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  • Writer: Mr Plane Guy
    Mr Plane Guy
  • Jun 27, 2025
  • 8 min read

Updated: Feb 7

The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos

The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos


By Travel Expert and airport lounge champagne tester Mr Plane Guy


Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Priority Pass. I may earn a commission if you sign up through my link, which helps support my travel blog. Thank you for your support!



Let’s be honest, Heathrow is one of those airports that can go from smooth sailing to “why is there a 45-minute queue for Pret?” in the blink of an eye. But there’s a silver lining: get yourself into a decent lounge and suddenly things feel much calmer (and tastier). Heathrow lounges typically cost £40 and upwards per visit. Flying twice this year? That’s already around £80.

I’ve been in and out of Heathrow more times than I care to count, and I've visited most of the Priority Pass-accessible lounges, some great, some just... ok. Here’s how I rank them, based on my real visits.


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos

1.The Concorde Room Terminal 5:

For those flying BA First Class, the Concorde Room is still the ultimate experience. Think à la carte dining and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle.


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos

  1. Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse Terminal 3:

Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse remains the gold standard – and quite possibly the best lounge in the UK.




  1. No1 Lounge – Terminal 3

This lounge nails the balance between style and substance. Solid drinks, plated food, great views, and comfy seats.

  • Vibes: Grown-up and chilled

  • Drinks: Prosecco included

  • Watch out for: Crowds during peak hours

Now this lounge is on my radar but for up to date reviews check out TripAdvisor.


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos

  1. No1 Lounge – Terminal 2

I loved this lounge, great food and drinks concept and the decor and vibe was high end and I loved it!

  • Food: Yummy, almost healthy and light perfect before a flight! (oh that rhyme's!)

  • Atmosphere: swanky boutique hotel vibes


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos

  1. Plaza Premium Lounge – Terminal 2

Honestly, this one surprised me – generous buffet, free sparkling wine, and enough space to relax before a flight.

  • Food: Hearty buffet with veggie options

  • Drinks: Sparkling wine included

  • Drawback: No showers


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos

The Smart Way to Access Heathrow Lounges (Without Paying £40 Every Time)

Most Heathrow lounges cost around £40 per visit.

Two visits this year? That’s already £80 and upwards.

With my reader discount, Priority Pass membership starts from £48, and visits can work out from around £24.

That’s where the maths changes.


Which Plan Makes Sense at Heathrow?

For most travellers flying from Heathrow 2–5 times a year, Standard Plus (10 included visits) is the best value.

You get:

  • 10 included lounge visits

  • Access across T2, T3, T4 & T5

  • Guest access at the member rate

If you travel as a couple, those visits get used quickly and suddenly paying £40 at the door doesn’t make much sense.

Plan

Best For

Why It Works at Heathrow

Standard

1–2 trips

Lower upfront cost

Standard Plus

✈️ 2–5 trips per year

10 visits = strongest value

Prestige

Frequent flyers

Unlimited access

Cancel anytime. No airline ticket required.


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos

  1. Plaza Premium Lounge – Terminal 5

This one's perfectly fine if you want a clean seat, a snack, and a soft drink.

  • Food: OK but not memorable

  • Drinks: Decent, but no free fizz

  • Ambience: Functional rather than fancy


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos

  1. Plaza Premium Lounge Terminal 4:

If you’re flying from T4, check out my Plaza Premium Lounge Review. It's a beautifully designed space with stylish touches and genuinely good food – one of the stronger lounges at Heathrow. While it’s not exactly quiet during peak times, it still manages to feel more polished than some of the others.




  1. Club Aspire Lounge – Terminal 5

It does the job, but it’s a bit cramped and hectic and shoved right in the corner of terminal 5 but handy if your on a connecting stop over and want a shower.

  • Pros: Showers, seating

  • Cons: Feels quite small and crowded


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos


  1. Club Aspire Lounge – Terminal 3 (becoming My Lounge)

Currently undergoing a revamp into something more casual and Nordic-inspired. Previously received mixed reviews due to overcrowding, limited food, and cleanliness issues – but fingers crossed for a big glow-up.

  • Future outlook: Fresh new design expected

  • Previously: Often overcrowded with basic food


  1. Plaza Premium Blush Lounge – Terminal 4

One of the newer lounges, but the experience is… underwhelming. Online reviews consistently mention overcrowding, poor food variety, and basic amenities. Despite the fancy name, there’s little here to justify a visit over the main Plaza Premium lounge just down the hall.

  • TripAdvisor rating: Mixed to negative

  • Common complaints: Long queues, limited hot food, chaotic vibe

  • Recommendation: Skip it unless every other lounge is full


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos.

London Heathrow Lounge Reviews

Looking for more Heathrow lounge reviews? You’ll find full write-ups linked throughout this post.



How to Access Airport Lounges in 2026

Whether you’re planning to visit these brand-new spaces or already dreaming of your next trip, securing lounge access doesn’t have to be costly. Here are some easy ways to gain complimentary access:


Credit Cards Offering Free Lounge Access:

  1. American Express Platinum Card:

    • Comes with two Priority Pass memberships, allowing a family of four to enjoy lounge access.

    • Includes entry to over 1,500 lounges globally, plus Eurostar, Lufthansa, and Delta lounges.


  2. American Express Preferred Rewards Gold:

    • Provides four complimentary lounge visits per year.

    • Additional visits are priced affordably at £24 per entry.

Using these cards can make premium lounge experiences more accessible without breaking the bank.


3. Priority Pass, If you don't get access to airport lounges from your credit card you can just buy a Priority Pass directly.

Before you jet off, why not start your trip in style? I’ve secured a 30% discount just for my readers.

  • Normally £69/year

  • With my code: just £48

  • Includes food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfy seats far from the gate chaos


Heathrow Airport Lounge Comparison Table (2026)

Lounge Name

Terminal

Access Type

Highlights

Watch Outs

Rating

No1 Lounge

T3

Priority Pass / Paid

Stylish, prosecco, decent food

Busy at peak times

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Plaza Premium Lounge

T2

Priority Pass / Paid

Great buffet, sparkling wine

No showers

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Plaza Premium Lounge

T5

Priority Pass / Paid

Clean, reliable

Lacks wow factor

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Club Aspire Lounge

T5

Priority Pass / Paid

Cramped

Cramped and rushed

⭐⭐⭐☆☆

No1 Lounge

T2

Priority Pass / Paid

Boujie and Boutique

Quite dark, no daylight

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Virgin Clubhouse

T3

Upper Class Only

Cocktails, dining, cool design

Not accessible without Virgin UC

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Concorde Room

T5

BA First Class Only

Private booths, premium dining

Only for top-tier BA flyers

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Plaza Premium Lounge

T4

Priority Pass / Paid

Stylish decor, great food

Can get noisy

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Club Aspire / My Lounge (Soon)

T3

Priority Pass / Paid

New refurb coming

overcrowded and tired

⭐⭐☆☆☆

Plaza Premium Blush Lounge

T4

Priority Pass / Paid

Looks nice in photos

Poor reviews, overcrowded

⭐☆☆☆☆

Priority Pass: Your Shortcut to Lounge Life

If you’re not flying in business or first, Priority Pass is a smart way to upgrade your airport experience – especially somewhere as pricey as Heathrow.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: I’ve got a 30% off link for Priority Pass – that means just £48 for the year. Not bad when a coffee and a Croissant at Heathrow can cost over £10 a lengthy queue.



Why Priority Pass Is Worth It Even If You Only Fly Twice a Year?

If you’re on the fence about getting lounge access because you’re not flying every week, here’s my take: it’s still worth it.

Even if you only fly a couple of times a year, the savings and comfort can quickly add up:

  • Heathrow snacks and drinks can easily set you back £25+ per person

  • Lounges often offer a buffet, drinks, coffee, Wi-Fi, charging ports, and quieter seating

  • Some lounges offer showers, perfect for freshening up after a long trip

Let’s say you visit a lounge twice a year. That’s about £24 per visit with the 30% discounted Priority Pass – cheaper than a Pret meal deal, and way more relaxing.

Plus, the vibe of being able to walk into a lounge, charge your phone, and sip a drink while everyone else is fighting for a seat at the gate? Priceless.


And for anyone asking, “Which is the best airport lounge at Heathrow?” it really depends on your terminal, but No1 Lounge in T2 is my winner!


Heathrow Lounge News for 2026: What’s Changing?

A quick look at what’s new and next at Heathrow in 2026:


Terminal 3 Revamp:

  • Club Aspire Lounge is being transformed into My Lounge – a more relaxed, Scandinavian-style space, perfect if you like a casual vibe with decent Wi-Fi.

  • No1 Lounge is slimming down slightly but staying open, with spa and nap areas converted into extra seating.

  • Clubrooms Lounge is brand new and opens late summer. Expect greenery, lots of natural light, and potentially a cash top-up required for entry via Priority Pass.


Final Boarding Call: So Which Heathrow Lounge Should You Choose?

If you’ve got Priority Pass (or are considering one), here’s a rundown of the lounges you can access at each terminal:

Flying from Heathrow more than once this year?

Paying £40 per visit adds up fast.

With Standard Plus, lounge visits can work out from around £24 per visit.


Terminal 2:

  • No1 Lounge

  • Plaza Premium Lounge

Terminal 3:

  • No1 Lounge (soon to be refreshed)

  • Club Aspire Lounge (becomes My Lounge by May 2025)

  • Clubrooms Lounge (opening late summer 2025 – may charge extra for entry, review here.)

Terminal 4:

Terminal 5:

  • Club Aspire Lounge

  • Plaza Premium Lounge

Follow @mr_planeguy on TikTok and Instagram for lounge walkthroughs, travel hacks, and airport meltdowns.


Follow me on Instagram for the latest lounge reviews, PLANE tips, and PLANE deals.


Have a Heathrow lounge fave (or fail)? Let me know in the comments!


The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos.

Looking for a smart way to manage travel spending?


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Travel blogger Mr Plane Guy, at TWA retro iconic Hotel at JFK

Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.

Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos.



Mr Plane Guy Travel Blogger of the year 2025

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