London Heathrow is a massive airport that handles 6 to 7 million passengers per month. As 14 out of 15 Oneworld airlines serve the airport, it’s no surprise that just Terminal 3 (T3) alone has 7 Oneworld lounges.
But with so many lounges, what’s a jet-lagged and confused Oneworld flyer to do when connecting? It can be stressful after a long flight to figure out which lounge to visit, so we’re here to help.
I recently visited 5 out of the 7 Oneworld lounges in London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3, analyzing and comparing them to help you decide exactly where to go.
Which Lounges Are in Terminal 3 at London Heathrow (LHR)?
You can find the following Oneworld lounges in Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport (LHR):
- American Airlines Admirals Club
- American Airlines International First Class Lounge
- British Airways T3 Galleries Club Lounge
- British Airways T3 Galleries First Lounge
- Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge
- Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge
- The Qantas London Lounge
As each lounge has its own entrance policy, it’s a good idea to double-check the rules before going in. That said, you can access several of the lounges if you hold Oneworld Sapphire status, and you can go to all of them if you hold Oneworld Emerald status. Below, I’ll run through the 5 I visited in no particular order.
1. British Airways T3 Galleries Club Lounge
This lounge was refreshed in 2023 and just added another amenity: a French-inspired Whispering Angel wine bar that serves the brand’s wine and creates Whispering Angel cocktails.
This area is toward the very back of the lounge, with a long, aesthetically pleasing bar covered with rows of bottles, the perfect hangout spot before you hit St. Tropez or Ibiza.
The rest of the lounge has various seating areas, including ones with windows where you can admire aircraft, as well as ones with power outlets, spots for working, and zones for eating.
Although I wasn’t traveling with my son, there were 2 amenities I knew he would have loved: the colorful, toy-filled playroom and the waffle-and-pancake breakfast station, where you could create your own carb-loaded breakfast with all the toppings you liked.
Beyond that, the lounge had all the usual suspects, with food (I went at breakfast time, so it had fresh fruit, eggs, hash browns, and more) and showers.
Although the lounge felt like an office in some areas, it was a perfectly nice place to hang out before a flight — especially for families with kids.
Location: Zone F
How to enter: Enter when traveling in first class or business class while holding The British Airways Club Gold and Silver status (with 1 guest), having Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status (with 1 guest), or being Aer Lingus AerClub Platinum and Concierge members (with 1 guest) and traveling on a transatlantic itinerary, excluding the Caribbean.
Who should go: Families with small children, AvGeeks, and French rosé lovers
2. British Airways T3 Galleries First Lounge
The British Airways T3 Galleries First Lounge feels more posh (though a little dated), with modern chandelier lighting and more natural light, including tarmac views.
The vibe is similar to the Galleries Club Lounge, just a bit more sophisticated, with refined seating areas. There’s also a kids playroom, ideal for families traveling together.
The main thing you’re getting with the First Lounge is privacy. You find fewer people in this lounge, and privacy equals luxury.
There’s also a special dining area where you can order à la carte meals like venison, sea bass, or a Concorde hamburger (with bacon and blue cheese).
Location: Zone F, right next to the Galleries Club Lounge
How to enter: Enter when traveling in first class or by holding The British Airways Club Gold status (with 1 guest) or Oneworld Emerald status (with 1 guest).
Who should go: Families with small children, those looking for privacy, peace and quiet, and a more luxurious lounge experience without as many other people
3. Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge
If I had to pick, the Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge and neighboring First Class Lounge would be my favorites, mainly because they feel unique, Asian-inspired, and a step above the others.
The lounge’s style feels distinctly Asian, decked out in warm wood and lit by low-hanging lights, with lots of live plants for a touch of green.
The lounge features a noodle and dim sum bar with restaurant-style seating. You can munch on Asian-inspired snacks like pandan chia pudding, as well as yogurt and fruit.
The bar whips up signature cocktails, and there’s plenty of plane-spotting to be had, as many seats overlook the tarmac. In the back, there’s a small area with suite-like chairs where you can snooze or work quietly.
I will say that this lounge was the most crowded of all the lounges, probably because it’s the nicest (at least in my opinion). So expect a nice experience, but not necessarily a private one.
Location: Near gate 11 in Terminal 3
How to enter: Enter when traveling on a Oneworld airline in business class, first class, or by holding Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status.
Who should go: Solo travelers, couples, anyone who loves Asian food, and anyone who doesn’t mind a more crowded lounge
4. Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge
Although this lounge is quite small, the plus is that it’s not nearly as crowded as the business class lounge. It feels more personal, with fewer visitors, although the decor is similar, and it has expansive windows. Guests can relax in comfortable seats overlooking the runway and enjoy plenty of snacks and drinks.
There’s a dining menu featuring both Western and Asian dishes.
You can order and eat in a small dining room (though the food is prepared at the noodle bar in the business class lounge next door).
Lounge visitors have access to the same bathrooms and showers as business class lounge guests.
Location: Near gate 11 in Terminal 3
How to enter: Enter when traveling on a Oneworld airline in first class or by holding Oneworld Emerald status.
Who should go: Solo travelers, couples, and anyone who wants a premium lounge experience with fewer people but doesn’t mind a smaller space
5. Qantas London Lounge
The best perk of the Qantas London Lounge is that it feels spacious and relatively empty. Because it’s spread across 2 floors, you have plenty of options for where to go.
Downstairs is the spot for hanging out at the bar, but if I wanted to work or rest, I’d head upstairs all the way in the back for preflight serenity.
Upstairs, there’s also a signature circle bar beneath a strange medieval-style lighting fixture where you can get drinks and snacks.
While the lounge isn’t particularly new or stylish, it’s comfortable and offers amenities like showers, a dining menu, and runway views.
Location: Lounge B, gate 1
How to enter: Enter when traveling on a Oneworld airline in business class, first class, or by holding Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status.
Who should go: Those who want to hang out at the bar or anyone who wants to work or rest quietly
A Note on American Airlines Lounges in London Heathrow T3
I’ve had plenty of stateside AA lounge experiences, which is why I left these 2 off the list. While I don’t mind an American Airlines Admirals Club (accessible to those flying business or who hold Sapphire Oneworld status) or an American Airlines International First Class Lounge (accessible to those flying first class or who hold Emerald Oneworld status), I can visit these lounge types back in the U.S.
When I’m abroad, I prefer lounges from European or Asian airlines. The only reason I might consider going into an American Airlines lounge at Heathrow is if I were flying American and facing delays or cancellations, because an AA rep in the lounge might be able to help me further.
Another case for going to the Admirals Club is if you have a credit card that gives you access — especially helpful if you’re flying a non-Oneworld carrier or flying in economy or premium economy.
For example, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® both offer cardholders 4 Admirals Club passes annually, while the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers full Admirals Club membership.
Final Thoughts
So, which Oneworld lounge in London’s Heathrow Airport Terminal 3 is the best?
It’s subjective, but out of the 7 Oneworld Lounges in T3, I’d happily return to any of the 5 I visited here. If I had to rank them, I’d probably pick the 2 Cathay lounges as my top choices, mainly because I love the vibes, decor, and noodle and dim sum bar.
However, the lounge I’d actually go to would strongly depend on my travel situation and companions, like whether I were traveling with my family (I’d go to BA for the kids rooms and fun food and drinks, like the waffle bar and Whispering Angel bar), on my own for leisure (likely Cathay), or for business (I’d choose Qantas so I could get some work done in peace).
If you’re traveling through London Heathrow’s T3 on Oneworld and hold status or are flying first or business, consider your travel situation and companions to help you pick the best space to go to before your flight.