Tallinn Tier Point Run – The New Cathay Pacific Lounge at Heathrow
In this trip report:
- 400TP to Go…
- 2am at a Birmingham Coach Station and Heathrow Airport
- The new The Cathay Pacific Lounge at Heathrow
- AY3126 Heathrow to Helsinki
- Helsinki Airport Finnair Gate 22 Lounge
- AY107 Helsinki to Tallinn
- Exploring the old town of Tallinn
- Hotel Ulmestie
- Back to Tallinn Airport
- AY118 Tallinn to Helsinki
- The Finnair Gate 39 Premium Lounge
- AY381 Helsinki to Heathrow with an Airbus A350
- A Delayed Ride Home
- 200 Tier Points down… Let’s Tallinn that again!
So here we are – a new lounge.
And there’s a problem straight away – the lifts didn’t work. Not a good start considering it was a 30 minute wait to get the lifts working… and the staff realising they hadn’t switched the lifts into public mode.
Oops.
The Cathay Pacific brushstroke.
Whilst this was going on, I got chatting to people, and offered to guest a few people into a British Airways lounge. Everyone refused because 1) we’re British and 2) we all had status and 3) we were all going to Tallinn.
So, no one in need of end of year Tier Points then at all…
After that mini palava, we were all invited into the lounge
Lounge entrance from the lift.
After being blipped in, I was directed to the Business Class side of the lounge.
The first impressions you get of the room is the use of rich browns everywhere. The second impression… is the noodle bar which dominates the place
Seating was of high quality around the place, with different options for those who want something a bit different.
I love the Chinese style panelling chosen.
A manned bar was offered for those who wanted their drinks poured… or bubbly. I chose the bubbly option.
Bubbles today: Moët & Chandon
There are little details over the place – the one I loved best was a tray in a lot of tables… that had ports to charge your items with:
Let’s look at catering. Catering is either self serve, or you can raid the noodle bar. In the interests of science and because I love you all… I looked and sampled both.
So from the help yourself section, it was set out as a breakfast service:
Potatoes and Baked Beans
Sausages and Bacon (Not shown, Porridge, Scrambled egg that didn’t look like it was cooked out of powder).
Cakes and Cookies
A selection of self-pour drinks were also available.
The quality of the food is a lot better than some of the business class lounges I’ve ended up in… and that say a lot to the state some business class lounges are in at the moment, with certain operators worrying about people taking two tea bags to make a drink.
Let’s move onto the highlight – the Noodle and Dim-Sum Bar. At this time, the following was offered:
Like there’s any argument over this. It has to be the Dan Dan Mien. My new co-traveller we went for Rice Noodles with Vegetables.
We were given a pager device… and we waited for 5 minutes for them to rustle them up.
Lo and behold… noodles were served. You could add to these with help yourselves condiments. And it’s the little touches here that matter – the earthen wear used is stunning.
As for my Dan Dan Mien… they looked as good as they looked. Creamy and Pea-nutty… with a hint of spice. A bit OTT for breakfast… but since I was a hot meal down and have had a glass of bubbles.. it was a bit late now
Dan Dan Mien.
Soon enough, the visit was coming to a close as our gate was confirmed. It was time to leave this wonderful environment and brave the world that is Heathrow Terminal 3, and the fun that would be Gate 29.
Hiking time!
A short hike from the lounge, and I was outside Gate 29.
After being told to stand in the wrong queue when I wasn’t (the joy of carrying a business class boarding pass), I was beeped in to the lounge. With that done, I headed to the waiting area, and caught a picture of my plane.
The waiting Finnair Airbus A320 with the Heathrow Tower in the background
Soon, boarding was called and with my business class boarding pass, I headed down the jetbridge.
Next: Finnair London Heathrow to Helsinki.
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