British Airways announced yesterday that it is be opening the Galleries First, Galleries South Club, and Arrivals lounges at Heathrow, Terminal 5. This move starts today, July 4th. This decision follows a recent American Airlines announcement that it would be moving its London Heathrow operations from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5.
American says that the move will improve the customer experience and strengthen American Airlines and the International Airline Group’s (IAG) Atlantic joint business.
When speaking about the move Business Traveller quotes American Airlines Managing Director Europe & Asia-Pacific Rhett Workman as saying:
“Moving American’s operations to Terminal 5 for the first time will greatly improve the customer travel experience, enabling faster and easier connections by working closely alongside our valued joint business partners…while our surroundings may have changed, the safety of our customers and team members remains of paramount importance and we are working tirelessly with our partners and the airport to ensure we continue to offer a safe travel experience.”
American Airlines passengers connecting onto BA or Iberia flights will have access to the Terminal 5 lounge
American’s Terminal 5 check-in desks will be located in Zone C for Flagship Business, Priority, and Main Cabin customers. American Airlines Flagship First customers will be able to check-in using British Airways’ exclusive First Wing.
American Airlines passengers connecting onto a British Airways or Iberia flight will be able to take advantage of British Airways Terminal 5 lounges, of which only one is open as the airline ramps up service following the COVID-19 pandemic.
BA has introduced hand sanitizing stations
British Airways have introduced a series of measures to ensure the health and safety of staff and passengers. Safe distancing markers and hand sanitizing stations will be throughout the lounge to aid passengers. Bathrooms and communal seating will be continuously cleaned and wiped down to a high standard. British Airways also said that it had introduced a new food service called Your Menu. The way it will work is to order your food and drinks from an online menu, and then it is brought directly to you.
Passengers will also receive a welcome card from British Airways. This text explains how to make their time at the airport more comfortable. The card is also color-coded with passengers asked to leave it red side up if they have temporarily left their seat and blue side up when they leave the lounge so that the area can be cleaned.
Concorde Room cardholders will have a special area in the Galleries First lounge
First class passengers and Concorde Room cardholders who would generally use the Concorde Room will now have access to a particular area in the Galleries First lounge.
All catering on British Airways flights will continue to be reduced with all newspapers and magazines also removed from aircraft. Passengers wishing to access British Airways media can do so using the PressReader app.
As airlines gradually begin to resume service, medical emergency air traffic is expected to remain slow. Business at Terminal five will increase now that American Airlines has moved there, and British Airways has moved its Gatwick flights to Heathrow.
What do you think about American moving to T5? If you visit the lounge in T5 let us know what you think in the comment section.
