Review: Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge London Heathrow (LHR – T4)

London Heathrow has many options for oneworld travelers, with more than a half dozen lounges to choose from. The Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge in LHR Terminal 4 is not as luxe as the Qatar Premium Lounge upstairs but is still a very nice lounge

Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge London Heathrow Review (LHR) – Terminal 4

Qatar Airways operates two lounges in LHR: a “Premium” lounge for business class passengers and a “Frequent Flyer” lounge for oneworld sapphire and emerald members traveling in economy class. This review focuses on the frequent flyer lounge.

Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge London Location + Hours + Access

The Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge is located in Heathrow Terminal 4 next to the Plaza Premium Lounge on near gate 1A. It is open daily three hours before the first Qatar Airways departure until the final flight departs, corresponding to Qatar’s busy schedule from LHR (currently open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm). Malaysia Airlines and Royal Air Maroc are the only other oneworld carriers that operate from LHR T4.

I was traveling on British Airways and had to finagle my way into T4 by explaining I had a long layover and wanted to use the Qatar Lounge. However, I had to initially clear security in T5, where my flight was departing from, then take the bus to T4 and clear security again. I’ll outline that ordeal in a separate post.

This is a oneworld status lounge, meaning access is granted based on oneworld sapphire or emerald status, regardless of cabin flown (business class passengers with or without status also have access to this lounge, but there is no reason to use it when you have access to the Premium Lounge upstairs). You do not have to be flying on Qatar Airways, but you do need to be connecting from or departing (same-day) on a oneworld flight. I was traveling to Basel, Switzerland on British Airways in business class, so I had access by virtue of my class of service and my emerald status.

As you enter the lounge, you will walk up a ramp where you will find a podium in between two doors. An agent will scan your boarding pass with a tablet and either direct you to the right (to the Premium Lounge) or the left (to the Frequent Flyer Lounge).

Take the door on the left and head downstairs for this lounge.

Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge London Seating

The lounge has a seating area centered around a circular ceiling with mood lighting. Plugs are nearby each seat with universal A/C, USB-A, and USB-C.

Further into the lounge, there are dining tables with 2-4 chairs along the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at the apron outside.

Business Center

A small business center offers desktop computer and printer.

Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge London Food + Drink

Food and drink are all self-serve in this lounge. The buffet included a salad bar, Arabic mezze, sliced meat and cheese, fresh fruit, a selection of sweet treats, and hot items like carrots and green beans, roasted salmon, grilled polenta, oriental vegan noodles, and chicken makhani (no lamb like the buffet upstairs).

The drink selection was very limited compared to the Premium Lounge, with soft drinks, water, tea, wine, and a tri0 of “lower-shelf” spirits (Bombay Sapphire gin, Smirnoff vodka, Jack Daniels whiskey).

Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Lounge London Restrooms + Showers

Restroom and shower suites are available. Amenites like shavers and toothbrushes are available by request.

Service

I was all alone in the lounge (timing my visit in the late morning when no Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, or Malaysia Airlines were departing) and the staff were very friendly…I appreciated how many there were just standing around waiting to help guests. Everyone was kind and welcoming.

CONCLUSION

While not as nice as the Premium Lounge upstairs, I’d still say this lounge beats all of the British Airways Galleries lounges at LHR. It is a peaceful lounge with high-quality food and friendly staff. Qatar Airways onboard catering is also not bad, but I’d eat here before your flight if flying in economy class…