I flew to Washington D.C. last week to meet my fiancée and her family for Thanksgiving dinner. As part of my United Airlines Polaris ticket, I was eligible to enjoy the United Club lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 2.
Smooth sailing
Thankfully, I wasn't caught in the travel chaos that impacted many United States services during the week. The relaxed mood of the trip was set from the beginning with the tranquil setting of the lounge.
The open-plan room has an airside view of taxied aircraft at the terminal. However, construction of what looks like a satellite terminal obstructed the otherwise fantastic scenery. The wide windows behind the bar allow for plenty of natural lighting, something which many airport lounges lack.
Before settling down, I took a tour around the complex. I started by admiring the photos and art of classic United memorabilia on the wall. Browsing each piece led me to the far end of the room, which held a soft drinks unit.
Here, there is a range of juices and teas available on tap.
Other areas
Behind this counter is a circular waiting room type unit, with the news showing on the TV, along with plenty of newspapers and magazines on display.
Adjacent to this segment is a business unit for those needing to get some work crammed in ahead of their boarding time.
A great aspect of the business room is that there are plenty of quiet pods to escape from all the distractions at the airport. In each of the cubicles, there is a desk and charging ports for portable devices.
Making my way to the canteen, I stopped for a drink at the bar and noticed the Thanksgiving decorations on display. I had a brief chat with the bartender and was ready to have some brunch.
Time to dine
As it was a noon flight, the buffet still had breakfast offerings. There were several big breakfast options to choose from, including eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms, toast, and beans.
There were also extra pastries available, from bagels to muffins.
To chow down, I chose to sit next to the window and gaze at the planes arriving in. Compared with the United Club that I visited in Washington (we will share a review on that in the future), this lounge was fairly quiet. There were enough people around to offer an engaging atmosphere but it was quiet enough to not feel overwhelmed.
Pleasant experience
I wouldn't be surprised if many fliers purposely leave early to get to this lounge before their flight. The welcoming yet constructive ambiance gives an incentive to sit back and relax or get some work done. Next time, I'll definitely leave home an hour earlier so I can get some articles written while sampling more of the specialist hot drinks here.
Altogether, this United Club lounge offers the perfect balance of business and pleasure. The decor is classy but the atmosphere is not pretentious. I'd like to thank United for the opportunity to be a guest at this lounge.
Have you had a chance to visit the United Club at London Heathrow Terminal 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.