Earlier this year I finally had the chance to fly in Economy Class on American’s 787-8 from London back to Chicago. This flight was special to me for two very important reasons. First, it would be the first time I’ve ever flown long-haul in economy on American’s 787. Perviously I’ve always flown British Airways back to the United States. Second, for that reason, this was the first time I was supposed to depart from London Heathrow Terminal 3.
Although I’ve never departed from LHR Terminal 3 I have arrived there several times. Upon arrival I usually opt to clear security and visit some of the lounges in the departures hall prior to my connecting flight. I typically connect from Terminal 5 on British Airways, but believe it or not you can access T3 when departing from T5. It’s a nice trick to know about as it gives you access to some of the better OneWorld lounges found throughout the world.
While I typically opt to visit other OneWorld carrier lounges in T3, with this trip I made it a point to spend time in the American Airlines Admirals Club and First Class lounge located in Terminal 3. I’ve never been in either before, but as I was flying American home I figured it was time to finally review these lounges. Ultimately I cut my departure time a bit close which meant that I didn’t have enough time to visit the Admirals Club, but I did have enough time to familiarize myself with American’s International First Class lounge found in London Heathrow’s Terminal 3.
American Airlines International First Class Lounge Access
As the name of the lounge implies, customers traveling in First Class on American Airlines can access to this particular lounge. Additionally, OneWorld Emerald customers traveling in any cabin on a OneWorld operated flight also have access. American largely cut First Class cabins between London and the United States so likely the only guests inside the lounge these days are those with OneWorld Emerald elite status. However, First Class passengers traveling on a OneWorld carrier could use this lounge as well if they pleased.
This access policy is a bit different from the policy found at Flagship Lounges located within the United States. Currently both OneWorld Sapphire and Emerald customers have access to Flagship Lounges when traveling internationally in any cabin on a OneWorld carrier. Likewise, passengers traveling in business class on OneWorld carriers also have access to Flagship Lounges.
American Airlines International First Class Lounge LHR Terminal 3
Similar to other American Airlines Flagship Lounges, the International First Class lounge can be found inside the American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal 3. Within Terminal 3 airline lounges are designated both by name and a single letter. Currently, the American Airlines Admirals Club can be found along the “Lounge H” corridor.
As you turn down the corridor you’ll immediately notice the familiar frosted glass doors and American Airlines branding now commonplace in American’s hub airports.
As you enter the lounge you’ll see a large reception desk located directly in front of you. Both Admirals Club and First Class lounges guests use this reception area to check-in.
Although access to the International First Class lounge is more restrictive, I had access thanks to my OneWorld Emerald elite status. With OneWorld Emerald status I have access to international first class lounges even when traveling in economy.
To access the lounge I presented my boarding card to the lounge agent who then directed me into the First Class lounge.
As I mentioned, the First Class lounge is actually a smaller lounge located within the Admirals Club. So after check-in you will pass through the second set of sliding glass doors to access the more exclusive lounge.
American Airlines International First Class Lounge
After passing through the second sliding glass door you’ll enter a small First Class lounge reception area. This area features several jars of hard candies and snacks. There is also a small luggage storage closet where guests can store their bags throughout their visit.
Also located near the entrance to the lounge is a Champagne bar. Surprisingly the house Champagne during my visit was Moet Brut and Moet Rose. While Moet isn’t the most expensive Champagne in the world it’s definitely more premium than Champagne found in other American Airlines lounges throughout the network.
The lounge itself isn’t all that large. Essentially the entire lounge is a single room which features a seating area, dining area, media room, and some restrooms. The view from the far end of the lounge gives you a good idea as to the size and layout of the space.
As you can see in the above image, half walls located throughout the lounge divide the space into smaller, more manageable, areas.
American Airlines International First Class Lounge Seating Area
Typically when reviewing a lounge I’ll start from the entrance and move through the lounge in a logical fashion. With this review I’ve decided to take the opposite approach as I suspect most will come in, look around, and leave.
Located along the exterior wall of the lounge is the primary seating area. This area features more brown and grey than I’ve ever seen in my life.
There are the standard lounge chairs located in the center of the room. These chairs feature central side tables with built-in power outlets.
Around the outer edges of the seating area are smaller chairs which are plenty comfortable, but lack power outlets at every seat.
The main seating area also features the most natural light of any area in the lounge.
Natural light is hard to come by in many of the Lounges in Terminal 3 due to the layout of the terminal. Luckily the International First Class lounge has plenty.
However, the views from the large windows along the exterior of the lounge offer less than desirable views.
If you prefer proper views of an airport then your best bet is to visit the nearby Cathay Pacific lounge, but more on that in a minute.
American Airlines International First Class Lounge Buffet Area
A fairly large buffet area is located in the center of the lounge. The lounge had a surprisingly large selection of hot buffet items, but the quantities were quite small given the size of the lounge.
As I visited the lounge in the early afternoon the lounge featured a selection of hot lunch options.
While the menu reads well I was not impressed by the overall presentation of any of the dishes on offer. Located around the outer area of the buffet section of the lounge were ample seating options.
Along the far wall of the buffet area is a long padded bench lined with tables and chairs.
American Airlines International First Class Lounge Beverage Area
Unlike the food selection on offer within the lounge I was actually quite impressed by the beverage options found within the lounge.
For starters the lounge was home to a large refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, waters, and several different styles of beer. Located next to the large refrigerator was a tea station which featured a variety of Twinings teas and several jars of snacks.
Beyond the tea station were two coffee machines capable of producing a wide variety of coffee options.
Finally, just beyond the two coffee makers was a fairly robust selection of spirits. The spirits offered within the lounge were not the top-shelf liquor options found in other first class lounges, but there was a wide enough variety to make nearly every standard cocktail.
American Airlines First Class Lounge Dining Room
Toward the front of the lounge, adjacent to the buffet area, is a formal sit down dining area. This area featured standard two-top restaurant style seating options. Each table featured place settings, wine glasses, and menu books.
When I entered the lounge there wasn’t a single guest sitting in the dining area. I’m not sure if that was due to the time of my visit or the lackluster menu.
During my visit the dining area was offering an A La Carte Lunch Menu which consisted of a Steak, Salmon, or Squash dish and two dessert options. Similar to the hot buffet area, nothing on the menu seemed appealing at the time of my visit.
American Airlines First Class Lounge Media Rooms
Finally, located toward the front of the lounge near the dining area are two smaller media rooms. The first is a bit odd as it seems like a traditional media room, but only features seating similar to that of a dining area.
The second media room is a true media room as it features rows of comfortable leather chairs.
This area of the lounge remained vacant throughout my visit. The locations of the two media rooms were overall a bit confusing. Guests would have to walk away from the central lounge area to access either media room and neither were inviting.
Why Would Anyone Use This Lounge?
I ask this question because I can’t for the life of me figure out who would use this lounge. This lounge is only available to OneWorld Emerald passengers or First Class passengers traveling on a OneWorld carrier. That alone means only a select few passengers have access. The issue is that anyone who has access to this particular lounge, the International First Class area, also has access to other incredible lounges in Heathrow Terminal 3.
For starters, anyone who can access the American Airlines First Class lounge can also access the nearby Qantas Lounge. The Qantas Lounge is significantly better than the American Airlines lounge in almost every measurable way. Within the Qantas Lounge there are far better dining options and the full service bar, which is beautiful, offers a much better selection of beverages.
While the nearby Qantas Lounge is fantastic, guests who can access the American Airlines First Class lounge can also access the nearby Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge.
The Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge in London is among my favorite in the world. The food inside this lounge is as good as you’ll find in an airport lounge and the decor is stunning.
So, if you happened to be flying in First Class out of Terminal 3 on a OneWorld carrier, why would you even both visiting the American Airlines First Class lounge? I honestly can for the life of me figure out who would opt to visit the American lounge over the Cathay or Qantas rivals located next door.
Final Thoughts
The issue with this particular lounge is that it’s far to dated to be competitive as a “First Class” lounge. If I were traveling in First Class on a OneWorld Carrier I would choose either the Qantas Lounge or Cathay lounge over any American Airlines lounge, but especially this one.
I’d like to see American refresh this lounge as another Flagship Lounge and open it up to Business Class passengers and OneWorld Sapphire Elites. American Airlines has done a fantastic job refreshing their lounge network by introducing “Flagship Lounges” throughout the United States. I personally love Flagship Lounges as they seem the find that perfect balance between of a traditional airline lounge and a premium cabin international lounge. With that being said, I hope it’s only a matter of time until this lounge gets the “Flagship” treatment.
As it stands, if I were traveling through London Heathrow Terminal 3, I would never visit this lounge again. There are far to many better options in Terminal 3 to waste any of your time in the American Airlines International First Class Lounge. Instead, head down the hall a bit to either the Qantas or Cathay lounges. As long as you’re flying with a OneWorld partner, you should have access to either of those lounges.
