British Airways plans its first lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5C

British Airways has unveiled the next stage of its Heathrow lounge transformation, including a new lounge at Terminal 5 C Gates and a complete redevelopment of its Terminal 5 Arrivals lounge.

The programme forms part of a wider investment that will eventually see every British Airways lounge at Heathrow redesigned, alongside a new First check-in experience at Terminal 3 developed with American Airlines.

The new Terminal 5 C Gates lounge will be one of the airline's largest lounge projects to date. Work is already underway, with the space expected to open at the end of 2028.

Image: Terminal 5C lounge concept. © British Airways

Designed around British craftsmanship, the lounge will include dedicated areas for dining, relaxation and work, alongside pre-flight shower facilities. A 17-metre bar will form the centrepiece and is expected to be among the longest airport lounge bars in the world.

First class customers will have access to a separate Concorde lounge within the new space, with private concierge service, elevated dining and additional privacy.

More immediate changes are also planned for the Terminal 5 Arrivals lounge. Refurbishment is due to begin in early 2027, with the redesigned space scheduled to open by the end of 2027.

The new Arrivals lounge will include a coffee bar and deli, larger dining areas, quiet relaxation zones and dedicated work booths. There will also be 59 shower rooms, premium shower suites and shared dressing and preparation areas.

First customers will gain a dedicated Concorde Arrivals experience with private cabanas and elegant dining areas.

At Terminal 3, British Airways and American Airlines will also introduce a new First check-in facility this winter, extending the exclusive offering beyond Terminal 5.

For Palates & Miles, the significance of this news is the scale of what British Airways is trying to change at Heathrow.

This is not a single lounge refurbishment. BA is moving towards a more consistent ground experience across departure, arrival and First check-in, while eventually redesigning every one of its Heathrow lounges. That matters because the airport experience is an important part of how a premium journey is judged, particularly at an airline's home hub. British Airways itself describes the programme as an attempt to improve the journey from airport arrival through to boarding and arrival at the destination.

We look forward to finding out more as things progress over the coming months and years.