Oneworld Alliance member British Airways (BA) is among a small group of European airlines that still offer a true first class product both on select longhaul aircraft and in bespoke lounges on the ground. Whilst most of these lounges are also open to oneworld Emerald members, at select locations BA offers a lounge bar or dining service exclusively for customers travelling in first.
On a recent first class trip with oneworld member Japan Airlines, I spent a calm afternoon experiencing the inner sanctum of BA’s London Heathrow Terminal 3 Galleries First Lounge, where the carrier’s additional touches filled an otherwise uninspired space.
Located down a long corridor off of the main thoroughfare of lounges in the terminal, the Galleries First Lounge has a separate reception to the Galleries Club Lounge, but the two share both a cloakroom and showers. As I entered the Galleries First Lounge, the receptionist almost forgot to invite me into the special First Dining Room and carelessly handed me a card that would get me access.
Once inside the lounge, passengers are immediately presented with an unmanned champagne bar flanked by banquettes. Exits on either side of the bar lead you to the rest of the lounge.
BA’s much vaunted champagne bar welcomed me in. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear
I turned right and headed straight to the First Dining Room, where a host appeared, reviewed my ticket details and the special card provided at reception, and welcomed me in.
The space occupies a room at the far end of the lounge and comprises some leather corner dining benches facing outwards, plus a couple of smaller tables. As I was the only person there, I plumped for a table with prime views of the activity outside.
The lounge also had individual seats for passengers who want to stay near the vintage champagne. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear
It is worth noting that the First Dining Room is only for ticketed first class passengers and ultra-loyal BA card holders.
The dining room also has individual armchairs. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear
Each table was laid with fine china and cutlery, mirroring what one experiences in BA’s first class cabin. On receiving the menu, I asked for a glass of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle, which is one of the finest names in champagne. BA only serves its premium wines in the dining room, with non-vintage champagne available in the rest of the lounge.
Charlie, a lounge staffer heading up the room, introduced themself and talked through the menu, which includes appetizers and mains. I decided on both the soup and salad to start, followed by the vegan curry. In a few moments Charlie returned carrying a hearty pea and mint soup, pouring it into the bowl with a flourish.
This was followed by the curry, which was flavourful but let down by overcooked rice, and finished with a beautifully presented lemon cake.
Overall, the food was enjoyable and I ate well. The charming and attentive server made it feel like a first class moment.
The soup was enjoyable, but the salad was more of a side dish than anything else. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear
As they topped up my champagne, I inspected the room itself. The fixtures and furniture are very luxurious, but the room itself is quite basic. The walls are an off-white with small nondescript pictures hung askew, whilst the carpets are grey and functional. After sampling BA’s exclusive vintage English sparkling wine I made my way to the rest of the lounge.
The Hattingley valley is an excellent introduction to English sparkling wine, but BA is wise to still offer proper vintage champagne. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear
What was notable was that the lounge was practically deserted, with only a handful of people scattered around. Immediately in front of the dining room is the buffet, with the same china offered but on a self-serve basis. On this day, the food included British classics like fishcakes. But utilitarian high chairs in this section spoiled the mood, making the space feel more like a ferry than first class.
The buffet was not terribly exciting, but BA also offers table service in this lounge as well. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear
Things improved further on, with a manned bar available for cocktails and, on the other side of the champagne bar, a large seating area with armchairs, sofas and tables alongside an expansive self service bar. This was the most inviting space in the first class lounge, mainly thanks to the lighting that centred around the large drinks tables.
A children’s play area was also present; glass walls and a door muffle sounds whilst ensuring that parents can keep watch.
The children’s area also boasted some premium toys. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear
Overall, the space was rather dark inside, and seemed to be a far cry from the flair and depth of design details seen in the Cathay and Qantas lounges next door.
The seating also did not match the sills of the windows. It felt slapdash. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear
As I sat down by the champagne bar with a coffee from the self-serve machine in the hallway, I came to the conclusion that, following my first class dining experience, there was no real reason to linger.
BA brings a slice of its first class experience to the ground in its First Dining Room in the Galleries First Class Lounge, but the rest of the space is uninspiring. Yes, the champagne bar is a nice touch, and the statement light fittings are pretty, but bare walls, bad carpets and tiny windows make it feel as if BA has this lounge on a short-term lease and needs to return it as they found it.
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Featured image credited to Fintan Horan-Stear
