Blowin’ in the wind – British Airways Arrivals Lounge
Index:
- Don’t go you go anywhere else that’s remotely different?
- To Manchester Airport, British Airways Terraces Lounge
- American Airlines AA55 Manchester Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Automated Processing Chaos
- Crowne Plaza O’Hare
- Intstawalk: State Street Chicago
- Hyatt Regency O’Hare
- A wind of change
- Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5, British Airways Terraces First Lounge
- British Airways BA9294 Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow
- British Airways Arrivals Lounge London Heathrow
- Virgin Trains London Euston to Birmingham New Street
- The Answer My Friend Is Blowin’ in the wind…
With the go order, it was off the plane with me and into the belly of Heathrow Terminal 5
Through the magical jetbridge…
and welcome to Terminal 5.
As usual, there’s two choices – follow the crowd or follow the signs. As my Manchester flight had been cancelled, I followed the signs for the exit, as I would be heading by rail for home.
\And off we go into the depths of the airport.
I do love the views you get at this level… the imposing 747s at the gate…
As usual it was a case of dealing with the inter-terminal shuttle, and then heading for the lift when you get to the other end. Why the lift? It’s quicker than the escalators.
The big tip of course in Heathrow Terminal 5 is to skip the escalators where possible, and head for the lifts. They’re quicker 9/10 times.
From here, it’s over to the UK Border… and two choices as usual – either queue up for a manual check, or go through the automated border. For the choice that day, the automated passport queue was quicker…. so I lined up.
Automated passport gates
A short wait, and it was my turn to be processed through the gates. A short wait, and I was let through, and back into the United Kingdom.
Once through, it was downstairs and to baggage claim where my stuff appeared 10 minutes later.
Woohoo. Luggage!
Also I spotted one of these flogging SIM Cards on the way through. A word of advice to visitors – head to a newsagent or a mobile phone shop after you land. These are expensive for what they’re offering.
With my luggage in hand, it was time to push through UK Customs and finally, back into arrivals.
Welcome to United Kingdom. Costa coffee is to your left.
With plenty of time before my train was due to depart from London Euston, I made a beeline for the Arrivals Lounge. One of the nice features of a British Airways Gold Card is that you can access the arrival lounge on a long haul flight in any class.
Which if you’ve been doing long haul economy is a godsend.
Entance to the arrivals lounge
I rocked up and with a scan of my boarding pass, I was let in. After dropping off my luggage, there was one priority in my mind – and that was a shower.
I was directed to the shower rooms, where one was waiting for me.
The shower itself was powerful enough to wake me up – as well as freshening me up. The goal of the shower did it’s job.. and for me, that’s no bad thing.
Refreshed, I exited the shower and headed back into the main lounge.
Waiting water for those who need to be refreshed.
The main lounge itself is very much like a normal British Airways Galleries lounge – and that’s no bad thing.
Seating
Workbench
The main lounge area
Dining area
Of course, one of the features this lounge has is food. Hot food, cold food – it has it all, and if you’ve been on a flight that’s a had croissant for breakfast, it’s a welcome sight.
Hot items – note no bacon at that moment in time. Surprising to see kippers though.
Other hot items.
Pastries. Surprisingly, I wasn’t in the mood for one. Not sure why.
Continental style things.
Fruit and Yogurt.
Cold drinks
Internet access was reasonable enough here – the only issue was finding a working power socket – something I’m noticing more and more in British Airways lounges in recent trips. Maybe there’s a maintenance issue there – but it did involve a seat swap to get a power socket.
No matter, it provided me time to sort myself out and ready myself to deal with the national railway system as well as do what I do at places like this… write of course.
With the basics done, I wrapped up my stuff, and hauled ass. Whilst I might be in London, I’m still over 100 miles from home…
Next Heathrow Connect, Virgin Trains London Euston to Birmingham
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