Review: Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London (LHR)

To say I was impressed by the Cathay Pacific first class in London Heathrow T3 would be an understatement. While not as grand as The Pier, I have yet to visit a nicer outstation first class lounge. This detailed review of the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge in London will cover access restrictions, operating hours, seating, food and beverages, restrooms and showers, and service.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London Review (LHR)

This review blends multiple visits to the lounge over the years. I’ve enjoyed oneworld emerald status on both American Airlines and British Airways, which has given me access to the lounge on many trips even when I’m not flying in first class.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London Access + Hours

You’ll find the lounge in Heathrow Terminal 3. Clear security then head through duty free and then left, where the lounge sits net to the Qantas Lounge, another great oneworld lounge in T3. The lounge is open Monday – Saturday from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM daily (and open later if the late Cathay Pacific flight, CX254, is delayed). Access is reserved for Marco Polo Diamond members, oneworld Emerald members (traveling in any class of service on any oneworld carrier), and passengers departing in first class on a oneworld flight. One guest is permitted. Passengers connecting in first class from Cathay Pacific are allowed in, but without a guest. Take the elevator upstairs to the lounge.

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Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London Review: Seating

The first class lounge is fairly spacious, with a a mix of couches and chairs in semi-partitioned alcoves plus a row of lounge chairs along the windows. I spent several hours in the lounge and it never got crowded, though it always filled up a bit before each Cathay Pacific departure. I love the furniture and marble walls, which reminded me of The Pier in Hong Kong. Ilse Crawford designed both lounges.

UK plugs and USB ports are located throughout the lounge, including many hidden in side table drawers that stand between couches and chairs. I had trouble using my adapter with these plugs and had to borrow another adapter from reception. It would be nice to see these ports updated with USB-C plugs.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London Review: Food + Drink

The lounge includes a self-serve bar and a counter with finger foods and lighter dishes, along with soft drinks, tea, juice, and soda.

But the culinary highlight of the lounge is the restaurant, which offers an a la carte dining menu in a restaurant that is best described as a mini-version of the restaurant in The Pier.

I wasn’t hungry on my last visit (having eaten a large meal in the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge), but this is the current a la carte menu:

On my prior visit, I enjoyed a mid-afternoon lunch in the lounge and found the food to be delicious. I ordered a glass of rosé Champagne (Layton’s Brut Reserve) along with rose petal & harissa-topped salmon.

The salmon included warm couscous and was drizzled in tahini dressing, making for a superb lunch. For dessert I ordered a fruit plate then walked over to the business class lounge for a cappuccino.

Next time I’ll try the Dan Dan Mien…

Tip: while the first class side only offers a machine to dispense espresso-based beverages, barista-made coffee is available at the bar in business class lounge. Those with access to the first class lounge access can also make use of the business class lounge. The business class lounge also has a noodle bar.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London Restrooms + Showers

Restrooms and showers are shared with business class passengers and located down the hall from the first class lounge toward the business class lounge. A shower attendant is usually present if you wish to use a shower suite. If not, check with the front desk. I’ve enjoyed many refreshing showers in this lounge.

Restrooms are spacious and my only gripe is that Cathay Pacific dropped Aesop for Bamford…still decent, but it was Cathay Pacific (and the Park Hyatt Tokyo) that first introduced me to Aesop, one of my favorite skincare brands.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge Magazines + Newspapers

Magazines and newspapers, which many lounges have jettisoned, are still available.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge London Service

The ladies at the front desk were very nice. I was in and out several times because I ended up using my extended layover to check out several oneworld lounges in T3 while using the Cathay Pacific Lounge as my base. On a previous trip to Helsinki, when my flight was delayed, they offered to help put me on an earlier (also delayed) flight to Helsinki, which I thought was going above and beyond the call of duty. I stuck with my original flight because I wanted to fly an A330 versus an A321, but it was a very gracious offer.

While walking between the business and first class sides of the lounge, I was never stopped and asked to prove that I was a first class passenger or had oneworld Emerald status.

CONCLUSION

I was really pleased with this lounge and strongly recommend it over the British Airways and American Airlines first class lounges also located in Terminal 3. The a la carte lunch was truly a treat and the environment quite tranquil to wait out my onward connection.

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