I see the AC Arrivals lounge in LHR will be closed from Jan 25-Feb9 for renovations and AC guests will be able to use the Virgin Revival Lounge at LHR T3--if it is anything like the Virgin Clubhouse then all I can say is WOW!!Pity I am not going to LHR at this time but thanks to AC for making the arrangement. Here's hoping the new MLL Arrivals at T3 will be like it.

 

I've never been to a Virgin Arrivals suite but I wouldn't put my hopes up for the AC renovation. They're only spending 2 weeks on it and I can't imagine it being anything but cosmetic considering that I'm pretty sure AC will move to the new Heathrow Terminal East in a few years.

 

One comment- the MLL Arrivals lounge at LHR T3 is great- they press your clothes while you are taking a shower, have very good internet access (wired but I believe free IIRC), have a nice breakfast, and you are right at the cab stand if you are going somewhere by black cab, or close to the entrance you walk down to get Heathrow Connect/Express/Tube etc. I am a big fan of the T3 arrivals lounge.

 

VS lounge is very nice. I spent a couple of hours there yesterday. They have AC staff from the AC lounge on the door. Apparently progress has been quick with the renovation so it may reopen sooner.
VS offers a small breakfast buffet or items to order (with table service), great fresh OJ etc. Showers are equipped with top end toiletries, Cowshed/Bumble & Bumble. There is free wifi in the lounge. Gets quite busy, but lots of people are waiting for their complimentary limo home. Easy to find, but its on the first floor rather than the ground floor.

 

I spent a great morning a few weeks ago talking to the in-charge at the MLL arrivals lounge as the crew was in looking at putting in the new floors, and she mentioned this was going to happen soon, although I didn't realize exactly how soon. Apparently it's in desparate need of a renovation, too, as it's been something like 10 years (although I could be wrong) since it was last renovated.

It's going to be great to see the new digs next time, as it's been one of the high points of a transfer through LHR. Hope it turns out great, although it would be interesting to get a chance to see the VS arrivals lounge in the interim. If only I had some upcoming tatl...

 

I was coming from RUH on BD continuing to YOW (AC plate) and was denied access since I am not SE. (I have MLL membership through CIBC, AMEX Aeroplan Platinum and E status on Aeroplan and still got denied .. !!)

 

Why would AC be spending money on the AL when they will be moving to T1 and joining the other STAR carriers in two years? AC should be spending the money on the YVR Domestic MLL which really needs an upgrade!

 

You would only have access coming off an AC flight from Canada, not connecting to an AC flight off another carrier as an Elite or credit card holder. You would of course have access to the London Lounge (which has shower facilities) if you were flying onward on a same day AC flight.

 

Sorry about that, but none of those memberships will get you access to the LHR arrivals lounge when you're not arriving on an AC flight.

 

What it is the reason for that though .. ? I mean after all it was an AC ticket ...

The agent told me if I was SE I would have access to the lounge.

 

True!! I did like the lounge and have spent quite a bit of time there--and hope to do so again in the new lounge.

 

The reason is simple: the Arrival Lounge is for AC ExecFirst customers (and SEs and Es and MLL members) arriving on AC flights from Canada. The regular lounge has showers for just your type of traveller who may wish to make use of this service on a connection.

There is a limited amount of space in the Arrivals Lounge so admission is restricted to AC's own arriving customers.

 

Thnx Shareholder,

I understand that, but the regular lounge won't work if you are planning to go out to the city and you need to take a quick shower before.

What I don't understand is why not to extend the service to arrivals on non-AC flights if they are continuing on AC especially if it was an AC ticket .. ?

For the limited space issue, I think the number of passengers who are willing to go through customs and go to the city while in-transit is not that much (it is not worth it to go through customs just to have your clothes pressed while taking a shower )

I usually transit through LHR, and whenver I have 5+ hours of transit i just go out to the city chill and come back to catch my flight .. arrival lounge usage will be a big bonus in my case.

 

Actually, the internet is free Wifi and you can print wirelessly as well. Believe it or not, the IP port settings for the MLL printers in the NA MLLs works perfectly for the printers in the LHR Arrivals MLL. I know because I've printed wirelessly there before from my laptop. ^

Is that crappy desktop terminal still there?

I wonder what types of renos will be done? I always thought the bathrooms were alright. The lounge itself is still respectable.

 

My guess will be a lick of paint, a couple of new computers, a new coffee machine (one machine not functioning when I was there last) and a new suit steamer (also not functioning). They will also get rid of the time zone clocks and add some fresh pictures showing lots of snow!

I don't mind too much as long as the bacon butties are still available!