New BA Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5: Raising the Bar!
By Mr Plane Guy | Travel Blogger, Airport Lounge Expert & Professional Prosecco Tester
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British Airways is planning a new lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5’s C Gates, complete with airfield views, showers and a 17-metre bar. Apparently, the next stage of airport hospitality involves making the walk to your drink a small excursion.
There is one detail to check before getting too excited: the new BA lounge at Terminal 5C is due to open at the end of 2028.
The announcement also includes a redevelopment of the Terminal 5 Arrivals lounge and a new British Airways and American Airlines First check-in experience at Terminal 3.
For anyone who has wondered when BA’s Heathrow lounges might receive some serious attention, this is a development worth watching.
Quick Answer Express: What Is British Airways Changing at Heathrow?
Project | Planned opening | Main changes |
New BA lounge at Terminal 5 C Gates | End of 2028 | Airfield views, dining and work areas, showers and a 17-metre bar |
Dedicated Concorde lounge within the T5C development | Part of the new lounge project | First passenger space with dining and private concierge service |
Redeveloped Terminal 5 Arrivals lounge | By the end of 2027 | Coffee bar, deli, larger dining areas and 59 shower rooms |
Concorde Arrivals experience | Part of the Arrivals redevelopment | Private cabanas and dining for First customers |
BA and American Airlines First check-in at Terminal 3 | Winter 2026–27 | A dedicated welcome area for eligible passengers |
These are British Airways’ announced plans, rather than confirmed opening-day arrangements.
Travelling sooner? Read my British Airways Galleries Club South Lounge review for my experience of an existing BA lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5.
A New BA Lounge at Terminal 5 C Gates
The C Gates lounge is the centrepiece of the announcement.
British Airways says construction is already underway, with the space intended to offer views across the airfield and terminal concourse. Inside, plans include separate areas for eating, working and relaxing, alongside pre-flight showers.
That combination matters more to me than a description of expensive upholstery.
A lounge has several jobs to do at once. Some passengers want breakfast and a quiet corner. Others need somewhere to work, recharge their devices or freshen up before a long flight. The design needs to accommodate those different needs without making everybody compete for the same seats.
A 17-Metre Bar: BA Has My Attention
The proposed bar will stretch for 17 metres. British Airways expects it to rank among the longest airport lounge bars in the world.
That is quite a centrepiece. Although, Plane Honest, I would still take a comfortable seat and efficient service over an impressive measurement.
The real test will be how the lounge works when it is busy: whether there is enough seating, whether food is replenished and whether the quieter areas actually feel quiet.
Those are things we will only be able to assess once it opens.
Who Will Be Able to Use the New BA Terminal 5 Lounge?
According to the announcement, access to the new Terminal 5C lounge will include:
Passengers travelling in business class.
British Airways Club Silver members and above.
First passengers will be eligible for the dedicated Concorde lounge within the development.
The full operating conditions should be checked nearer opening, particularly for guest access and any other eligibility questions.
A Dedicated Concorde Lounge at T5C
First passengers will have a separate Concorde lounge within the new C Gates space.
British Airways’ plans include private concierge service, dining and a more secluded environment, using darker finishes and richer textures.
For me, the interesting part is the location. A dedicated premium space at C Gates could make the pre-flight experience more convenient for eligible passengers departing from that part of Terminal 5.
However, this announcement should not be read as confirmation that the existing Concorde Room is closing or being replaced. BA describes a dedicated Concorde space within the new development.
Heathrow Terminal 5 Arrivals Lounge Is Also Being Redeveloped
The Arrivals lounge is getting its own transformation, with refurbishment scheduled to begin in early 2027 and the redesigned space expected to open by the end of that year.
Plans include a coffee bar and deli, expanded dining, quiet areas, work booths and 59 shower rooms, alongside premium shower suites.
After a long overnight flight, somewhere to shower and get ready for the day can be considerably more useful than another decorative feature.
BA also plans a separate Concorde Arrivals experience for First customers, including private cabanas and dining.
Who Can Use the Redeveloped Arrivals Lounge?
The announcement specifically confirms access for Club World passengers, with First passengers benefiting from the Concorde Arrivals experience.
Do not assume that the departure lounge’s status rules automatically apply to Arrivals. They are different facilities, and travellers should check the relevant access conditions.
New British Airways and American Airlines First Check-In at Terminal 3
There is a nearer-term change at Heathrow Terminal 3.
British Airways and American Airlines plan to introduce a dedicated First check-in experience during winter 2026–27.
The design will draw on the look of BA’s Terminal 5 First Wing, including a deep red colour scheme.
The announced eligible groups include First passengers, British Airways Club Gold members and above, and equivalent American Airlines members.
Priority Pass does not provide access to BA’s Galleries lounges; it covers separate participating lounges at Heathrow.
What About the Existing BA Lounges at Heathrow?
British Airways says its wider programme will eventually redesign every lounge in its Heathrow portfolio.
However, this announcement does not provide an individual refurbishment timetable for every existing lounge. There is no reason to assume they will all close together.
I will be particularly interested to see what that programme means for Galleries Club South. You can read my Plane Honest review of the British Airways Galleries South lounge at Terminal 5 for the experience these future developments will be measured against.
Flying British Airways From Gatwick Instead?
These developments are at Heathrow. They do not announce changes to BA’s Gatwick lounge.
If your flight departs from Gatwick South Terminal, my British Airways Lounge Gatwick review covers that separate experience.
You can also read my guide to British Airways flights from Gatwick, including routes and airport planning, or find out how British Airways Euroflyer differs from BA mainline.
And before you pack for either airport, check my British Airways baggage allowance guide.
New BA Lounge Terminal 5: Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new British Airways Terminal 5 lounge open?
The new lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 C Gates is scheduled to open at the end of 2028. It is not yet available to passengers.
Where will the new BA lounge be?
It will be located at Terminal 5’s C Gates, with views of the airfield and terminal concourse.
Will the new lounge have showers?
Yes. British Airways has included pre-flight shower facilities in the announced plans.
Will Silver members have access?
British Airways says Club Silver members and above will have access to the new T5C lounge, alongside eligible business-class passengers. Check the full conditions nearer opening.
When is the Heathrow Arrivals lounge refurbishment?
Work is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with the redesigned lounge expected to open by the end of 2027.
Is British Airways closing all its Heathrow lounges?
The airline has announced a programme to redesign its Heathrow lounge portfolio over the coming years. It has not announced that every lounge will close at the same time.
Plane Honest Verdict: Promising Plans, With a Wait Ahead
A new BA lounge at Terminal 5C, better Arrivals facilities and a dedicated First check-in experience at Terminal 3 are welcome plans.
The feature most likely to attract attention is that enormous bar. The things I will be looking for are comfortable seating, useful work areas, decent food and a lounge that still feels pleasant when plenty of other passengers have had the same idea.
For now, this is one to watch for future trips. The new Terminal 5C lounge is due at the end of 2028, so keep your current lounge plans separate from the artist’s impressions.
Flying before then? Start with my British Airways Galleries Club South Lounge review.
Source: British Airways announcement dated 5 October 2026. Images supplied by British Airways show proposed designs.
Getting To Heathrow
One of the biggest Heathrow mistakes people make is leaving transport planning until the last minute. If you’re travelling from central London, the:
Heathrow Express
is still the fastest option overall and if you book tickets around: 30 days in advance
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Let's be honest, very few of us remember to book Heathrow Express 30 days in advance. However, doing so can reduce the fare from around £26 to as little as £10, making it well worth setting a reminder.
Read my full guide here:
Heathrow Airport Parking
If you're driving to Heathrow, I recommend booking official Heathrow Airport parking in advance, which offers flexible cancellation up to two hours before travel.
Heathrow parking prices can become VERY expensive closer to departure.
London Heathrow Lounge Reviews:
Plane Related Travel Guides
And if you’re new to Avios, start here:
New BA Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5: Raising the Bar!
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