We have mentioned in a number of previous articles that you no longer need to be a premium British Airways card holder or need to travel in business or first class to access an airport lounge in Heathrow Terminal 5. You can now pay for, (or use your Priority Pass to), access the Aspire airport lounge in London Heathrow Terminal 5. I recently travelled to Zurich and tried out this lounge and I wanted to share my personal experience and photos of this new lounge.
The Aspire “paid for” lounge in Heathrow Terminal 5 is found to the far south of the building on the main departures floor which is where most of the shops are. This is on the level below the BA lounges and security entry area. Basically once through security, take the first opportunity to go down a level and then turn to your right and walk to the end of the building.
This lounge is relatively small in size when compared to the lounges at Gatwick or the main British Airways galleries club lounge which we have also reviewed. It occupies a premium position with views across the airport looking down at the planes from two sides. As you enter you pass the spa and showers (£20 GBP a shower) and then turn the corner to reach a number of seating areas, a bar, a food and drink area as well as work stations. At the far end of the lounge are 6 sleep pods. These are tiny rooms with privacy curtains (slightly see through), each with a TV and reclining seat-beds which you can sleep on. When I took a look, 5 were occupied and 1 was free.
I really like this lounge. It feels intimate and offers all sorts of different seating options, almost all of which have glorious views out over the airport. The whole space is incredibly airy as a result of the design of Terminal 5. The food selection is excellent; sandwiches, mini bagels, soup with buns and scones, pies quiches, salads and olives as well as a warm pasta dish (see photos for more details). All are complimentary. There are paid food options but I can’t imagine anyone not finding something to fill them up from the complimentary offering. There was also an unlimited supply of nuts, crisps, biscuits and muffins to the side. The bar area is a proper bar with a bar tender, bar stools and a large array of alcoholic drinks (again see photos for a list of the drinks on offer).
I would specifically choose to travel from Terminal 5 at Heathrow over and above the other Terminals or other airports like Gatwick because I can access this particular lounge with my Priority Pass. You can compare this lounge to British Airways Galleries Club lounges. It is smaller but can be busy. The only criticism I have is that you have to leave the lounge to access the bathroom facilities. In every other respect, this lounge is one of my favourite Aspire lounges.
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