope to be travelling Business but waiting on points upgrade until we know for sure.

If I understand correclty you asked Qantas about arrival lounge access at LHR. My guess is that few people at Qantas know about the American Airlines arrival lounge at T3. As mentioned above, for Qantas passengers the access rules are very strict. The lounge is only accessible if arriving at T3 same day flying QF J or F. No guest allowed. Access not granted based on status.

 

[annier]

If I understand correclty you asked Qantas about arrival lounge access at LHR. My guess is that few people at Qantas know about the American Airlines arrival lounge at T3. As mentioned above, for Qantas passengers the access rules are very strict. The lounge is only accessible if arriving at T3 same day flying QF J or F. No guest allowed. Access not granted based on status.

Thank you! I hadn't read all the replies and I should have. Understand now!

 

[RooFlyer]

I had a similar question of Qantas

Thank you! I hadn't read all the replies and I should have. Understand now!

Thats why you are on AFF We know more than most Qantas agents.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Does QF use the same Chauffeur desk at LHR as EK? Their system appeared to be shemozzle. My one experience with same arriving LHR was on a delayed EK flight (rounded out by missed approach on the A380 ) where I waited quite a while in a waiting room with quite a lot of others. Like an indoor taxi rank.

cheers skip

 

[Flashback]

Just to be clear, status based access is allowed, but not when flying QF. Having taken a short hop across the ditch on AA in Y and no issues accessing as OWE.