International Lounges

I'll second both of these. The JAL AC is more like a FL! I know people love to bash AA's lounges, but NRT is great. And, the JAL F lounge does have extremely tasty beef curry. (I wish I could be assured they used Japanese beef, but since Japan resumed importing U.S. beef, one can't be sure.)

I know it's an unpopular opinion but I think the BA F lounge is over-rated and the AA FL is under-rated. I've had opportunity to visit both rather a lot. The BA F lounge is very spacious and has sit-down off-the-menu food options, but IMHO the food is never very good. The AA FL is smaller and has only buffet items, but it's always pleasant. I'm not saying the BA F lounge isn't great, just that it's not as great as FT posts would have one believe

I hope to try the BA Concorde room laster this year, as I'll be flying BA F again.

This (along with the QF F in Melbourne) is indeed a great lounge. I love how they draw designs with the steamed milk when you order a latte or other coffee drink

Yeah, this is an awful lounge.

The BA lounge in BRU and whichever lounge is for OW in ARN aren't anything to write home about either, but at least they have windows. I think these must be operated by third parties because the agents can't do anything, not even print boarding passes.

Sounds great! As it happens, we'll be in HKG next month so will be sure to drop in.

I agree! I think NRT is the nicest lounge in the whole AC system. It's well-designed, well-lit, the staff are great, there are plenty of showers so there's rarely a wait, there are power plugs scattered throughout, and the food is okay. (As good as any mediocre food in the AA FLs, at least.)

I am, however, in the camp of people who much prefer the BA F lounge to the AA FL at LHR T3. I'm not a fan of the "vibe" (lighting, ambiance, decor) of the LHR FL, and the food is very blah for me. I'm not saying the food is much better at BA F - certainly not CX or JL quality food. But I like having the space to work, the space to rest, pretty darn good adult beverage options, and a quiet atmosphere.

I prefer MEL QF F lounge

Standard practice at coffee shops/cafes in Australia and New Zealand.

Indeed, and in many coffee houses in the States, but I like that the QF F lounge does it. In my experience it's rare to see that in a lounge (where it's far more common to have a self-serve coffee drink machine).

I know JAL and AA have JBV planned but let's not get ourselves ahead of the game and call NRT AC as JAL AC (or is it you are referring JAL's lounges as AC )

lol even with the JBV, only major service changes at AA would allow for the NRT AC (even as nice as it is) to compare to JAL's first lounge.

Can I add further experience of getting massages at LHR T5 and T3 BA First lounges?

In both lounges, access to massages was available as a OWE, OR when flying J longhaul on BA.

Contrast this to the JFK T7 BA lounges, where spa access is available ONLY for BA club world pax and gold card holders - I did not have access as a OWE flying J on QF to SYD.

Oops! Sorry, I accidently typed "JAL AC" when I meant "NRT AC".

OK. So I am staying in Terminal 3. I am going to the BA F Lounge, and will check out the re-decorated FL. While at the BA F I am getting a massage, or at least will attempt to.

Am I doing the Conection Centre Term 3 to Term 3, or clearing customs and re-entering, keeping in mind that it will be a Sunday at Noon?

Do you have IRIS or an EU passport?

Standard US Passport with the Fast Track cards AA gives out.
I did transfers from 3 to the old BA terminal via the HEX before, and it was no big deal.

Sometimes it takes a long time to clear immigration at T3.

Which of the J lounges at LHR T3 is best for food? Is the best course to browse all three?

How about showers?

I prefer the BA/QF Galleries First lounge, although CX F lounge is also very nice in between their own flights.

Edited to add - sorry I can't help much with C lounges. Avoid the Servisair one (used by RJ). I think they all have showers though, except for Servisair.

You've no reason to leave the airport, so no reason to clear security. Simply follow the purple signs to flight connections and you'll be back in departures, where you want to be. Is there something that you want to do outside the departures area??

I've gone through once just so I had sufficient entries into the UK for IRIS "requalifiation" purposes

Jeff

Nothing, except avoiding what was mentioned in post 28 of this discussion;

"Did the T3 to T3 via flight connections in January- NIGHTMARE - go land side with your pink slip and back through fast tack into T3. Worth repeating AVOID flight connections @ T3 at all costs--"

I've never had such experiences... I'd imagine it's hit or miss, as it can get equally bad clearing formalities to enter the UK and come back through on the outbound.

Lucky you. There have been times when it has taken me over an hour to get through LHR T3 flight connection centre security.

I'd say my worst case is 30 minutes from getting in queue at security to being in the departures hall... Not great, but not horrible by LHR standards. Perhaps I fly at less peak times/days, but to me it would be worse to clear immigration and formalities, then turn around and get in another security queue to get back into departures. Of course, if queues are over an hour for security at flight connections and fast pass is an option, I will certainly concede that it may be worth it to go that route.

I've also had times when it has taken over an hour to clear immigration (no IRIS or EU passport), when arriving after PIA and immigration where short-staffed due to questioning almost everyone. This was the day after the underpants bomber incident.