Hello from the Gold Circle Lounge - Heathrow T2

WOW!

Here I am for my late afternoon flight back to MAN. After arriving into T2 on Wednesday I got a real sense of T2 and I really like it.

It does add some time to and from the Underground or Heathrow Express because its further away from those stations, but it's a great terminal.

Today arrived around 3pm and checked in quickly at the Little Red priority desk, fast-track was just that.....though it still doesn't recognise the LR boarding pass so a member of staff has to manually process you. That was a real pain over at T1.

When aside found the Aer Lingus Gold circle lounge easily and what a treat. Welcomed warmly, wifi working well. The food options are cheese (good selection), soup (Carrot and Coriander), bags of pretzels and peanuts, fruit, biscuits and cookies with a full bar including nicely chilled prosecco!

The lounge is busy as I look over 27L/09R and I'm looking down on at the aircraft,

In a word....WOW - really like it and a huge step up from T1.

Just need to keep LR flying now.....

Jon

Thanks Jon; I came down on Wednesday too.

The arrivals process for LR seems straightforward.. follow half a dozen corridors, wait next to a small baggage carousel (with no seating) and the you're out. I thought the walk to the tube was actually a bit quicker than from T1.

I previously enquired to the airport why the fast-track auto gates cannot be programmed to recognise VS gold... they bluffed an answer, but the bottom line is that it's not going to change.. so we're still going to have to be manually put through, with the security guy look at us like we're trying to chance it, stare for a full minute at the gold card declaring they "have never seen one before", and making us feel like they're doing us a favour by letting us through. Ho hum...

I fly back up on Sunday, so will see the lounge then. Although I was technically in it a year ago during construction...!

Thanks Jon; I came down on Wednesday too.

The arrivals process for LR seems straightforward.. follow half a dozen corridors, wait next to a small baggage carousel (with no seating) and the you're out. I thought the walk to the tube was actually a bit quicker than from T1.

I previously enquired to the airport why the fast-track auto gates cannot be programmed to recognise VS gold... they bluffed an answer, but the bottom line is that it's not going to change.. so we're still going to have to be manually put through, with the security guy look at us like we're trying to chance it, stare for a full minute at the gold card declaring they "have never seen one before", and making us feel like they're doing us a favour by letting us through. Ho hum...

I fly back up on Sunday, so will see the lounge then. Although I was technically in it a year ago during construction...!

I know exactly what you mean about the arrivals process, you do sort of back-track on yourself but it was quiet and worked well. I didn't notice the lack of seating but that would be an issue.

Enjoy the lounge on Sunday, I am probably visiting it at one of its busier times (Friday afternoon) but a good atmosphere and friendly staff. The prosecco is going down well....

Jon

Alas, my car is parked at EDI long-stay, so I won't be sampling the prosecco.

You go ahead and have my share...

Doh, I was nearly on that flight but in the end went for the late one!

Glad you enjoyed the EI lounge, I'm happily ensconced in the United lounge over in the B satellite enjoying a glass of Pimms and a not half bad cottage pie.

Servisair, I don't miss you!

Alas, my car is parked at EDI long-stay, so I won't be sampling the prosecco.

You go ahead and have my share...

Had a cheeky couple of glasses. All very nice

Doh, I was nearly on that flight but in the end went for the late one!

Glad you enjoyed the EI lounge, I'm happily ensconced in the United lounge over in the B satellite enjoying a glass of Pimms and a not half bad cottage pie.

Servisair, I don't miss you!

Indeed, Servisair I don't miss you either and a bit of a step up from the Costa cards too. Shame about missing each other.....hearing great things about the United lounge.

The VS3043 was a super flight, over 100 Northbound with a cheeky drink or two......and a rather quick flight which took the wonderful crew a little by surprise, but the professionals they are, they managed to serve a drink to everyone that wanted one

Another week of LR flying over. Have a good weekend everyone.

Jon

Just arrived in the AerLingus lounge, and echo Jon's comments...

Couple of extra things:

- Check-in seem fine with arriving early. Due to a cancelled meeting, I am here 4 hours before my flight! No problem at check-in, to check in my bag. And I don't think it's a gold benefit, as I hadn't yet brought out my bp or card.

- Fast track security does indeed seem excellent. The fast track area is walled off from main security, and has 4 machines (only 1 open today, but no problem as no queue). And they're using the latest Siemens machine setup, which is far more 'customer flow' friendly than the prev generation of machine setup, seen in T5.
And there's more physical space around, generally.

- Aer Lingus lounge is very good. Perhaps one of the best things is that seem to be several staff walking around, clearing/cleaning/tidying.

I really hope VS don't cancel the Little Red service. It is working so well... I really don't want to be going back to the BA shuttles, which always seem a more stressful experience for some reason.

Few quick pics...

Little Red passengers with a Priority Pass may like to know you can now use the Plaza Premium lounge in T2A as well as the United lounge in T2B.

Just arrived in the AerLingus lounge, and echo Jon's comments...

Couple of extra things:

- Check-in seem fine with arriving early. Due to a cancelled meeting, I am here 4 hours before my flight! No problem at check-in, to check in my bag. And I don't think it's a gold benefit, as I hadn't yet brought out my bp or card.

- Fast track security does indeed seem excellent. The fast track area is walled off from main security, and has 4 machines (only 1 open today, but no problem as no queue). And they're using the latest Siemens machine setup, which is far more 'customer flow' friendly than the prev generation of machine setup, seen in T5.
And there's more physical space around, generally.

- Aer Lingus lounge is very good. Perhaps one of the best things is that seem to be several staff walking around, clearing/cleaning/tidying.

I really hope VS don't cancel the Little Red service. It is working so well... I really don't want to be going back to the BA shuttles, which always seem a more stressful experience for some reason.

Have a good afternoon - great pics. I must say I was impressed with T2 and the fast-track and noticed in the lounge a good staff presence who made sure everything stayed clean, tidy and refreshed!

Like you I really hope LR keep flying as a return to BA for me isn't worth thinking about

Have a good flight to Manchester....

Jon

Edinburgh.

Edinburgh.

Oh yes!!!!

Thanks for the info & pics. Lounge looks good. Was wondering what it would be like as we have a 5 hour layover next month on our return from LAX on Vs8 before LR to Man. Does anybody know if Virgin still using ANZ at LAX?

Depends which flight. VS8 - yes. VS24 (which ceases at the end of Oct) - no, that uses the VX Loft in T3.

Depends which flight. VS8 - yes. VS24 (which ceases at the end of Oct) - no, that uses the VX Loft in T3.

I was on the 24 on Friday and was given a choice of the loft or a $15 voucher for use in the terminal.
I don't know which is better the loft with a bar or Burger King in the terminal??
I chose the bar in the loft. Not a clubhouse but better than T2

Thanks gumshoe was hoping ANZ as used thatlast time (6 yrs ago) and thoroughly enjoyed. Being a sad aircraft fan took loads of photos!!