United Club London Heathrow, Americans build lounges around the bar
There is one thing that is never missing in American waiting rooms: the bar counter. As we learned from watching the [...]
United Airlines
Star Alliance
LHR
There is one thing that is never missing in American waiting rooms: the bar counter. As we have learned from watching American movies and TV series, in every star-studded house there is a flag hanging on the porch, the basket always has ice ready, and every adult American the first thing he or she does as soon as he or she enters the house is to pour himself or herself a bourbon or have a beer, so it is impossible not to quench the passengers' thirst before a flight.
In this article:
American lounges know this and there is no waiting room worthy of the name devoid of the bar counter, even the smallest give up bathrooms, but not the counter. Even in small 3-level airport lounges, it is always there.
Location
This lounge is located in the satellite of terminal 2 of London Heathrow, this is the Star Alliance carrier terminal and there are 4 lounges in the satellite.
There are two Singapore Airlines lounges, the one for business class passengers and the one reserved for first class travelers. The one for Air Canada and precisely the United Club.
The lounge is located in front of Gate B46, take the elevator and go upstairs where the reception desk is located.
Access
This is where you enter if you travel in business with United, or the other Star Alliance companies or if you have Gold level in one of the companies in the same alliance.
So if you want to if you have a flight with LH from LHR to FCO, and you have time and desire to walk, you can point to this lounge instead of Lufthansa's which is located in the main body Of the terminal.
The lounge
The hall is huge, capable of holding probably more than 300 people, and it runs along the terminal with a beautiful view of the outside, but no terrace.
The bar counter is along the glass wall, and occupies the 50% of the length of the lounge, when this room is full there must be a lot of work for the bartenders.
When I visited it, it was almost deserted, because the morning flights had just left and there were just a few travelers in the room who, like me, were departing on flights from partner airlines.
The lounge décor is clean and basic, but there is everything you need in these places. Comfortable armchairs, plenty of power outlets, some more secluded areas for those who want to relax, and plenty of seats at the bar for those who want to socialize as if they were in the village.
At either end are the eating and drinking islands, only the drinking one is outside, with a small lounge in the lounge inside.
One nice thing during my visit was the absence of hot water, with the inability to take a shower. A breakdown throughout the termina, not just in the lounges.
Food & Beverage
As mentioned, the first island is right after the entrance and is the food buffet. Varied offerings, but I have no idea how reduced since the UA flights had all left and it was early for the evening ones.
On the opposite side is the beverage self-service. Classic Coca Cola fountains to choose your favorite drink, and many other alcohol-free products.
The "realm of the alcoholic" is obviously the bar counter, here unlike in the U.S. everything was free, or rather, I did not see any menu with prices of drinks not included in the basic offer.
In conclusion
Solid product, certainly being in the satellite dedicated exclusively to those who have an intercontinental flight because It takes a brisk 20-minute walk to reach it, and at least 25minutes is needed to return to the main terminal from where EU flights from Lufthansa, Swiss and the like depart. However, since there are no controls or prohibitions, it is absolutely attainable if you have plenty of time.
Pro
- The bar counter
- Lots of space
Against
- There was a lack of hot water
- Buffet, very uninviting