Airport lounges British Airways BA440 – London – Amsterdam Flight & Lounge Review

To the point Here's our photo report from the Arrivals and Concorde Room lounges and flight BA440 from London to Amsterdam with Avios miles and Scotia Rewards points.

After my first-class flight on British Airways from New York JFK to London Heathrow, it was time to relax in the airport lounges before boarding my connecting flight to Amsterdam, my destination for the weekend!

Flight British Airways BA440 – London – Amsterdam

It’s a long way through Terminal 5 to reach lounge British Airways Arrivals.

lhr ams british 02 — Terminal 5 – London Heathrow

With little signposting, I’ll first have to clear customs (very quick thanks to the new passport scanners) before heading for the terminal exit…. and then asking for directions to finally find lounge!

lhr ams british 01 — Terminal 5 – London Heathrow – Arrivals Lounge

lhr ams british 03 — Terminal 5 – London Heathrow – Arrivals Lounge

The Arrivals Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5

At this time of day, lounge is not very busy. Nice! Here are some pictures of the relaxation areas and the buffet.

lhr ams british 04 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 05 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 06 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 07 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 08 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 09 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 10 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 11 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 12 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 13 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – London Heathrow

But before lunch, I decide to take a bath. Indeed, the lounge offers a large number of showers and a few cabanas with bathtubs. Given the low traffic at the lounge, there’s very little waiting for my “cabana” to be ready.

lhr ams british 14 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR

lhr ams british 15 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR

lhr ams british 16 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR – Cabana

lhr ams british 17 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR – Cabana

lhr ams british 18 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR – Cabana

lhr ams british 19 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – LHR – Cabana

What could be better than a nice bubble bath after a transatlantic flight? Meanwhile, a valet is ironing my jacket and shirt. Royal!

After this “brin de toilette”, I decided to go to the Spa. All passengers traveling in first class are entitled to a 15-20 minute massage, barber, facial…

lhr ams british 20 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Elemis Spa

lhr ams british 21 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Elemis Spa

lhr ams british 22 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Elemis Spa

Normally on appointment, I go directly since there is no one! I chose an excellent back and shoulder massage.

lhr ams british 23 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Elemis Spa – Massage

After a nice bubble bath and massage, it’s time for lunch. I made my way to the room reserved for First Class passengers. The difference: it is not a buffet, but a table service.

lhr ams british 24 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Lunch

lhr ams british 25 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Lunch

Shortly after lunch, I head to the lounge business center to start writing my milesopedia articles!

lhr ams british 26 — Galleries Arrivals Lounge – Business center

After 2 hours at the lounge, I leave it to go through security to another lounge… the Concorde Room in Terminal 5!

The lounge Concorde Room at London Heathrow

Indeed, although my connection to Amsterdam will be in economy class, having travelled in First Class just before, this entitles me to access London Heathrow’s most prestigious lounge.

lhr ams british 29 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 30 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow

lhr ams british 32 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow

The lounge offers a very British/classy interior space, as well as a terrace overlooking the interior of Terminal 5.

lhr ams british 33 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Terrace

lhr ams british 34 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Terrace

You can dine at the table, just like in a restaurant. Everything is free of course.

lhr ams british 35 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Table

The choice of alcohols is excellent.

lhr ams british 36 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Alcools

I decide to sit comfortably in a club chair and order a burger accompanied by a glass of rosé champagne.

non-expiration of best western points — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – Menu

lhr ams british 37 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – BA Burger and Champagne

lhr ams british 38 — Concorde Room – London Heathrow – View from lounge

After an hour in the Concorde Room, it’s time for me to head for my door.

On the way to Amsterdam

The widespread strike in France is causing delays and cancellations. My flight will arrive from Nice (my birthplace 🙂 ) with about 30 minutes of delay.

lhr ams british 40 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5 – Departure Screen

The airport is particularly busy, as usual. I was delighted to be able to relax in the lounges, away from all the stress!

lhr ams british 41 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5

lhr ams british 42 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5

lhr ams british 43 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5 – Original storefront!

lhr ams british 44 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5

Here I am at my gate for my flight to Amsterdam.

lhr ams british 45 — London Heathrow – Terminal 5 – Gate A22

One can immediately feel the “downgrade”. Travelling in economy, I no longer have access to the priority lanes, and a stewardess comes up to me to tell me that my cabin baggage is too large and will have to be checked. I point out that some passengers – especially in the priority queue – have bags as big as mine! In vain…

That’s the “First Class to Economy” effect. The fall is hard.

Note that this passenger was able to bring on board his cooler.

lhr ams british 48 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Boarding

What is the difference between business and economy class on British Airways’ intra-European flights? No legroom. Just the middle armchair was blocked off and used as a communal table.

lhr ams british 51 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Business Class

I arrive at my seat. Like the rest of the cabin, it looks new. The leather is of excellent quality!

lhr ams british 53 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Seat 12A

I notice that my cabin baggage… would have fit nicely in the luggage compartments. In short, no comment.

lhr ams british 54 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Luggage Storage

There is storage for magazines, and the legroom is decent.

lhr ams british 56 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam

We leave the door 30 minutes late. The pilot will not fail to point out that those responsible are “once again, the French strikers”. Sighs are heard among the passengers, and I make myself small. 😀

It’s a busy late afternoon at London Heathrow. It will take a good 20 minutes before takeoff.

lhr ams british 59 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Roulage

lhr ams british 60 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Roulage

lhr ams british 61 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Virgin Atlantic A346

lhr ams british 62 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Traffic jam

Here is a video of the takeoff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW9BnKkd_qE

Shortly after takeoff, the service begins. It has to be said that the flight is very short (30 minutes). The choice is simple: sweet or savory and a few soft drinks.

lhr ams british 63 — London Heathrow – Amsterdam – Service

After this short flight, I arrived at my destination for the weekend: Amsterdam!

Bottom Line

The experience at London Heathrow, particularly in the two British Airways lounges, was excellent. I arrived at my destination completely rested, and was able to work efficiently during that day.

The flight to Amsterdam went smoothly, except for the carry-on baggage that I had to check. I wasted a good twenty minutes waiting at the baggage carousels.

The maps to make this trip

Here, I needed American Express cards with Membership Rewards (transferable to Avios miles) and my Scotiabank Gold American Express card (which allowed me to pay the taxes with Scotia Rewards points).

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.

All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Review type

Airport lounges

Region

London

4.4 Milesopedia Rating