British Airways Galleries First Lounge, London Heathrow T3

As the largest UK-based airline, British Airways sprawls across more than one terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport. The bulk of BA’s departures leave from its main hub in Terminal 5. But many services depart from Terminal 3 as well. Here, BA has yet another London lounge: Galleries First.

Residing next door to the Galleries Club Lounge (Business), Galleries First is for those entitled to First Class lounge privileges. That’s mainly passengers departing or connecting in First Class, as well as oneworld Emerald frequent flyers. (There’s also a small dining room tucked away for BA’s own First Class flyers, but that’s separate to the main lounge offering).

Whether you’re travelling on British Airways or – as I was – another oneworld airline, here’s what’s on offer at the Galleries First Lounge in Heathrow Terminal 3.

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Location, layout and seating

After clearing security in Terminal 3, follow the signs towards ‘Lounge F’. You’ll then spot the familiar British Airways logo alongside the nearby No1 Lounge. Although this is a First Class lounge, Galleries First is, well, relatively standard. This isn’t the Concorde Room, and it isn’t the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge, so set your expectations accordingly.

If anything, Galleries First feels more like a Business Class lounge. Just one that’s harder to qualify for, making it a little bit quieter than the lounge next door. Most of the seating is relatively standard, except for the laptop bench. Where, oddly, there’s a lighted advertisement screen from one end to the other. Being forced to sit in front of an ad to do some work doesn’t feel very ‘First Class’ to me.

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I pull up a seat here to get some very welcome sunlight before flying off.

You’ll find the BA lounge down the corridor near ‘Lounge F’ signage.

These seats are perfect for a short stay.

The bar is open even at breakfast time.

Take a seat, and help yourself to the buffet.

For some laptop work, this bench is ready and waiting.

I can’t say I’m a fan of this. I’d actively avoid sitting here.

I pull up a seat here to get some very welcome sunlight before flying off.

You’ll find the BA lounge down the corridor near ‘Lounge F’ signage.

The Galleries First Lounge in Terminal 3 opens daily between 5 am and 10 pm. This makes it possible to access the space before most oneworld flights from T3. That includes departures on Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Finnair and more. But when the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge welcomes the same exact travellers, you’d only pick the BA variant if Cathay were busy and you really wanted somewhere quiet to while away the time.

Food and beverage in the British Airways Galleries First Lounge, London Heathrow T3

This visit to the T3 Galleries First Lounge coincides with breakfast. To kick-start the day, there’s a coffee wall with several DIY espresso machines at the ready. Unfortunately, no barista, but their absence is standard of a BA lounge.

For most bites, help yourself from the buffet. Hot options today are reasonably comprehensive, including scrambled eggs, sausages, hash browns and more. The chilled section of the buffet offers yoghurt and pre-cut fruits, and there’s a separate station with juice and water. But as I’m walking around, I notice QR codes by each seat.

I scan one, revealing an online ordering portal. Selections are incredibly limited – generally, it’s what’s at the buffet, but just assembled for you. For instance, scrambled eggs on toast. Or, literally, toast. But I spot one option that isn’t a DIY pick: kipper with scrambled eggs. It’s a distinctly British dish, and makes for a nice change from the DIY fare.

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Wine, wine and more wine. Perhaps, I should return later in the day.

This may be a First Class lounge, but there’s no barista here.

Most of the hot breakfast options are served via the buffet.

Mix fruit and yoghurt for a tasty snack.

Cloudy apple juice is at the buffet, while alternative apple juice comes via the QR code.

I’m visiting a couple of lounges today and have a dish on order, so I sample just a few buffet bites.

It’s handy having shower availability displayed right there, so you can plan your visit.

This may be an acquired taste for some, but it’s a nice change from typical lounge breakfast fare.

Thirsty? Help yourself to a drink. There’s no bartender here.

Even at 5 am, Champagne is ready and waiting, if you desire.

Not just one Champagne, but a choice of Champagne. Nice one.

There’s also red wine kept at cellar temperature.

Wine, wine and more wine. Perhaps, I should return later in the day.

This may be a First Class lounge, but there’s no barista here.

I’m content with coffee and apple juice this morning. But if you’re seeking something stronger, the bar opens and closes with the lounge. Yes, there’s a choice of Champagne even at 5 am, if you fancy. This is where the Galleries First Lounge outperforms Galleries Club. Other minor tweaks includes upgrades to the spirits selection. Tanqueray No. Ten in addition to the standard Tanqueray London Dry, for instance.

Lounge amenities

BA’s Terminal 3 Galleries First Lounge rounds out the offerings with on-site restrooms and shower facilities. You can use the QR code near any of seats to check shower availability and reserve one. In fact, when I’m ordering breakfast, the system proactively advises that there’s a shower available if I’d like one. Should I take a hint?

Otherwise, there’d a dedicated room for kids, with more adult-friendly seating just outside.

Wi-Fi speeds are a little on the slow side, particularly given how quiet the lounge is during this visit. Downloads average an acceptable 31.3Mbps, while uploads sit at less than 4Mbps. At that rate, cloud-based file backups or uploading videos to social media will take some time.

Accessing the British Airways Galleries First Lounge, London Heathrow T3

As British Airways’ higher-tier lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3, the Galleries First Lounge follows the usual oneworld Alliance First Class entry requirements. The image below covers these rules as a quick reference, with more detail below to help your journey get off to a great start.

You can enter the British Airways Galleries First Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 3 if you qualify as below, and where your onward flight departs from Terminal 3.

• Class of travel: First Class on British Airways or another oneworld airline (this includes Qantas).
• Connecting flights: travellers connecting between a oneworld flight of five hours or more in First Class, and a oneworld flight of less than five hours in a lower cabin. For instance, arriving in Cathay Pacific First Class and connecting onwards in BA Club Europe (Business Class) or Euro Traveller (Economy Class).
• Courtesy of oneworld status, when departing on a oneworld flight:
  • British Airways’ Executive Club Gold and Premier members (+ guest/s).
  • Qantas Platinum, Platinum One and Chairman’s Lounge (+1 guest).
  • Other oneworld Emerald frequent flyers (+1 guest).

Today, I’m flying on a oneworld airline (Finnair) with oneworld Emerald status (Qantas Platinum). This means I can access the Galleries First Lounge of British Airways (another oneworld member), even though BA isn’t involved in my journey in any way. I love it when alliances make the rules universal, easy-to-understand, and when things just ‘work’ like this!

The verdict

Particularly for a home hub lounge, BA’s Galleries First Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3 is a bit of a let-down. Other than the top-tier entry requirements and a few upgraded drinks from the self-serve bar, there isn’t much else ‘First Class’ about this space. As I said earlier, it really feels like a Business Class lounge with a few tweaks.

If you’re lucky enough to be flying First Class on British Airways itself, there’s a separate dining room with a more comprehensive à la carte service. But First Class on other oneworld airlines doesn’t usually make the cut. And, if you are flying First on BA, you’ll probably seek out a flight from Heathrow Terminal 5 to use the much more exclusive Concorde Room anyway. For that reason, we’re not giving any weight to that dining area, because so few passengers can use it.

Instead, we’re looking at this lounge from the perspective of an Aussie traveller. One who’s either flying Qantas First and chooses to lounge hop, or a Platinum-grade frequent flyer who does the same. Or even, just chooses the BA lounge one day of pure curiosity.

To that end, we have to consider the alternatives at Heathrow Terminal 3. After visiting every First Class lounge in T3, our top pick for Emerald frequent flyers continues to be the excellent Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge. With full table service, stunning airport views and a more premium design, it’s hard to beat. But sometimes, Cathay Pacific’s lounge can get busy. When you want some peace and quiet, where do you go?

One alternative is the AA International First Class Lounge. Its design is a little more dated, but still with table service and a choice of Champagne. If Cathay were busy, this would be my next-best pick. After that comes this lounge, BA Galleries First. It’s big, it’s quiet… and that’s its biggest drawcard.

I suspect this lounge is sustained from passengers who fly British Airways and think, “I’m flying BA, I’ll go to the BA lounge,” not knowing about the alternatives. But that’s where Point Hacks steps in, to help you win the game every time you fly.

Also read: American Airlines Arrivals Lounge, London Heathrow

All photography by Chris Chamberlin, who accessed the lounge courtesy of (earned) frequent flyer status when travelling at Point Hacks’ expense.