BA lounge access at Dulles (IAD)
Jul 26, 2024 | 11:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 7
BA lounge access at Dulles (IAD)
We are travelling to Washington Dulles (IAD) on BA First Class, booked with BA.
From Dulles we are taking an American Airlines domestic flight to Charlotte (CLT) in Business/First.. This flight was booked directly with AA.
Will we be permitted to use the BA lounge at Dulles even if we didn’t book through British Airways? We have quite a long wait between flights and there is no AA lounge available. One Gold card holder, one silver - if that makes any difference.
Thank you.
From Dulles we are taking an American Airlines domestic flight to Charlotte (CLT) in Business/First.. This flight was booked directly with AA.
Will we be permitted to use the BA lounge at Dulles even if we didn’t book through British Airways? We have quite a long wait between flights and there is no AA lounge available. One Gold card holder, one silver - if that makes any difference.
Thank you.
Jul 26, 2024 | 11:29 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Programs: BA Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 246
I don't know IAD that well.
But standard oneworld rules should apply.
Arriving International Business or First ticket should give you access.
oneworld.com says
But standard oneworld rules should apply.
Arriving International Business or First ticket should give you access.
oneworld.com says
- Access for eligible customers traveling on any oneworld member airline.
Jul 26, 2024 | 11:36 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL; TK Elite (*A Gold); SAS Eurobonus Gold (Skyteam Elite Plus); Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 6,112
Jul 26, 2024 | 11:39 am
#4
Join Date: May 2019
Location: FL390 or the iron way
Programs: BA GGL, SAS EBG
Posts: 2,506
In theory - yes, you are permitted access under the OneWorld access rules by virtue of arriving in First. In practice, the BA-operated lounges in North America have a policy of abusing the "subject to capacity" exclusion in the OW rules to routinely deny entry for anyone who isn't departing on a BA/AA TATL flight. Mysteriously there is space for TATL pax but as soon as any domestic passengers arrive, the lounge shrinks and is unable to accommodate them... 
So I would expect to have to make alternative arrangements.
So I would expect to have to make alternative arrangements.
Jul 26, 2024 | 11:44 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,272
In theory - yes, you are permitted access under the OneWorld access rules by virtue of arriving in First. In practice, the BA-operated lounges in North America have a policy of abusing the "subject to capacity" exclusion in the OW rules to routinely deny entry for anyone who isn't departing on a BA/AA TATL flight. Mysteriously there is space for TATL pax but as soon as any domestic passengers arrive, the lounge shrinks and is unable to accommodate them...
So I would expect to have to make alternative arrangements.
So I would expect to have to make alternative arrangements.
Regards
Jul 26, 2024 | 12:18 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL; TK Elite (*A Gold); SAS Eurobonus Gold (Skyteam Elite Plus); Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 6,112
OK, I'll bite.
The capacity requirement for the TATL flights is constrained anyway, and the number of BA passengers who are eligible is known ahead of time. So the capacity is reserved. That means the TATL passengers have space when they arrive. Even with that provision, the lounge is routinely full anyway.
It may be that having arrived in F may help since that could open up access to First Dining which isn't busy. Maybe something to ask You First about.
The capacity requirement for the TATL flights is constrained anyway, and the number of BA passengers who are eligible is known ahead of time. So the capacity is reserved. That means the TATL passengers have space when they arrive. Even with that provision, the lounge is routinely full anyway.
It may be that having arrived in F may help since that could open up access to First Dining which isn't busy. Maybe something to ask You First about.
Jul 26, 2024 | 7:49 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: E14
Programs: BA GGL, Marriott, IHG, Sirius, Dusit, Thai, Virgin, Hyatt, BAA, AS, AA(both)
Posts: 1,405
OK, I'll bite.
The capacity requirement for the TATL flights is constrained anyway, and the number of BA passengers who are eligible is known ahead of time. So the capacity is reserved. That means the TATL passengers have space when they arrive. Even with that provision, the lounge is routinely full anyway.
It may be that having arrived in F may help since that could open up access to First Dining which isn't busy. Maybe something to ask You First about.
The capacity requirement for the TATL flights is constrained anyway, and the number of BA passengers who are eligible is known ahead of time. So the capacity is reserved. That means the TATL passengers have space when they arrive. Even with that provision, the lounge is routinely full anyway.
It may be that having arrived in F may help since that could open up access to First Dining which isn't busy. Maybe something to ask You First about.