British Airways Galleries First, London Heathrow

Background British Airways’ Heathrow lounges were closed from midMarch until early July. It started to reopen them on July 4 – Galleries First, followed by Galleries South and North, all at Terminal 5 – with the promise of adding more over the summer. When they reopened, they were offering a very different service. As you would expect, you have to wear a face mask at all times, removing it only when eating or drinking.

- Tom Otley

CHECK-IN I visited the Galleries First lounge three days after it reopened, arriving at the airport at 1500 for my 1845 departure on IB3167 to Madrid. I used the First Wing to check in but since I was flying with BA’s Oneworld partner, Iberia, had to backtrack to Zone E to Iberia’s check-in. I dropped off my bag and then returned to the First Wing, went through security and walked down the corridor to Galleries First. I was given a welcome card, one side of which indicates that you are still using your seat, and the other that you have left and it can be cleaned.