New Qantas Lounge Heathrow Terminal 3

[GoldCanyon340]

CX F for me. See you there

 

[JessicaTam]

CX F for me. See you there

Yep. Me too.

 

[Danger]

A post on FlyerTalk moments ago said Champagne is available on request. However, the person had to show their boarding pass and it's not clear what that boarding pass showed in order to get the bubbles.

 

[DavidFlynn]

A post on FlyerTalk moments ago said Champagne is available on request. However, the person had to show their boarding pass and it's not clear what that boarding pass showed in order to get the bubbles.

That's interesting... wonder if it's proof of being eligible by dint of travel class (F) or status (CL/P1)? Can't imagine them saying 'Bubbles for QF only!".

 

[serfty]

I saw an anecdote of a QF2 First PAX being knocked back for French bubbles a few hours ago.

That was rectified by a short walk down the corridor to the CX lounge.

(They were also knocked back on EK lounge entry.)

 

[Kangol]

What champagne is the AA LHR F/L serving? One report indicates Moet NV however I'm not sure if that is recent. Interesting that they would have different champagne houses in different lounges (LAX Taittinger, JFK Bollinger).

 

[serfty]

It was Moet 4 weeks ago in early November ... ISTR same as in the CX First lounge.

 

[Princess Fiona]

What champagne is the AA LHR F/L serving? One report indicates Moet NV however I'm not sure if that is recent. Interesting that they would have different champagne houses in different lounges (LAX Taittinger, JFK Bollinger).

It’s Bollinger now at ORD/MIA/JFK. Flagship First Dining has Taittinger at MIA/JFK. Not been in LHR recently so can’t comment but I would think when LAX re-opens mid Dec it will be Bollinger too.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

It was Moet 4 weeks ago in early November ... ISTR same as in the CX First lounge.

Yes it is Moët NV in LHR CX F along with Baron de Rothschild NV.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yes it is Moët NV in LHR CX F along with Baron de Rothschild NV.

The latter is the better drop IMHO. I tried some there last month

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So 547 bottles of champagne each day on QF9/10??? Or is there champagne in the lounge?

Sorry - coming to the thread late...

The news.com article might have been updated? Now only refers to the lounge - 200,000 bottles a year, or 547 bottles a day. Obviously a typo - no way a lounge would go through that many bottles a day. 20,000 (twenty) is probably accurate - or 54 bottles a day.

 

[Kangol]

The latter is the better drop IMHO. I tried some there last month

Similar to HKG Pier F - they have had Rothschild NV for some time now. Not surprising given that the LHR fitout is similar to the Pier F in HKG.
Never been to Pier J so I don't know what champagne they have.

Also interesting QF have a proper a la carte sit down "restaurant" for a J level lounge. How many other *O / *A J lounges have this?

 

[Daver6]

Also interesting QF have a proper a la carte sit down "restaurant" for a J level lounge. How many other *O / *A J lounges have this?

Qatar do in Doha.

 

[Kangol]

Qatar do in Doha.

Oh. I've only been to Al Safwa in DOH.
For a non-home port, QF are raising the bar for J lounges, or trying to compensate for removing F from one of their two LHR flights.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Similar to HKG Pier F - they have had Rothschild NV for some time now. Not surprising given that the LHR fitout is similar to the Pier F in HKG.
Never been to Pier J so I don't know what champagne they have.

Also interesting QF have a proper a la carte sit down "restaurant" for a J level lounge. How many other *O / *A J lounges have this?

Qatar do in Doha.

UA Polaris at ORD

 

[amaroo]

Since we've gone off reservation ... will be good to see the new LAX Flagship in a few weeks.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Since we've gone off reservation ... will be good to see the new LAX Flagship in a few weeks.

Took a sneaky peak through the door last week. If it’s anything like MIA you will love it !!

 

[serfty]

Lux Traveller article: Qantas London Heathrow Lounge opens

Some interesting excerpts:

Both bars serve barista-pulled coffee, however this is the shortfall, as there is nowhere to just walk up and get a drink yourself, other than at the Quench water bar upstairs. For a simple cup of tea, you have to ask the waiter, who asks at the bar, and then the barista makes it. Service can be slow.

There is no Champagne, but there is sparkling wine for Platinum of First Class customers, however they need to know this, and request it. It is the Petaluma Croser, a non-vintage sparkling wine. This classic blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay offers a delicate bouquet of fresh citrus and white peach with a light yeastiness on the nose. There is a dry long finish, with every ounce of the Adelaide Hills it is from.

Indded, it is the menu and drink which single out this Qantas outpost. The new lounge features the same Rockpool menu as found in Sydney and Melbourne, giving the same dining experience many passengers have grown used to in Australia.

Hmmm, I think "The same Rockpool menu ... dining experince" is not entirely accurate (S&P Squid maybe in common, but only for a couple of hours a day).

 

[La Mouette]

I received this email today from the SST:

"Be one of the first to experience our new lounge

Dear LM

We noticed that you will be departing London with Qantas soon, so we wanted to let you know that the new Qantas London Lounge is now open. Located in Terminal 3, our luxurious new split-level lounge is a sophisticated space of stone, brass and walnut, designed to embody the essence of London at twilight.

As a Platinum One member, you’ll enjoy reserved tables in the dining room, priority use of the Premium Pods and VIP Rooms.

Indulge in a deliciously fresh and healthy meal before your flight with our Rockpool-designed a la carte plate of the day featuring quintessential British dishes. Or relax at one of two signature bars, the Gin Bar on level one or the coughtail bar on level two.

Whatever you choose to do, we sincerely hope you enjoy your time at our new lounge and we would love to hear any feedback about the lounge experience that you may have."

There was no mention of the under the counter sparkling ...

But this is the first time I've heard of "Premium Pods".

I'll quiz them tonight on what a P1 can genuinely expect.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Sooo I was just in QF lounge after reserving my CX F seat. I was little underwhelmed tbh visiting at around 3.30pm.

Apart from the welcome party who are quite nice and gave me a little tour, the other staff seem very new and unacquainted. So according to the barman at the coughtail bar, they serve the champagne/sparkling to all with no restrictions on status etc. and was entirely confused when I asked who is officially entitled to champagne.

The space is much smaller than I anticipated and you cannot beat the view at CX F. The buffet downstairs opens at 4.30pm and the dish of the day kicks off at 5.30pm. If before that they just have a tikka missala, some cakes and the bar.

My flight to BUD will mean I miss the dish of the day but I am very happy with CX and likely will not bother with any future visits to QF unless later in the evening.

Overall, I will reserve judgement until I can see the evening options but if visiting prior to 5.30pm I would definitely recommend CX.