American Airlines reopens First Class Lounge at Heathrow Airport in London

American Airlines has just reopened its international first class lounge at London Heathrow after closing at the start of the pandemic. And I’m not sure why.

This is not a flagship saloon as it never received the planned upgrades. The airline, however, says that while it was closed, the kitchen has been updated and the passenger area has received a “cosmetic update”.

London Heathrow Terminal 3 already has some of the best lounge options in the world.

• Business Class and oneworld Sapphire passengers must use the Qantas Lounge.
• First Class passengers and oneworld Emerald members must use the Cathay Pacific Lounge. (By 2025, they promise to add a separate first-class cabin.)
• There is also a British Airways Galleries First Lounge which can be used by passengers with access to the American Airlines International First Class Lounge.
• Heathrow Terminal 3 is home to the American Express Centurion Lounge and is preferred by many. Lounge 1 is also available through Priority Pass and is probably one of the best Priority Pass lounges in the world.

I’m not sure which passenger will choose the American Airlines International First Class Lounge. The more operational space for recreation, the better to control crowds. At this level, I’m glad to see that the hall is open again. I’m just not sure I can recommend anyone with access to this living room to use it.

It has been years since I was in Terminal 3 flying American Airlines from London. And I’m always disappointed when I use Terminal 5 (indeed, I was sad that my upcoming BA flight to Austin was moved back to Terminal 5). The lounge options in terminal 3 are very good. On some level, I’m glad to see the American reopening his living room. But they are spending the pandemic on capital investment to convert their inland fleet to a new dense configuration, I wish they would turn it into the flagship saloon they have been promising in London for the past seven years.

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