British Airways Terminal 3 Galleries First Lounge Review
- Sam
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
The lesser known of the British Airways terminals at Heathrow, Terminal 3 at Heathrow serves over 20 destinations for British Airways, so its an important part of the British Airways operation.
I was on my trip to prove how easy it is to use points, by taking six flights, in 72 hours, all booked with points, and this visit was on the first of these flights, taking a British Airways Club Europe flight to Budapest, reviewed here. This trip wasn't purely flying, I had some time to sample some lounges along the way too, so here is a review of the British Airways Galleries First lounge in Terminal 3.
Some of you may have now clocked that I am on a Business Class ticket, but in a First Class lounge, how? All shall be revealed.
Before we get going...
Did you know that a British Airways Club Europe ticket not only entitles you to access the British Airways Galleries lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3, but also:
American Airlines Admirals Club
Qantas Business Class lounge
Cathay Pacific Business Class lounge (reviewed here)
The British Airways Galleries lounges are open between 5am and 10pm, with access to the Business lounge available to those on a Business Class ticket, or with British Airways Silver (oneworld sapphire), and the First lounge is for those on a First Class ticket, or British Airways Gold (oneworld Emerald).
So How am I in the First Class Lounge?
There is no secret here, the regular Galleries lounge that I was intending to review was full, so instead of turning people away to the other oneworld Business Class lounges listed above, the staff manning the desks directed everyone to the First Class lounge instead!
Don't mind if I do...
I wish there was some secret hack to share with you all, or that somehow I have a man on the inside getting me special access, alas, this was a pure fluke.
How to Find the Galleries First Lounge in Terminal 3?
In Terminal 3, all the lounges have a letter coded to them. A is the American Express Centurion Lounge, which is on its own by Wetherspoons. The rest B-H are all along the same corridor. For the Galleries First Lounge you need to head to F. Confusingly, F is also for the Galleries Business Class and No1 Lounges.
Once you've found this hospital corridor, you're in the right place.
You're Now Inside, How is the Galleries First Lounge in Terminal 3?
Walking into the Galleries First, you're immediately struck by the attempt at sophistication. The reception area has that familiar BA aesthetic - all muted tones and aspirational corporate art - but there's something that feels a bit... weary about it all. It's like arriving at a once-grand hotel that's seen better decades
The space is significantly larger than say the Concorde Room, which sounds promising until you realise that "larger" doesn't necessarily mean "better".
The lounge is spread across multiple areas, each with its own personality disorder. There's the main dining area, which feels like a cross between a hotel restaurant and a corporate canteen. The seating areas are dotted around with varying degrees of comfort - some corners feel genuinely luxurious, while others feel like an afterthought, akin to a dentists waiting room.
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There are two bar areas, a self serve one to the left as you enter...
And a staffed (sometimes) bar to the right as you enter...
You have the choice of a la carte dining, which is a available via a QR code on each table, or a buffet with hot and cold options.
The toilets in British Airways' Heathrow lounges always leave something to be desired, resembling a holding cell. Clean, but lacking refinement.
Final Thoughts
The Galleries First lounge at Terminal 3 is a bit like that restaurant you visit because it's convenient, not because it's particularly good. It serves its purpose, and there are worse places to spend a few hours before a flight, but it's unlikely to be the highlight of your travel experience.
If BA really wants to compete with the likes of Emirates or Qatar Airways in the First Class space, they need to remember that premium passengers aren't just paying for champagne and a hot meal - they're paying for an experience. The Galleries First lounge feels like someone forgot the experience part and focused solely on ticking boxes.
When I'm next in Terminal 3 with access to oneworld lounges, I'll be making my way to the far superior Cathay Pacific lounges. The Business Class lounge may be my new favourite lounge at Heathrow.
Sam
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