One of the three flagship British Airways Club Lounges (Business Class) at London Heathrow Terminal 5, the Club Lounge North is usually the busiest. I haven’t been here in a while as the last few times I have walked past, there have been queues stretching right out the door.
It is usually the busiest as it’s located right next to North Security (and Fast Track), so it’s easiest to find.
As my flight was early morning, I thought I would visit on this occasion as I arrived at the British Airways Club Lounge North London Heathrow only 15 minutes after opening.
This is Forward of the Wing’s 2025 review of the British Airways Club Lounge North at London Heathrow Terminal 5.
Location
The British Airways Club Lounge North is located on the check in and security level of London Heathrow Terminal 5. It is located right next to the north Fast Track security lines, so it’s easy to find.
If you are going through south security or south Fast Track, keep walking to the very northern end of the same level and you will see the sign for the lounge.
North Fast Track is easiest if you are arriving at Terminal 5 by Elisabeth Line, Piccadilly Line or Heathrow Express. Once you enter the check in area via escalator or lift, turn left and look for the Fast Track lane. For the south Fast Track line, turn right and the lane is located right down the end of the terminal, next to the First Wing. At times, one or the other might have a shorter queue, so check the digital signs in the terminal for which side is quieter.
Handy Tip
As you are passing through Fast Track security, British Airways has these handy signs that show you the occupancy of each of the lounges. Typically, I find the British Airways Club Lounge South or Club Lounge T5B quieter than the Club Lounge North, but it depends on the time of day you are travelling.
Departing from Heathrow Terminal 5 B or C Gates
Do take note of which gates your flight is departing from on the departure screens. If you are travelling from the B or C Gates, I highly recommend heading to the Club Lounge T5B instead. It’s usually quieter, and has a slightly enhanced food menu with additional items beyond what is served at the Club Lounge North and South, including the Whispering Angel Bar.
British Airways Club Lounge North Heathrow Opening Hours
The British Airways Club Lounge North T5 London Heathrow Lounge is open from 5am to 10pm seven days a week.
This covers all British Airways London Heathrow Terminal 5 departures, from the first departures at 6:05am until boarding of the final outbound flights departing at 10:30pm.
Heathrow Club Lounge North Seating
Main Dining Area
As you walk into the London Heathrow Club Lounge North, you walk into a double-height dining room adjacent to the buffet, a self-service wine bar and Union Coffee station. Here you find dining room tables for two and four people with bench seating on the eastern side. The northern side also is set right up against the windows, with prime plane spotting views over the northern runway. There are also high bar tables next to the espresso machines in case you are in a rush or there’s no other seating available in the rest of the lounge.
Terrace
Through the door in the northeastern corner is a hidden indoor terrace area. I really like this area as it’s usually the most quiet place in the lounge. This area has a variety of low armchairs with side tables and dining tables for groups, a TV playing BBC News, a small refreshment centre and departure boards.
Bar Area
To the left of the main dining area, there are more armchairs with side tables and low coffee tables, and Guest Services, internal to the lounge. There are also partions between each group of chairs, creating privacy in this open plan lounge.
Beyond this is the bar area and signature wine bar of the London Heathrow Club Lounge North, complete with a stunning horizontal chandelier and two bar stations at either end. There is also bar seating adjacent to the northern windows. Beyond the bar area, there are more low armchairs and low coffee tables, next to another Union Coffee station.
Work and Entertainment Zone
Right in the far corner of the lounge, there is a “work and entertainment zone”, consisting of high bar seating, perfect for getting some work done. I assume this area was chosen for the reason of being in the far corner of the lounge, as it should be the most quiet spot for working, however it is located right next to the Kids Zone.
In all, this lounge is massive with seating for every type of traveller, whether travelling for leisure or for business, however it still often reaches 100% occupancy.
Heathrow Club Lounge North Plane Spotting
Compared to the British Airways Club Lounge South, the Heathrow British Airways Club Lounge North has better plane spotting views, as the layout means that the length of the lounge sits right up against the northern windows overlooking the northern runway. There is also plenty of seating right along the northern windows to soak up these prime plane spotting views. By comparison, the majority of the Club Lounge South is inside the terminal without views, and just the smaller width of the lounge sits up against the windows facing the southern runway. Unfortunately, there are bus gates obstructing the view of the runway, so the British Airways Club Lounge North wins here.
Heathrow Club Lounge North Food
I generally really like the food at British Airways Lounges. With Heathrow being the flagship home hub, the food at the Club Lounge North lives up to the high standard. Chefs are given the room to experiment with menus, and menus change regularly with new and interesting dishes. Food also changes throughout the day, with a different breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Afternoon tea is also served mid-afternoon with a selection of scones and sandwiches.
As I was here early morning, I indulged in a British Airways Full English breakfast, with a glass of champagne.
Continental breakfast items are also available, including a very broad fruit station.
Here is what was on offer during the breakfast service:
- Bacon
- Scrambled Eggs
- Sausages
- Vegan Sausages (on request)
- Roasted Tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Baked Beans
- Hash Browns
- Selection of Cereals with Semi-skimmed milk or Oat milk
- Greek or Peach Yogurt
- Watermelon
- Grapes
- Papaya
- Cantelope Melon
- Honeydew Melon
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Pink Grapefruit
- Selection of breads and pastries
By airport lounge breakfast standards, you can’t really get better than this. I find breakfasts tend to be underwhelming, and for that reason I actively choose evening flights as the dinner service is usually much better. However, I think the British Airways Club Lounge North (and all the other British Airways Lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 5) do a great job. All three lounges have the same menu at the same time everyday, so you won’t be missing out if the Club Lounge North is full and you must go to another Heathrow lounge. The Club Lounge T5B does have some additional food options too from a staffed chef station, but the majority of food is the same as the Club Lounge North and South.
Heathrow Club Lounge North Bar Selection
The self-service Bar Selection at the British Airways Club Lounge North is great, and is fairly standard amongst all the three airport lounges. I was here first thing in the morning, but the bar selection is available all day, including champagne on request (just ask a staff member). This is what is available from the main bar area on my visit:
Beer
- Speedbird-OG British Airways x Brewdog IPA
- Heineken
- Heineken 0% Beer
Wine
- Champagne (upon request)
- Bottega Prosecco
- Bottega Prosecco Rosé
- Moulin de Gassac Faune 2024
- Inama Vin Soave 2023
- De Morgenzon Chardonnay 2021
- Chiuse Vidalba Etna Rosso 2021
- Yealands Land Made Pinot Noir
- Irache Reserva 2019
- Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico 2023
- Old Soul Old Vine Zinfandel 2021
Spirits
- Ketel One Vodka
- Smirnoff Vodka
- Ciroc Vodka
- Ciroc Pineapple Vodka
- Ciroc Red Berry Vodka
- Tanqueray Gin
- Tanqueray Sevilla Gin
- Tanqueray 0.0%
- Tanqueray 0.0% Sevilla
- Gordons Gin
- Gordons Pink Gin
- Gordons Sicilian Lemon Gin
- Don Julio Reposado Tequila
- Don Julio Blanco Tequila
- Six Grapes Port
- Martini Rosso
- Baileys
- Pimms
- Martini Bianco
- Ron Santiago De Cuba Ron Carta Blanca Rum
- Ron Santiago De Cuba Ron Anejo Rum
- Ron Santiago De Cuba Ron Extra Anejo Rum
- Bacardi Carta Blanca White Rum
- Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky
- Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky
- Roe & Co Irish Whiskey
- Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey
- Talisker Surge Single Malt Whisky
In addition, British Airways have three self-serve pre-made cocktails: Negroni, Old Fashioned and a non-alcoholic Tom Collins.
Non-Alcoholic Options
There are also a range of non-alcoholic options and mixers including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke No Sugar, Fanta, Fevertree Tonic Water and Slimline, Fevertree Ginger Ale, Fevertree Club Soda, juices and Sprite. Close to the entrance, there is also a hydration station with two types of infused waters, apple and orange juice, and a fruit of the forest smoothie.
Coffee Stations
British Airways has a long-standing partnership with East London-based Union Coffee, who provide all coffee beans for their lounges and coffee onboard in premium cabins. Semi-skim milk and oat milk is also available, with each coffee machine only being stocked with whole milk.
Summary
I’m a big fan of the British Airways lounge bar selection – there is something for every taste here, and some nice premium options too in addition to typical airport lounge finds. They do also change certain spirits out and change wines from time to time, which provide some variety for frequent fliers.
Kids Area
As one of the three flagship airport lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 5, luckily for families travelling through with young kids, the British Airways Club Lounge North has a Kids Area with a selection of games and video games to keep the kids entertained for hours. Both the Club Lounge South and Club Lounge T5B also have kids’ areas, so if the Club Lounge North is full, head to one of the other lounges.
Bathrooms and Showers
The British Airways Club Lounge North features internal bathrooms, so no need to leave the lounge to go to the toilet. They are modern and clean individual bathroom suites, in the same style as all other British Airways bathrooms in the numerous lounges at Heathrow. They all feature signature Elemis Revitalise-Me Hand Wash and Body Lotion.
Towards the rear of the lounge is the shower reception. Never underestimate how nice a shower is ahead of a long-haul flight or during transit. All shower suites feature a rain shower and hand shower, with Elemis Revitalise-Me body wash and shampoo. A variety of other toiletry kits are also available from the attendant, including shaving kits, shower caps and dental kits on request.
How to Access the British Airways Club Lounge North at London Heathrow Terminal 5
Access to the British Airways Club Lounge North at London Heathrow Terminal 5 is in line with the other British Airways lounges at Heathrow and standard oneworld lounge access requirements:
- British Airways Club Europe Passengers
- British Airways Club World (Business Class) Passengers
- oneworld Business Class Passengers
- British Airways Silver elite status holders + 1 guest
- oneworld Sapphire holders + 1 guest
If you hold British Airways Gold, Gold Guest List or are flying First with British Airways or another oneworld carrier, you should head to the British Airways First Lounge instead.
This access list is standard British Airways lounge policy, and no day passes are available. There are two paid lounge options at London Heathrow Terminal 5: Club Aspire and Plaza Premium. My pick of the two would be the Club Aspire Lounge.
Conclusion
Whilst all three of the British Airways Lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 5 are fairly similar, the Club Lounge North is my least favourite of the three, purely because of how constantly busy this lounge is.
The Club Lounge North is definitely the best British Airways Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5 for plane spotting, but I prefer the Club Lounge South or the Club Lounge T5B generally as I find they are always a bit quieter and there is more space to relax.
Make sure to use the occupancy tracker screens post-security to see how busy each of the three British Airways Lounges are, and head to the quietest.