If you’re flying British Airways to/from Heathrow and you don’t have a premium cabin ticket or elite status, you’re going to be sitting at the gate dreaming of free tea and crumpets. That all changed this summer when independent lounge operators Airport Lounge Development (of The Club fame) and Swissport joined forces and opened Aspire, the Lounge and Spa at LHR T5. The first independent lounge to open in Terminal 5, travelers can either use their Priority Pass to gain entrance or pay a fee to get in [(pre-book three hours for £35 (approximately $54.00) at www.executivelounges.com or snag walk-in access for £40 (approximately $62.00)].
I’ve been a big fan of The Club lounges in the US — in fact, my experience in PHX was truly impressive. While the prices are much higher overseas at Aspire, I still think it may be worth using if you have a long layover and need a place to relax in a more private, refined space.
Here’s the food and drink menu:
DALLAS – August 4, 2015 – Airport Lounge Development Inc. (ALD), the leading independent shared-use lounge developer in the U.S., today announced the international expansion of its network and portfolio with a flagship lounge at London Heathrow: ‘Aspire, the Lounge and Spa at LHR T5’. ALD will jointly own and operate the lounge with Swissport, one of the largest lounge operators in the world, and the leader in the UK market. While Collinson Group, the parent company of ALD, and Swissport have had a long standing partnership in other business areas this is the first formal joint venture and pairs the largest and most experienced U.S. operator of airport lounges with the UK’s largest and most experienced operator. This partnership combines experience and expertise to operate the first shared-use lounge at one of the world’s busiest terminals – London Heathrow Terminal 5.
With a high volume of connecting passengers in Terminal 5, ‘Aspire, the Lounge and Spa at LHR T5’ will be available to all travelers, regardless of airline, class of service or affinity membership. Priority Pass and Priority Pass Select Members are all welcome with their existing memberships, and those without membership can purchase day passes online or at lounge reception. Customers can pre-book three hours for £35 (approximately $54.00) at www.executivelounges.com, while walk-in access is available for £40 (approximately $62.00).
“As one of the world’s leading airports and home to 80 airlines, London Heathrow Airport is an ideal addition to our lounge network,†said Nancy Knipp, senior vice president of ALD. “We’re delighted to partner with Swissport to offer travelers an inclusive and innovative lounge experience at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5. It’s an exciting time for ALD having grown from 3 airport lounges to 10 in just under three years and we are looking forward to announcing exciting new U.S. domestic locations in the coming months.â€
Shaun Weston, Travel Services Director, Swissport commented: “The opening of the first shared-use lounge in Terminal 5 gives us a presence in one of the world’s leading airport terminals, and the partnership with ALD and our operational expertise has delivered a world-class facility.â€
‘Aspire, the Lounge and Spa at LHR T5’ is located in Terminal 5 near Gate A18 and is open daily from 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. The lounge space is dominated by soaring windows on two sides giving dramatic runway views. An extensive British-inspired seasonal food and drink menu has been created which includes a wide range of complimentary as well as premium paid for options, changing throughout the day. The lounge also features rest pods, quiet areas, work areas and luxury spa treatments from Bliss, in the first spa Bliss has opened inside an airport.
“We’re pleased to welcome ‘Aspire, the Lounge and Spa at LHR T5’ to Terminal 5, which has been consistently awarded ‘Best Airport Terminal in the World,’†said Stephen Wilkinson, Heathrow’s Property Director. “With nearly 80 million passengers annually, we’re delighted to provide a new lounge experience for travelers with the opening of the Terminal’s very first independent lounge.â€
The addition marks ALD’s tenth airport lounge in its portfolio, which further illustrates its commitment to continued expansion to airports domestically and internationally as more and more airports review options for independent shared-use lounges. ALD continues to be the leader in shared-use airport lounge operations in the U.S. and has aggressive plans for growth in the coming months.
ALD’s nine other lounges include: The Club at CVG at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport; The Club at DFW, located in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport; The Club at LAS in Terminals 1 and 3 in Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport; The Club at SJC, located in Mineta San Jose International Airport; The Club at ATL, located in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport; The Club at PHX, located in the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and The Club at SEA (concourse A ) and The Club at SEA (south satellite), both located at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Great to have this information. It will be a great help to have paid lounges at all airports.