Etihad Airways London Heathrow Lounge
The Etihad lounge London Heathrow is large enough for Etihad - although never the largest of lounges - but does have delights such as a full a la carte restaurant, and a walk up bar. However some perks have been permanently closed, such as the spa.
Once you enter, the main part of the lounge does look very nice. split into several walled off areas, with classy wooden dividers or curtains, and great leather sofas.
Downsides are that the lounge can get packed - and then some - before the main afternoon A380 departure, and the lounge is also in the basement with no outside view.
London Heathrow Etihad Airways lounge review
Now that the Etihad Airways London Heathrow Lounge is once again run by Etihad (and is now their sole lounge outside of Abu Dhabi), it is well worth while seeking out.
The lounge is at the end of LHR Terminal 4. When you're in front of the SkyTeam Lounge you can either take the lift or the winding staircase down to the Etihad Lounge, which is one level below the main concourse. All the signs of course direct you to the lift.
The Etihad lounge London Heathrow has several screened off areas, so appears smaller than it actually is, with classy wooden dividers or curtains, but it is never the largest lounge in the world. As you enter you see the sweep of the central curved room divider, with the bar on the left. Then as you walk around you go past the dummy window: it looks out over the main arrivals corridor at Heathrow and every single person arriving peers in to look at the wonders inside. Further around there is an inner area with lots of 2+2 seats around coffee tables.
There are several decent leather sofas: they come from the renowned Italian manufacturer Poltrona Frau, and the main part of the lounge does look very nice.
In the middle of the circular divider is the Children's area, which is equipped with books, toys, TV and a children's dining menu. Alas the nannies who watch over the children is a perk that has long since been enhanced out of existence.
Alas there is still plenty of evidence of the now long gone glory days Etihad, with the old six senses spa in the corner of the main room now used for storing towels: the spa is very unlikely to return.
However, the restaurant remains: it is in the side room beside the bar.
Food
The food options are pretty good: Arabic in flavour, but with a decent buffet. The selection of refreshments includes hot and cold buffet dishes, which offers a la carte and snack menus.
Most people head for the full a la carte restaurant which has an excellent four or five options; alas these are on a menu on a barcode infront of you, and there are no longer any printed menus. The menu changes according to the times of the flights.
The Abu Dhabi specialities on the menu are worthy of note, with an Arabic Shakshuka often the highlight: it's tomato and paprika salsa with feta & eggs, and very popular it is gulf states like Iran or Iraq for breakfast.
At your seat you can be served cups of tea, or a great Arabic coffee. The restaurant also does a great line in carrot or lime juice.
In the mornings the buffet offers a Full English Breakfast, alas with Chicken Sausages, plus plenty of cereals. Later in the day there are cold cuts of cheese and ham.
Bar
Most passengers head straight to the bar at the London Heathrow Etihad Airways lounge: there can be quite a queue at peak times: it isThere is a quiet decent bar area here, with some good new-world wines. There is a notable whisky selection, and often a few rare English wines, but you have to ask for them.
The cocktail list is good, and the staff will mix up cocktails even for the early morning 9am departure.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms and showers are in the London Heathrow Etihad Airways lounge. They look swish, but as you walk down the corridor to them, you pass the remains of the old spa, which is very much closed, and a faded glory.Business Facilities
Free wifi.No newspapers or magazines.
The small business centre is now closed.
Access
Business or First Class on Etihad Airways gets you in the door, as does Etihad Guest Gold or Platinum, plus Virgin Australia Gold or Platinum.
There is paid access - the Etihad Lounge accepts walk-ins based on capacity. You can pay for entry at the front desk: £50 per person.
The main problem with the Lounge is that it is rammed before each flight, and can be standing room only when the A380 flights leave. As a result, the lounge is now starting to introduce a rule that it is mainly for Business and First Class only, and those with a Gold Frequent Flyer card may sometimes be asked to wait until space becomes available. At these times there is no hope of buying access on the door.
For quite a few years this lounge was the Priority Pass lounge at T4, but there is no longer any access to PP.
Video: Etihad Airways Lounge
