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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to want to go to an airport lounge?

134 replies

ssd · 25/03/2015 20:19

I dont know why, seen an advert for one and they just look so calm, with snacks and drinks and newspapers

I'd just like to go to one then fly off somewhere gorgeous

its not too much to ask, is it?

OP posts:

IAmAShitHotLawyer · 25/03/2015 21:04

oh I have used these ever since I discovered them. for £20 you get peace and quiet, magazines,wifi, tv, sometimes a cinema, all the food and drink you can quaff - whats not to like.

I've paid £20 before for a crappy meal and drink in the cattle class lounge full of drunks and screaming kids !!!! Not anymore.

PolaDeVeboise · 25/03/2015 21:05

Right then Tricky, this CC you speak of...

scottgirl · 25/03/2015 21:09

What ever happened to the 'middle class' couple who lived in the airport?

IAmAShitHotLawyer · 25/03/2015 21:12

the middle class couple who lived in the airport were telling porkies methinks, in order to be eligible for social housing.

ChristmasinQueensland · 25/03/2015 21:13

Agree that Emirates business class is terrific. Had a great few hours there for a change of flight in Dubai. I'd book with a longer gap between flights next time if I could for that reason.

Trickydecision · 25/03/2015 21:19

It's this one Polo. It's not free, but worth every penny to us as it gives comprehensive travel insurance, including winter sports. to us and up to five people travelling with us, e.g. DSs, DGCs. More crucial for me, there is no upper age limit so still covers me at 70.
Unfortunately it is not open to new members now, so not much help, but there might be similar ones out there.

PolaDeVeboise · 25/03/2015 21:23

Thanks Tricky, worth a try :D

cashewnutty · 25/03/2015 21:29

I LOVE airport lounges and get cross if i can't access one and have to mix with the plebs normal people. I like the unlimited access to food and drink, the lovely loos and the free wifi. The holiday starts when i arrive at the lounge.

SorrelForbes · 25/03/2015 21:36

When we fly to the US we usually upgrade to Business/Club/Upper using our air miles and have been lucky enough of the lounges. The Virgin one at Tampa is nice as is the United one at Newark. Most of them have showers too so you can freshen up before you do the over night flight back sleeping in your complimentary pjs on your lie-flat bed

It has ruined me for cattle class travel

Pico2 · 25/03/2015 21:37

I've been in the Virgin Heathrow one. It was great - cocktails, pedicure and massage, food etc. It was lovely. I got in because DH was a "gold member" that year. I'm not sure I'd be happy for him to be away as much as he was that year just for a go in the lounge, but that's probably because we now have children.

YellowTulips · 25/03/2015 21:38

Yep the Virgin Heathrow lounge is lovely . Food, drink, hair salon etc

I fly a lot with work and have "gold" membership so I get to use them at will now.

Downside is when we fly as a family I can only take one guest in so I feel a faint air of martyrdom as I stay with DH and the kids and turn down the pre flight luxury

GalindawithaGa · 25/03/2015 21:39

You want to go to the First Class lounge at the 'hub' airport for a particular airline. So:

Lufthansa - Frankfurt. It's not a lounge but an entire first class terminal, with no other passengers except others in first class. We had a personal assistant who did everything for us and came to get us when the flight was ready. Everyone had been put on and they drove us out across the Tarmac to the plane in a Porsche. Food etc was all amazing.

BA - Heathrow Concorde Lounge. Good for celeb spotting, has a (windy) terrace, good food. You can book a private room with a bed and stuff although that is windowless. Also has a spa. BA ground service in First is poor though and for that reason I don't think it's worth it (although the cabin experience was excellent). For me the Concorde Room wasn't that much better than the BA first lounge in JFK or other large airports.

Thai - Bangkok First Class Lounge. These guys know how to do service. Oddly, the best club sandwich I've ever eaten. They have a first class spa and will book you in for treatments etc. Like a PP said you can get a room which has a TV, sofa etc and the attentive service is incredible. Thai are also great for taking you everywhere in buggies so you don't have to walk in the airport.

Sometimes when I'm having a self indulgent 'woe is me' day I should think about how lucky I am to have been to these places!

Chchchchanging · 25/03/2015 21:42

The virgin lounge for business class at heat grow is truely one of my favourite places
Used to fly a lot for work
Never worth paying for reg lounge access or non airline lounges the cost vs amount spent of drinks etc doesn't work out but it's good for doing work and maybe getting a seat!!

PunkrockerGirl · 25/03/2015 21:46

Went to No.1 Lounge at Birmingham airport last year. It was lovely and peaceful. It cost no more than if we'd had a meal each and drinks in the main airport and because the food and drink is unlimited, it's great value. Would definitely do it again.

TheHappinessTrap · 25/03/2015 21:47

My only experience of the lounge was when is been bumped up to first class over a decade ago. It was nearly empty, if my memory serves me there were only a couple of businessmen. Being young and poor I struggled not to run around eating and drinking everything. And the flight was a pure joy. It felt like the staff enjoyed me having such a great time. I was so green my eyes must have popped when I shyly accepted all the stuff offered.

SecretRed · 25/03/2015 21:50

You can't take children under 6 in the lounge at Manchester Airport .i can see why of course but this means it's probably off limits to me for another 3 years.

SquinkiesRule · 25/03/2015 21:51

Ds and I went to the BA first class lounge at Heathrow when our flight had to to turn back and we spent hours in there, it was lovely. Fresh food brought out regularly, nice and quiet comfy chairs. No celebs while I was there (not that I ever recognize anyone), but some Japanese girls all getting showered and made up before their flight home.

UptheChimney · 25/03/2015 21:59

how much is it, I cant see anything as common as money mentioned

Well no, the only way you buy yourself into it is by flying Business class -- Virgin calls it Upper Class.

I like the Arrivals lounges best of all. It's nice to have a shower & breakfast before going off to work through the jetlag.

And I rather loved a First Class Lounge I was in last year, where they asked me which champagne I wanted.

Original poster

ssd · 25/03/2015 22:01

just googled the Manchester one, how come the food is listed as complimentary...but besides the meals shown there are prices?

has anyone been here?

OP posts:

TheChandler · 25/03/2015 22:13

Some of my happiest family memories as a child are when we all went for a trip to the airport, plenty of restaurants and cafes and plane watching.

Runwayqueen · 25/03/2015 22:16

Yanbu!

I work in an airport that has just opened its brand new exec lounge. One of the few perks I have working there is use of the lounge, I'm very much looking forward to my flight in May when I get to use it. Sadly dd won't be allowed in, but I'm sure her and dp will be ok sat outside it

bedraggledmumoftwo · 25/03/2015 22:34

Ssd, if you get a gold Amex (free for first year) it comes with two free lounge passes. Might be worth doing before your next airport experience

Bambambini · 25/03/2015 22:46

Never found the BA lounge at Heathrow crap and crammed. A whole bar at your disposal to help yourself, free food and snacks, comfy couches and a room for the kids to watch telly and hang out. I got to hang out with Chris Tarrant and husband got Michael Caine - think he got the best deal though Chris did lift my buggy down for me from the overhead rack on the plane - thanks Chris.

DanyStormborn · 25/03/2015 22:52

It's better to just check-in online and spend less time at the airport. Lounges are ok if you are stuck at the airport for ages as they are calm and a but more comfortable for relaxing/working than the general departures area but otherwise nothing special.

singaporefling · 25/03/2015 22:59

LOVE Emirates Lounges... The Manchester one has big leather armchairs, amaaaazing buffet, marble loos/showers - could have spent my holiday there

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