The Concorde Room at Heathrow Terminal 5 – The Ultimate First Class Lounge Experience Review
- Helena
- May 13
- 5 min read
If you're looking for more information on the Concorde Room at Heathrow Terminal 5, then buckle up, because this is the ultimate First Class lounge experience, the full review, of British Airways' most exclusive lounge.
As we mentioned in our British Airways First Class flight review, we were lucky enough to get access to the legendary Concorde Room. And let us tell you, it’s nothing like any other airport lounge we’ve experienced before.
What Is the Concorde Room at Heathrow?
The Concorde Room is British Airways' flagship First Class lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5, and it's only accessible to those flying First Class on British Airways or holding a Concorde Room card. It's not part of the regular lounge access programs like Priority Pass or for those who hold oneworld status, this one’s strictly for the elite few.
First Impressions: Understated Luxury
From the moment you step inside, the Concorde Room feels different. Forget sterile airport lounges, this space is like stepping into a stylish, private members' club, or even better, a good friend’s beautifully curated living room.
You're greeted by the soft aroma of fresh spring flowers. Roses, delphiniums, lilies, and dahlias, all arranged in soft pinks that feel seasonal, sophisticated, and just plain luxurious. This fragrance hits you before the visuals even register, a sensory welcome that instantly calms.
Lounge Atmosphere, Elegant Comfort Meets Private Retreat
The design of the Concorde Room is all about comfort with character. Think plush sofas, wingback chairs, coffee tables, and intimate seating areas that make you feel like you’re in a very fancy home, not an airport terminal.
There are plenty of quiet corners to work, relax or sip Champagne, and although it’s exclusive, it doesn’t feel pretentious. It’s private without being cold, a very fine balance that BA has absolutely nailed here. British Airways' Galleries lounges in Terminal 5 for business class passengers are completely oversubscribed and constantly ram packed of passengers, the space to passenger ratio is perfect here. Not as eery as the Al Safwa First Class lounge in Doha, has a lovely buzz to it.
Dining on the Terrace, Fine Dining With a View
Naturally, we had to sample the dining: in the name of review research, of course! The Concorde Room Terrace is a beautiful spot overlooking the airfield, and the à la carte menu didn’t disappoint.
The Menu
Below is the menu that was on offer on the Terrace whilst we dined:
Champagne to Start
We began with Pommery Cuvée Louise (retailing at over £200 a bottle), a beautifully crisp Champagne, with attentive staff keeping our glasses generously topped up.
Starters: Hit or Miss
Smoked Salmon with Caviar: Nicely presented, and the caviar lifted the dish, but the salmon was a bit chewy for my taste.
Duck Salad: Sam’s choice and honestly, the better of the two. Balanced, flavourful, and beautifully plated.
Mains: Schnitzel Wins
Ribeye Steak: Paired with asparagus, potato and a lovely sauce, though the steak itself was a bit tough.
Chicken Schnitzel with Fried Egg: The standout. Perfectly cooked, simple but elevated, and full of flavour.
Dessert: Sweet Endings
Mango & Passionfruit Sorbet: Light, refreshing, with that hint of creaminess that sets apart a truly great sorbet.
Cereal Milk Panna Cotta: Sam’s dessert stole the show. Topped with caramelised cornflakes and raspberry gel, this was a unique and unforgettable dish that hit nostalgic and modern notes at once.
Post-Meal Relaxing: Work, Wine, and Concorde Nostalgia
We settled into one of the sofas in the main lounge area to get a bit of work done, sipping on:
Bordeaux red (Sam’s pick)
Rock Angel Rosé (mine, and yes, it lived up to the hype)
One lovely detail is the collection of original Concorde memorabilia on display. From a full nose cone in the corner of the terrace, to models of the aircraft and in-flight items from the original Concorde service, it’s a nostalgic nod to aviation history that adds real character to the space.
Is the Concorde Room at Heathrow Worth It?
In one word: absolutely.
If you’re flying British Airways First Class out of Heathrow, then do not miss the chance to visit the Concorde Room. It’s:
Peaceful and exclusive
Genuinely luxurious
Beautifully designed
And offers an elevated dining experience worthy of your ticket price
From the Pommery Champagne to the quiet nooks perfect for relaxing, the Concorde Room is a reminder of how travel used to feel: elegant, considered, and human.
Naturally there are areas of the lounge that feel a bit tired, stained sofas etc. as well as some amenities that used to exist have closed down, such as the Elemis Spa. I suspect if you had previously flown First when the Concorde room was fresh and new it must have felt very different, especially with a spa! To those, the Concorde room could feel outdated, and tired. But that's part of the charm of it feeling like your friends living room. This isn't Emirates with gold and tortoiseshell, this is a very British take on what First Class means.
Final Thoughts
Having visited some of the world’s best lounges, from Qatar Airways’ Lounge at Terminal 4 and the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge in Doha, to Cathay Pacific’s The Pier in Hong Kong, we can say confidently that the Concorde Room sits firmly in the top tier. Yes this isn't the fanciest of lounges, but it's not trying to be. This is a very British take on refinement,
Not just because of what it offers, but because of how it makes you feel: like a valued guest, not just a passenger. To confirm that point, whilst we were sat having dinner, the gentleman behind us was celebrating his birthday, He was travelling on his own, he hadn't mentioned his birthday to the staff but they were fully aware of it and not only did a little pudding with a candle in it arrive, but they also got him a gift. He was so happy about it, it was very touching to witness. Individual service like that is always incredible, whether you are receiving it or watching it, and Sam and I certainly felt this was just the sort of “surprise and delight” you expect from such a place.
Helena
