Some of the products we mention in this article are from our partners who compensate us. This does not influence our articles, which are the opinion of the author, and are intended to showcase the best offers available to our readers at the time of writing, for information and editorial purposes only.
The British Airways Club Lounge T5B at London Heathrow has been on my list for a long while. T5B and T5C are the London Heathrow gates generally for long-haul widebody aircraft, although there are exceptions. On my visit, there was a flight to Dublin departing from T5B, and there are other narrowbody flights too.
This lounge is one of the three flagship British Airways Lounges at their home hub at London Heathrow Terminal 5. Because of the distance from the A Gates, this is usually the most quiet.
This is Forward of the Wing’s review of the brilliant British Airways Club Lounge T5B at London Heathrow (B Gates at Terminal 5).
Location
The British Airways Club Lounge T5B is located at the B Gates at London Heathrow. To get there, after security (which is located at the A Gates), follow the first escalator down you see and then head to the middle of the terminal. Next to the M&S and Pret are the escalators and elevators down to the transit train to the B and C Gates. The transit train is super quick and easy, and most importantly, frequent. Once at the B Gates stop, follow the escalators up to the B Gates and head right. You will see signs for the British Airways Club Lounge T5B, which is up one more set of escalators near gate B26.
Handy Tip
If you are passing through Fast Track security, British Airways have these handy signs that show you the occupancy of each of the lounges. One of the main drawcards of the British Airways Club Lounge T5B is that it is located away from the main terminal. So it’s usually quieter than both Galleries North and Galleries South.
Transferring between flights at London Heathrow Terminal 5
If you are transferring from a British Airways flight onto another flight, follow the purple signs for Flight Connections. Flight Connections is located at the A Gates. You’ll still need to take the train back to the A Gates and follow the purple signs for transit security. When connecting between flights at Heathrow, you still need to go through transit security. Then, escalators take you up to the departures level. If you are connecting onto a domestic British Airways flight also departing from Terminal 5, you will also clear immigration in addition to security.
To get to the to British Airways Club Lounge T5B, you will need to take the transit train back to the B Gates from departures level. If your departing flight departs from A Gates, you will need to use the passenger walkway to walk back, or if you are departing from C Gates, take the transit train again to C Gates. Just keep an eye on the time to make sure you have enough time between flights and before boarding.
Departing from Terminal 5 A or C Gates
Do take note of which gates your flight is departing from. You can still use the British Airways Club Lounge T5B if you are flying from the A or C Gates, but do allow plenty of time to reach your gate ahead of boarding. C Gates is easy – you need to take the lift next to Gate B26 back to the train level (Level -2) and get the transit train one stop. A Gates, it’s a little further. Take the elevator (same one, next to gate B26) to level -4. You will need to walk back to the A Gates, then take the elevator up to departures level. For reference, this took me roughly 6 minutes at a brisk pace, plus time to get to your gate, so I’d say leave the British Airways T5B Lounge roughly 10 minutes before boarding time just to be safe.
In all, if the Galleries North or Galleries South Lounges are overcrowded (which they usually are), don’t be put off if you have time to head to this lounge as it’s not actually that far to get back to A Gates. Just keep an eye on the clock.
Opening Hours
The British Airways Club Lounge T5B at London Heathrow 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.
Seating Options
There are seating areas for every type of traveller in this lounge. Whether you are a business traveller and need to get work done, solo or couple leisure travellers, travelling with work colleagues or family, there are a variety of suitable private areas in the lounge.
Turning right from the entrance is a dining room table section, adjacent to the buffet. Further along, there is a quiet working area with elevated high work tables, perfect for sending some last-minute emails. Beyond that is a relaxing area with egg chairs and booth couch seating. A really nice spot to relax away from the main lounge area, especially ahead of a long-haul flight.
Heading left from the entrance is the Whispering Angel Bar, with low navy couches, armchairs and tables, and also the Kids Area.
Behind the entrance wall, there is a large communal high table, great for groups and families, some dining tables, and low armchairs with side tables perfect for couples and solo travellers. There are also some more comfy Egg Chairs along the window, and more armchairs. The main bar area also has high bar seating with built-in wireless chargers too.
There is plenty of seating in this lounge, and it never feels crowded even when busy. Lots of partitioning helps to section off different areas, so whilst open plan, wherever you are seated feels private.
Plane Spotting
The B Gates are quite narrow, and so the British Airways T5B Lounge stretches from one side to the other, elevated on the the 3rd floor. You can get fantastic plane watching views from both sides of this lounge, but I highly recommend the cosy Egg Chairs on the rear side of the lounge. Prime position for plane spotting.
There are also Egg Chairs located in the Relaxing Area at the end of the lounge next to the shower entrance with apron views, but the balustrade has frosting about half way up the glass, so I’d prefer the area at the rear of the lounge. The dining area also has panoramic views without the balustrade frosting.
Food Options
The food here is above average for an airport lounge, and showcases classic (and sometimes innovative) British cuisine. Chefs aren’t afraid to experiment with new options, changing regularly, and menus often reflect seasonal produce.
The British Airways T5B Lounge has the addition of a staffed counter serving some additional options beyond the standard British Airways Lounge fare. On my visit, there was a Jacket Potato station with a variety of toppings available, and a variety of other savoury morsels including an Pie which was great. There is also an extensive salad bar, soup and bread, dessert station and the main hot buffet.
Here is what was on offer during my recent visit:
- Jacket Potatoes with a range of toppings available
- Vegan Scotch Eggs with Butternut Squash Centres
- Hasselback Potatoes
- Mexican Vegetable Pozole
- Cumin Rice
- Pea, goat’s cheese and mint tart
- Cheese fish bites with tartare sauce
- Roasted peppers and peas
- Penne with Meat Free Ragu
- Chicken in a Creamy Semi Dried Tomato sauce
- Pork Pie with red onion chutney
- Sausage Roll
- Chicken Salad Baguette (made to order)
- Carrot slab cake
- Stilton, Red Leicester and Seedless Grapes
- Salad Bar
- Coronation Chickpea Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Black Rice, Quinoa and Edamame Salad
- Edamame and Quinoa Salad
- Cabbage Slaw
- Tortilla Chips with Guacamole, Hummus, Cheese, Jalapenos, Sour Cream and Tomato Salsa
- Pea and Mint Soup
- Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Apple Crumble Pie with Crème Anglaise
At the end of the communal bar high table, there is also a Pick N Mix sweet station, great for adults and kids alike.
In all, a fantastic, broad selection and a step above (even if the Galleries North and Galleries South Lounges have a slightly reduced selection). I really like that they have Jacket Potatoes and a variety of other morsels here, which sets this lounge apart. Much better than your typical airport lounge, and a wider selection than the main Galleries South and Galleries North lounges located at the A Gates.
Beer, Wine and Spirits Selection
The Bar Selection at the British Airways London Heathrow T5B Lounge is great, with the same standard selection as the other British Airways Lounges at London Heathrow and wider afield. The exception and one of the main reasons for visiting this lounge besides the quiet is the fantastic Whispering Angel Bar (but more about that later). This is what is available from the main bar area:
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
- Paul Cluver Village Chardonnay 2024
- Inama Vin Soave 2023
- Paul Cluver Village Pinot Noir 2023
- Irache Reserva 2019
- Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico 2023
- Old Soul Old Vine Zinfandel 2021
- The Pale by Sacha Lichine Rosé
- Whispering Angel Rosé
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
- Tanqueray Royale Gin
- Gordons Gin
- Gordons Pink Gin
- Gordons Sicilian Lemon Gin
- Don Julio Reposado Tequila
- Don Julio Blanco Tequila
- Six Grapes Port
- Martini Rosso Vermouth
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Martini Bianco Vermouth
- 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
Cocktails (self service, pre-made)
- Tom Collins (non-alcoholic)
- Old Fashioned
- Negroni
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 Tonic Water, Fevertree Ginger Ale, Soda Water, juices and Sprite.
In the middle of the lounge, there is also a hydration station with a selection of vitamin-enriched fruit juices, infused waters and fruit smoothies.
Whispering Angel Bar
The main drawcard and highlight for many to visit the British Airways Club Lounge T5B is the Whispering Angel Bar. This section of the lounge features a long bar with a Whispering Angel pop-up, with free-flowing bottles of the No. 1 Rosé in the world.
If you can’t make it to the T5B gates, The Pale by Sacha Lichine is served in the main Galleries North and Galleries South lounges, which is also delicious and made by the same wine producer, Chateau d’Esclans. But Whispering Angel does have the upper hand here in my humble opinion.
Kids Area
Given that the T5 B and C gates generally cater to widebody long haul flights, it’s great to see an enclosed kids area in this lounge for families travelling with young children. There a selection of games and video games to keep the kids entertained for hours.
Bathrooms and Showers
The British Airways Club Lounge T5B 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. Likewise, they feature signature Elemis Revitalise-Me Hand Wash and Body Lotion.
This lounge also features shower suites within the lounge itself, however on my visit these were closed for some reason. They share the same style as the main lounge showers at the Galleries South Lounge, and the British Airways Lounge at Terminal 3.
How to Access the British Airways Lounge at London Heathrow T5B
Access to the British Airways Lounge at London Heathrow T5B 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
- oneworld Sapphire holders
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 for oneworld airport lounges worldwide, and is the normal British Airways lounge policy. 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, as I think the food and beverage offering is better.
Conclusion
For one of the three flagship British Airways Galleries Club Lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 5, the British Airways Club Lounge T5B is their best in my opinion.
With the slightly upgraded food offering, the Whispering Angel Bar, plenty of space and most importantly, the fact that this lounge is generally quieter than the Galleries South and Galleries North lounges, if you have the time before your flight, I highly recommend visiting.
If your flight departs from the A Gates and you have time, it’s worth heading here first then heading back to Galleries South or Galleries North after so the walk to your boarding gate is easy. If not, you’re already at the B Gates and the C Gates are easy to get to via the transit train.
In all, a brilliant airport lounge worthy of being one of British Airways three flagship business class lounges at their home hub, London Heathrow Terminal 5.
If you are planning to stopover in London, check out my 2-Night First Timer Stopover Itinerary.