After making my way through another incredibly slow and frustrating “fast track” security at Heathrow’s abysmal Terminal 3, I headed straight to the Cathay Pacific Lounge. (Side note: why can’t Heathrow get ”fast track” security right? This is a genuine question. Every time is is nightmarish, regardless of the departure terminal.)
Terminal 3 is genuinely awful. It's like a smaller, busier, darker, badly signed version of London Gatwick.
As a Oneworld partner airline, British Airways Silver and Gold (or Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald) status members can use this lounge without hindrance. I had read fairly dim reviews of both the British Airways and American Airlines lounges in Terminal 3, so it was a toss-up between the Cathay Pacific and Qantas lounges, and decided to go with the Hong Kongers.
The lounge is really striking even from the moment you enter. The wood panelling used is warm and welcoming, and the choice of furnishings is really beautiful. It has various nods to traditional Asian design with walls and panels that resemble traditional houses, complimented by furniture which is modern and chic (without being ‘too’ modern, and thus becoming unfashionable in no time at all). The use of gold accents was subtle but beautiful, and this worked harmoniously with the various plants, the soft, warm lighting, as well as the earthy tones of the soft furnishings in a mix of dark greens, sages, tan, oatmeal and black, all in a mix of leather and fabric upholstery. In contrast to BA’s lounges, all the furniture was in pristine condition, without scuffs, scrapes or stains - take note, BA.
The lounge also has a really nice view out onto the runway, and we could see Heathrow’s seemingly never ending traffic taking flight.
As you enter on your right, is the noodle bar, which serves up dim sum and noodles as well as small rice dishes from a limited menu. You can sit at the bar and watch the chefs cook your food which is nice, and there is a good selection of condiments to spice up your food.
Farther down the lounge is the second food area which is more of a buffet type affair. At the time of visiting, breakfast was the offering, with a very good selection from pastries to hot foods. The coffee machines were far swifter than those in the BA Galleries lounge in T5, which are glacial by comparison. This area has a nice communal vibe with a single long table lined with benches, which I think is a nice twist not normally seen - lounges often tend towards seclusion and segregation (which is fine), but it’s nice to chat with your fellow travellers and to just be communal.
The next area along contains the bulk of the lounge area, which is long, light and airy with numerous seating areas with armchairs and sofas continuing the natural, warm colour palette of the rest of the lounge.
The bar is really well stocked, and attended by friendly, polite staff. The seating area looking out onto the airfield is really cool, allowing you to sit with a companion or farther along still, you can sit in private chairs with high wings that shield you from the bustle of the lounge (although my visit was circa 0830/0900hrs, and so it was very quiet as there were no Cathay Pacific flights departing Heathrow for some time.
There is a business area with printers and the like, but I didn’t take much notice of this space. Similarly there are showers, but I didn’t venture in those either, due to the fairly tight time between passing through T3’s horrendous security experience and the (usually very organised) boarding of my American Airlines flight to LAX.
There was only a small number of staff in the lounge, but these staff were all busy keeping the place clean and tidy, much to the contrary of a BA lounge where there seems to be loads of staff doing seemingly not a lot with lots of stuff lying about.
Overall, this lounge blows any and all BA lounges I’ve been to out of the water. It’s just a far more relaxing experience, and this is subtly reinforced through use of colour, light and fabric.
The lounge is tasteful and elegant, clean and tidy, with better food and more extensive drink selections.
If you have the misfortune of passing through Terminal 3 and are flying with Cathay Pacific or have status, then bump up your mood by heading to this lounge and recharging.
It’s great. My only regret is that I didn’t have longer to relax here.