Lets Tallinn that again! To Heathrow, Revisiting the Cathay Pacific Lounge

In this 200 Tier Point Adventure:

5 am is a regular part of my life. And by regular, I mean when I’m travelling mainly.

I left the Holiday Inn and headed over to the bus stop at Haddington Corner. And I got a number 140 without paying.

What’s that you say? Getting on a bus without paying? Do I love risking riding the buses with the risk of a fine? Actually – there’s a good reason why. Haddington corner is inside the Heathrow Free Travel area – meaning that bus rides (and certain Underground/Heathrow express rides) are free. I’ve talked about it here.

With four or five stops to Heathrow Central bus station, 10 minutes after getting on the bus, I was getting off. It’s so much easier than using the con that is the Hotel Hoppa.

So welcome to Heathrow Central Bus station. I think we’re all familiar with the path by now. No? Seriously – read some of my trip reports. This place features more often than not…

Once more unto the breach dear friends…

Mood lighting – check.

Up we go!

For me, was a case just follow the signs to Terminal 3 for the 10-minute walk to the terminal

Terminal 3.

Arriving at Terminal 3, I headed to the E check in area and was checked in straight away for both the outbound and return flights for this trip. With that formality done, it was time to head to security.

And my timing continues to hold out as Fast Track was just about to open.

I couldn’t plan this if I tried.

Being first through, I was first out – with the process taking less than 3 minutes. It’s nice when it happens, and things go your way.

That being said – that left me with a gulf of time to fill to wait for the Cathay Pacific lounge to open. Yes, I could have gone to the British Airways lounge – but why go there, when I can have Dan Dan Noodles in a lounge that is actually cared about?

I digress.

Moving through Terminal 3, it was quiet – even at 5ish in the morning.

It’s all so quiet… shh… shh… all so still… shh… shh…. You’re all alone… shh shh ….And so peaceful until *dah dah dah dah!*

With 5:30 rolling closer I headed to Lounge C and the Cathay Pacific Lounge

Brushstroke… check. Must be in the right lounge.

There was a short delay to the lounge opening, but around 5:40 the lifts came down, and everyone bundled in.

Cathay Pacific Lounge London Heathrow.

Amazingly, I was first in line at the check-in area and was directed to the business class lounge. This is good.

Now, a top tip – if want something cooked for you, make sure you order it when you enter the lounge – otherwise, there can be a wait for items. So my top tip – order when you get in. I went for a Pork bun and Dan Dan mien.

Condiments!

Why? Why not. I like the way they cook it here.

So in case you’ve missed it from my preview, my initial review and my update, here’s the Cathay Pacific lounge in pictures.

The noodle bar

Seating near the noodle bar

Seating near the help yourself food area

More seating

From the window – a British Airways Airbus A320 family aircraft.

I also diverted to bar to get some bubbles. Because – what the hell – 5:40 am in the morning is the perfect time to admit that you’re in a business class lounge that has a bottle of Moet that needs new friends.

The bar.

Drinks menu

Drinks? Covered.

Bubbles!

I’ve pointed this out about the lounge before – it has some little features that make passenger experience a priority. Things like WiFi that’s at a passable speed, Plugs at a reachable distance from your seat, at seat USB charging… it’s the little things that matter these days.

Time to get noodles!

My noodles were eventually ready, and I tucked into a Chinese breakfast. And it was tasty too.

Dan Dan Mein and Pork bun

Dan Dan Mein

|Isn’t this steamer the cutest thing in the lounge?

There were also a help yourself section – it was pretty much the same as before

I’ve noted this is a great lounge, but things are being polished from my visit – like various implements to eat the noodles (other than a spoon), multi-function water fountains (which can dispense cold, hot and fizzy water from them), staff being proactive.

Note the multifunction fountain on the left.

It was a good lounge to start off, and the extra polish is showing.

With the clocks ticking forward, I reluctantly left my home of a comfy chair and headed back into the wilds of Heathrow Airport – with a hike to Gate 29. Unsuspectingly, this is the time for Heathrow airport to do work on the moving walkways.

Eventually, I made it to the gate, and I was blipped in – and marked as ready to board.

The flight wasn’t boarding. It’s just to make sure you’re in the gate lounge when they’re ready to board.

I checked and I could see the little A319 waiting for passengers.

There was a short delay as boarding was prepared, but eventually, the boarding call for group 1 was made.

At that point, I left the boarding lounge I took my leave of Heathrow for around 24 hours or so.

Next: AY3126 London Heathrow to Helsinki Vantaa

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Comments

Alora says

07/02/2017 at 2:52 am

When will the link for “Can you transit Helsinki airport in 20 minutes flat” be live?
- Kevincm says
  
  07/02/2017 at 2:53 am
  
  *checks diary*… hmm. Will try for Thursday. But there’s a very short answer to that… yes – but don’t dawdle!
  - Alora says
    
    07/02/2017 at 2:55 am
    
    Thanks am looking forward to it as we have a short transit time next week.