Take a look at British Airways Galleries First Heathrow Terminal 5

If you have a premium cabin BA flight on the horizon then one of the things you’ll be looking forward to is the British Airways lounge. 

If you’re lucky enough to be flying first class, there’s even more to anticipate as the BA First Class Galleries lounge in Heathrow’s Terminal Five had a refurbishment this spring. Here’s the latest on what to expect if you get to visit before your next flight. 

Where is it?

The BA First Class Galleries lounge is in the South concourse at Heathrow. 

Entry is directly after the first class fast-track check-in or through the main South Lounges entrance downstairs.

Who is allowed in?

Passengers travelling First Class with British Airways, those with BA Club Gold status, plus one guest, or Oneworld Emerald members, plus one guest, are allowed in the First Class lounge. 

When is it open?

The Galleries First Lounge in Heathrow Terminal 5A South is currently open from 05:00 to 22:30 daily. Check British Airways’ live Terminal 5 page before travelling, as hours can change.

What’s new?

Self-service food in the BA First Class Galleries lounge was, in common with the airline’s other lounges, halted during the pandemic. The buffet is now back, with hot and cold options including various salads. You can also pour your drinks again. 

The QR codes of the last couple of years remain, however, so with more time to relax, you may prefer to order from your table. Use the code to bring up the menu then you can choose from the likes of pies, fishcakes, curries and vegetarian and vegan options. The breakfast menu includes a popular full English.

If self-service champagne doesn’t hit the spot, you can order from a wider range of wines and spirits, or request a cocktail or mocktail from the drinks menu. Unusually, cocktails are also available self-service because the bar offers pre-mixed concoctions. First Class passengers can now also indulge in Rock Angel, Whispering Angel's bolder sibling, as part of the upgraded wine offerings. Soft drink options include flavoured waters. There is also a coffee machine.  

And if you like to keep your indulgence on the healthy side, you may welcome the inclusion of calories on labels and menus. 

If you need to work, you’ll be pleased to find the facilities for this have been expanded again following a pandemic reduction. There are a couple of dedicated areas with desks and charging points. One is close to the sleep pods so, understandably, quieter. This British Airways lounge also has a terrace. 

A less welcome development is the loss of the lounge’s Elemis spa, with no current plans for a replacement. However,  a 'quiet space' is being created where it stands, which will provide a sanctuary for travellers.

The extensive magazine and newspaper area has also been dropped and replaced with free access to hundreds of electronic titles on your mobile, tablet or laptop through the PressReader app. 

You can check the availability of the lounge showers in BA’s app, and if you use the app to order from Fortnum & Masons or Burberry while you are in the lounge they will deliver your selections to your very seat. 

Is there an alternative lounge?

There are four British Airways Heathrow lounge options in departures at Terminal 5, located across Terminal 5A and Terminal 5B. 

In addition to the Galleries First Lounge, First Class passengers at Terminal 5 can also use the Heathrow Lounge known as the Concorde Room. This has waiter service, with your food brought either to your seat or to a dedicated dining area, so best if you have plenty of time to relax. It also offers Barista-made coffee. 

The Concorde Room is available to eligible First customers. Gold members can also gain access when they meet British Airways’ published Concorde Room threshold: 65,000 Tier Points initially, including at least 52,000 from qualifying British Airways-marketed activity, or 40,000 to renew, including at least 32,000 from qualifying BA-marketed activity.

Though it’s a step-down, facilities-wise, the business class Galleries Club Lounge is also available to first-class passengers. It’s also open to BA Club Gold and Silver members plus one guest and to Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, plus one guest. The lounge is currently undergoing renovations to further enhance the passenger experience. The updates include plush new furniture and a reimagined layout designed to enhance both the comfort and aesthetic appeal of the lounge. Additionally, there's the introduction of the Whispering Angel Bar at the B gates, with wine selections curated by the airline's Master of Wine. These enhancements aim to elevate the ambience and provide a more luxurious, comfortable setting for travellers.

You can compare the various lounges available through Oneworld airline alliance members (including BA) here.  

How to earn first-class lounge access without paying the full fare 

There are a few ways you can bring First Class lounge access within a more affordable range.

Use your tier status: Gold requires 20,000 Tier Points in one collection year. There is no minimum-flight route to Gold. Gold members can use British Airways First lounges with one guest when the relevant same-day flight and lounge-access rules are met.

You can access the Galleries First Lounge without a First ticket when you hold British Airways Club Gold status and meet the same-day flight rules. The higher Tier Point threshold applies to the Concorde Room, not Galleries First.

Check British Airways’ Terminal 5 lounge information before travelling.

You are also admitted to the lounge if you have Emerald status (the Gold equivalent) with an Oneworld Alliance member airline. 

You can’t, unfortunately, earn points towards your tier status on BA reward flights, though Virgin Atlantic’s own Flying Club scheme now lets you do this.  

Upgrade with Avios: Another way to get into a coveted BA first-class lounge without paying the full fare is to pay in cash for a business class flight and then upgrade to first with Avios. 

How to earn discounted business class lounge access

It may not be the heady heights of first, but there are more options to get into BA’s business lounges at a discount. 

If you pay for a business class flight fully or partly in Avios then you’ll automatically have complimentary access to a business class lounge. You can also earn access through your tier status (as above). 

There are also Avios-related financial products that can earn you upgrade vouchers. 

The fee-free Barclaycard Avios and the £20 a month Barclaycard Avios Plus credit cards reward you with a BA cabin upgrade voucher every 12 months if you spend over a certain amount. 

You can also earn an annual upgrade voucher if you are a member of the £12 a month Barclays Avios Rewards scheme and hold either a Barclays Premier or Barclays Personal Wealth account. 

Similarly, American Express lets you earn annual Companion Vouchers through its British Airways American Express Credit Card and British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card. The voucher covers the Avios for a second seat on a Reward Flight, or gives a solo traveller 50% off the Avios, with taxes, fees and carrier charges still payable. The fee-free card's voucher is valid in Economy only, so it is the Premium Plus voucher you can put towards Business or First, as the BA Companion Voucher rules set out.

How to earn other kinds of lounge access 

Generally seen as a step down from airlines’ own lounges, airport lounges are worth having nonetheless. Access to these can be bought, but vouchers are also offered as perks by several UK credit cards. Read our guide to credit cards and BA lounge access. 

It’s also worth noting that the paid-for Lounge Pass scheme can earn you Avios.

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