The British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport is one of my favourite outstation lounges in the British Airways network. For a regional airport (and key business traveller commuter route to London Heathrow and City), it really is punching above average – the food is usually great, the staff are always friendly and it’s just never usually that busy.
Post pandemic, British Airways went above and beyond here to look after frequent flyer commuters on this route, adding Johnnie Walker Blue Label, British Airways’ own gin (not usually available outside of the Concorde Room at London Heathrow), Jude’s Ice Cream and other treats. Sadly no more, but I still think this is a really great lounge. Look it’s not the First Lounge at Heathrow or the Concorde Room, but for the Galleries Club Lounge/Business Class Lounge offering, I really like the British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport.
I regularly pass through Edinburgh, so I thought it was finally time to review and share this great lounge.
This is Forward of the Wing’s 2025 review of the fantastic British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport.
Location of the British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport
The British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport is located near Gate 5.
After passing through security and duty free, once in the main area of the terminal, turn left. Continue walking past Barburrito and you will see the big blue familiar façade.
The lounge is conveniently located next to the main British Airways gates used for Edinburgh flights.
Opening Hours
The British Airways Edinburgh Lounge is open from 5am to 8:30pm seven days a week.
This covers all departures from the first 5:50am flight to London (although you will only have 10-20 minutes before boarding to grab a quick bite) through until boarding of the last flight, which usually departs around 9pm depending on the day and flight schedule. If there are any delays to the final flight (which has happened a few times in the past), the staff keep the lounge open which is great. A great example of them going above and beyond.
British Airways does also occasionally fly non-stop to seasonal destinations from Edinburgh Airport too. At the time of writing, they are wrapping up their seasonal service to Florence.
Do note that if you are on the first flight of the day, security and departures usually opens around 4am, so I wouldn’t head to the airport any earlier than that. Maybe aim for closer to 5am and enjoy the extra shuteye.
British Airways Lounge Edinburgh Seating
As a key commuter and business travel-heavy route, Edinburgh has its fair share of frequent flyers and Club Europe travellers. As such, this lounge is big, with plenty of seating to accommodate the 20 daily weekday flights to London City and Heathrow.
When you walk into the British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport, beyond the foyer are two communal high tables, and some dining tables next to the coffee station area. Beyond this is the buffet area with dining tables adjacent. At the rear of the lounge are various low armchairs with side tables and coffee tables, next to the windows. There is also more armchair seating to the left of the buffet area.
In front of the business centre, there are also high-sided work pods, perfect for solo business travellers.
Whether you are travelling for leisure or business, solo, as a couple, or with a group of colleagues or family, there is plenty of seating at the Edinburgh British Airways Lounge to suit all types of frequent flyers.
Business Centre
The British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport also features a business centre, with phone booths, and communal work tables with power points. The phone booths are private, with closing glass doors. The business centre area is located in a quiet nook away from the main lounge, making it perfect for sending last-minute emails.
Views
This lounge features large panoramic windows along the rear of the lounge, meaning that there is plenty of natural light during daylight hours. However the view faces towards the carpark (landside) and away from airside, so sadly no runway views.
British Airways Lounge Edinburgh Food Selection
As I was flying in the evening today, I was here for the rest of the day service, affectionately called the “Afternoon Picnic” menu. British Airways is great as they often change menus seasonally and throughout the day, so food is never usually the same even if you fly regularly.
On my visit today, this is the food selection that was available:
- Chicken, Gammon & Leek Pie
- Vegan Spiced Cauliflower, Lentil & Spinach Pie
- Chicken Makhani
- Peas
- Rice
- Gravy
- Pork Sausage Rolls
- Sundried Tomato & Pepper Quiche
- Tuna Crunch on Tin Bread
- Chicken, Sweetcorn & Lettuce on Malted Bread
- Mexican Beans on Malted Bread
- Lemon Drizzle Cake
- Tyrells Crisps
- Salad Bar
- Cheese Selection
A perfectly acceptable buffet food selection that caters to most dietary requirements. Something for everyone, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options too. Food did look a bit sparse as the lounge was quite busy due to multiple delayed flights, but was regularly topped up by staff. Just really high-quality, hearty and filling scran (Scottish term for food), perfect for dinner before a quick flight to London.
Bar Selection
The bar selection is fairly standard, similar to the Galleries Lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 5. This is what was available on my visit:
Beer
- Heineken
- Heineken 0%
- Speedbird-OG – British Airways x Brewdog Transatlantic IPA
Wine
- Faune 2024 – Moulin de Gassac
- Goldwater Estate 2024 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
- Paul Cluver Chardonnay
- Bottega Prosecco
- Bottega Prosecco Rose
- Paul Cluver Pinot Noir
- Yealands Landmade Pinot Noir
- Champagne (on request)
Spirits
- Singleton Single Malt Classic Scotch Whisky
- Johnnie Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky
- Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky
- Talisker Surge Single Malt Whisky
- Copper Dog Speyside Blended Malt Whisky
- Dimple 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Roe & Co Irish Whiskey
- Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey
- Ketel One Vodka
- Smirnoff Vodka
- Clynelish 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Ciroc Vodka
- Ciroc Pineapple Vodka
- Ciroc Red Berry Vodka
- Bacardi Carta Blanca White Rum
- Ron Santiago De Cuba Ron Carta Blanca Rum
- Ron Santiago De Cuba Ron Anejo Rum
- Ron Santiago De Cuba Ron Extra Anejo Rum
- Pimms
- Six Grapes Port
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Cointreau
- Don Julio Reposado Tequila
- Don Julio Blanco Tequila
- Tanqueray Gin
- Tanqueray 0.0%
- Tanqueray Sevilla Gin
- Tanqueray 0.0% Sevilla
- Tanqueray Royale Gin
- Gordons Gin
- Gordons Pink Gin
- Gordons Sicilian Lemon Gin
- Martini Rosso
- Martini Bianco
There is also a broad selection of non-alcoholic mixers and soft drinks from Fevertree and Coca Cola. Located adjacent to the buffet area is a hydration station, with Apple, Orange, Cranberry and Tomato Juices, as well as two different infused waters.
Like other Galleries Club Lounges, Bottega Prosecco is available from the self-service bar, but Champagne is still available on request by asking any staff member.
In all, the Edinburgh British Airways Lounge has the same bar range as the flagship Galleries Club Lounges at Heathrow, with the addition of some local Scottish whiskies. A great self-serve bar selection for any airport lounge in the world, let alone an outstation lounge.
Bathrooms
The bathrooms are internal, meaning that you don’t need to leave the lounge to go for a bathroom break. They are fairly standard, nothing overly special, but they are modern and clean. Hand wash and body lotion are from Elemis, the same “Revitalise Me” line featured in all other British Airways Lounges around the world.
There are no showers at this lounge sadly, which would be great given this is a business traveller commute-heavy route to London.
How to Access the British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport
Access to the British Airways Lounge at Edinburgh Airport is in line with other British Airways lounges and oneworld lounge access policy:
- British Airways Club Europe Passengers
- oneworld Business Class Passengers
- oneworld First Class Passengers (connecting onto First)
- British Airways Silver, Gold or Gold Guest List elite status holders
- oneworld Sapphire or Emerald holders
Nothing unstandard here, and no day passes are available. If you don’t hold British Airways or oneworld Sapphire status or above, you will need to fly Club Europe or Business Class equivalent.
Conclusion
I have a real fondness towards the Edinburgh British Airways Lounge. For an outstation, there is a fantastic food and bar selection, plenty of seating, and most importantly, the staff are absolutely fantastic.
I have had the pleasure of flying through Edinburgh Airport regularly for the last few years, and it really is worth a visit if you have access. It has continued to improve over the years with new furnishings and better food, and it just seems to get better every time I visit.