The British Airways Concorde Room at London Heathrow is among the most exclusive lounges available to a select few flyers. Only passengers flying first class with British Airways or other OneWorld carriers can access the Concorde Room. This is a step above the main Galleries First lounge available to OneWorld Emerald members. A select lucky frequent flyers who earn 5,000 tier points also receives access to the Concorde Room.
You must also be departing from Heathrow Terminal 5 where the Concorde Room is located. British Airways first class passengers flying from Terminal 3 have access to the Galleries First lounge in that terminal. Business travelers without status can access the Galleries Club lounge. This is the last Concorde lounge available, after the closer of the JFK Concorde room.
The British Airways Concorde Room offers an experience that is a step above all other British Airways lounges at Heathrow. The lounge staff is plentiful and the lounge is less busy than lounges which are open to OneWorld frequent flyers. Unlike the first class lounge, OneWorld Emerald elites are turned away. If you are not flying First Class, there is no access.
Concorde Room Dining
Unlike other lounges, the British Airways Concorde Room does not offer a buffet. Instead a bar menu or full service dining is available. The bar offers a smaller food menu but a more elaborate cocktail menu. In the dining area, one can enjoy full service dining and an extensive wine and cocktail list.
The main dining room has the best breakfast options, or at least the larger menu.
For breakfast I opted for the California egg benedict. It was delightful!
All food and drinks are complimentary throughout the lounge. If private dining is not your thing and you prefer something more social. You can order form the “bar menu” at the bar or from anywhere in the lounge.
Cocktails are available at both the bar or in the dining room. It’s never to early to late to start drinking!
At dinner time, a la cart options are also available. On a previous visit to the Concorde Room, I have indulged in steak and dessert!
Relax and Chill
The Concorde Room offers several places to relax before a flight. 15 minute Spa treatments are available complimentary for first class passengers. The Spa is outside the lounge, between the First Class Lounge and Concorde Room. Passengers flying first class can book an appointment 28 days in advance.
Inside the lounge, the atmosphere is more similar to a boutique hotel than an airport. With its contemporary decor, the Concorde Room decor matches many other BA lounges. The fashionable high-backed chairs and couches liter the lounge and oversize chandeliers greet guests eyes in all directions. There are also horse statues and oak wooden floors throughout the lounge. My favorite spot during a cold and wet day is near the fire-place in the center of the lounge.
Concorde Room Bar
The Concorde Room bar is a glamorous place to sit and drink while enjoying cocktails. The large bar offers high-end drinks including Johnny Walker Blue Label.
The full bar offers freshly made espresso drinks to order along with a slew of cocktails. High stools are along the bar, or the bartender will gladly bring you a drink anywhere in the lounge. The bar is decorated with an ungodly amount of crystal chandeliers.
Grab a glass of Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle from the bar, and have it refilled by one of the many staff members from anywhere.
The Concorde Room Final Thoughts
The British Airways Concorde Room is an oasis from the busy Terminal 5. The lounge has all the amenities one would expect with an old-world yet contemporary charm. British Airways Concorde Room is no hip, party like club such as the Virgin Atlantic clubhouse, yet then again it’s not suppose to be. British Airways is more refined vs Virgin’s chic and trendy style.
The British Airways Concorde Room lacks natural light, but makes up some with it’s “indoor sky deck”. The lounge also offers small sleeping cabanas which include a bed. These have recently been revamped since covid. There are also sleeping pods which allow additional spaces for people to take a nap. I did not see these as they were full when I was visiting the lounge. I’ve been told though that they are very small and claustrophobic. They cabanas are not nearly as grand as Cathay Pacific’s cabanas.
If flying in first class, make some time and experience the exclusive environment which is only made available to a select few.
