Review: LHR BA Galleries First Lounge

Weekend Write-Up: London, Part I
Weekend Write-Up: London, Part II
Review: InterContinental London Westminster
Review: LHR BA Galleries First Lounge

Our flight home from London was via British Airways, but unfortunately, we were flying coach. Luckily, Chris' American Airlines Executive Platinum status translates to Oneworld Emerald, which allows him and a guest (that's me!) to use British Airways First Class, Business Class or frequent flyer lounges. We had a late afternoon flight, so once we arrived at Heathrow and made it through Fast Track security, we headed to the British Airways Galleries First Lounge in the South concourse of Terminal 5. 

Upon arrival at the lounge, you will see the First lounge on your left and the Club lounge on your right. The Galleries First lounge is absolutely massive. There were no less than two dedicated champagne bars (serve yourself, of course), one other bar area, a full service dining area, a buffet dining area, a large business center, multiple seating areas, and even a terrace. It was around 3PM on a Monday when we arrived and the place was surprisingly quite packed, but there was plenty of seating throughout the lounge.

Galleries First Lounge Entry

Televisions and Newspapers Next to the Entrance

Galleries First Lounge Champagne Bar

Galleries First Lounge Champagne Bar

Galleries First Lounge Gold Bar

Galleries First Lounge Coffee Bar and Seating

Galleries First Lounge Business Center

Galleries First Lounge Terrace

We hadn't eaten since breakfast and were getting a bit hungry, so we decided to sample some of the food offered in the lounge. When it comes to meals, you're free to select from the variety of food served in the buffet area, which for us included some pastas, rice, vegetables, cold cuts, cheeses, soup, and the like, or you can order off of the menu. 

Galleries First Lounge Buffet

Galleries First Lounge Buffet

Galleries First Lounge Buffet Drink Selection

Galleries First Lounge A La Carte Menu

We decided to order off the menu. Unfortunately, finding a waiter to take our order was nearly impossible. After 10 minutes of no service and no waiters nearby to speak of, I positioned myself to stare directly at the door to the kitchen with an "I'm ready to order" look on my face and wait for someone to walk out. I waited tables all through college and I certainly know better than to be pushy and annoying, but at that point, I was hungry and frustrated. We finally got someone to take our order and you could tell he wasn't too pleased to be there that day. I guess that explains how hard he was to find.

We finally got our food and one thing to note is that the portions are actually quite small, regardless of what you order. However, with the buffet nearby and no limit to what you can order, if you weren't satisfied, you could always get seconds (if you could find a server). I had the Caesar Salad with chicken and Chris decided to try the BA Burger. 

Also, please forgive me for the awful food pictures. I was pretty hungry and wasn't willing to wait long before digging in.

Galleries First Lounge Caesar Salad with Chicken

Galleries First Lounge BA Burger

The food was by no means amazing, but you really can't go wrong when there's unlimited champagne laying around everywhere, so we were happy enough. 

Despite the lounge being quite busy, it's definitely nicer to relax here prior to a long international flight than it would be to hang out in the terminal. 

Happy Travels!