Photos
Review: British Airways Galleries South Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5
Share

Blog

Book A Hotel

I used the British Airways Galleries Club South Lounge in Heathrow Terminal 5 in April 2023 when my family and I flew out of Terminal 5 in British Airways Club Europe. This in our opinion, is the best Business Class lounge in Terminal 5.

It’s worth mentioning the changes to this lounge since COVID-19. Straight after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, this lounge was horribly busy, but I am pleased to report that this lounge is now much quieter, and you can now find seats without too much problem. We have also visited and reviewed the British Airways Galleries Club North Lounge in Terminal 5, the Aspire Lounge in Heathrow Terminal 5) and the Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5. The British Airways lounges are head and shoulders above the Aspire and Plaza Premium lounges.

This British Airways Galleries Club South Lounge is located where the Concorde and First Lounges can be found. It is reached by traveling down to the departures shopping area, walking towards the gates, and then traveling up two sets of escalators. The first floor houses the Concorde and First Lounges. The second floor houses the Galleries Club South Lounge.

The Galleries Club Lounges are open to Club Europe passengers, Club World passengers, and holders of Silver British Airways. The South Lounge tends to be less busy than the Galleries North Lounge. In fact, this lounge was notably less busy today than straight after COVID-19, when it was heaving. It was fairly easy to get a seat, and the seats and tables were being cleared efficiently.

This lounge is huge and spacious. It is worth heading right on entering the lounge as there tend to be more available seats at this end. That said, head left, and you get views of the outside, roof and airfield, whereas the seats on the right have no views, which is probably why this area is a little quieter.

We have tried all the lounges at Terminal 5. British Airways lounges are far superior to the Aspire and the Plaza Premium lounge, which you can sometimes access with your Platinum American Express card. The buffet on offer is impressive for an airport lounge, with numerous hot and cold options as well as an array of wines and alcoholic drinks.

This time we visited in the afternoon, and there was a large buffet offering salads, coleslaws, and couscous with or without dressing.

Hot dishes included basmati rice with chicken balti curry, beef and onion pies, mashed potato, penne pasta with mushroom sauce, cod and parsley fishcakes, and a sweet and sour sauce with vegan filet pieces. All were fairly delicious.

There was also soup, rolls, crisps, and sandwiches with three options: chicken Caesar, cheddar, and red onion on tomato bread and Falafel and hummus wraps. There was also a plant-based cream cheese and cucumber sandwich choice.

Next to the sandwiches were scones with jam and cream, apple and orange juice, fruit cake, and bread rolls. The soup was carrot and coriander with garlic croutons and chili flakes. Finally, there were nachos with tomato, sour cream, cheese, jalapenos, and crisps to pick on.

There are drinks and snack fridges throughout the lounge offering unlimited canned drinks and a huge array of teas and coffee with biscuits.

A useful British Airways help desk sits to the left of the entrance, with staff helping to sort out flight problems. There is also a useful business area with computers and a fax/photocopier, a cinema area (showing the news), and a kids’ play area.

The views outside from the one side of the lounge are limited, mainly of the roof. By comparison, the Galleries North Lounge is more open, with better views both to the inside of the airport and outside of the parked planes.

Which is the best British Airways Galleries Club Lounge In Heathrow Terminal 5?

Good question. The food and drink offering is the same, identical. The North lounge is airier, with better views and higher ceilings, but the South lounge, in my experience, tends to be less busy. If both were empty, I would choose the Galleries Club North as the best lounge in Terminal 5.

Both are great lounges, but neither is as good as the First and Concorde Lounges in Terminal 5. Take a look at the photos below and judge for yourself.

British Airways features in our top Business Class Airlines and we compare British Airways Club World vs. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class including the Galleries Lounges vs. Virgin’s Clubhouses.

Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.