I am literally sitting in this amazing lounge as I write this and I must show it off. Welcome to the Cathay Pacific Lounge. A place that serves ala carte Chinese delights such as soups, Dim Sum and Noodles while offering spa like bathrooms and showers and beautifully crafted cocktails. I could spend all day here!

Ironically when I arrived at Heathrow my heart sunk. There was a sign over the American Admirals Lounge saying it was still closed due to the pandemic. Nothing makes this gay heart weep more than the idea of sitting in the terminal with the commoners while waiting for my flight! How would I survive without the typical overcrowded, mediocre food and terrible wine of the American Airlines Admiral’s Lounge (United is no better!) Cathay saved the day!

What is Cathay Pacific and Why/How Am I In Their Lounge

Cathay Pacific is a Hong Kong based airline with the reputation that rivals Singapore Airlines regarding airplane service. Cathay is part of the OneWorld Alliance. There are many blogs/articles on the google that can explain the airline alliance system more thoroughly, but real quick, airlines partner with one another to provide easier connections around the world while providing consistent(ish) benefits to elite flyers. The idea is if I have status on American Airlines and I want to fly to Bangkok, I can fly AA to Hong Kong and use Cathay for the rest of the journey on the same ticket while receiving the same benefits. Because the AA lounge in London is closed, Cathay allows those with AA status in. Lucky me as this is dramatically better than the typical Admirals. Lounge.

What Makes this Place So Special

Made to order Dim Sum! That’s what!

Seriously few standard Airline lounges offer restaurant quality food. Noodle dishes, soups, dumplings, oh my!

This lounge is also quite spacious with excellent food, and a fully stocked bar (and completely open!) Most lounges charge for the good drinks, but not Cathay. I wasn’t drinking today due to being hung over trying to keep up with a bunch of British friends…..but good to know for next time and nothing beats a hangover better than Chinese soup!

You all know how I feel about airport lounges (450 dollars a year for all you can eat, drink and shower at the airport? Introduction to the Airport Lounge – Out And Abroad (out-abroad.com)). Most are fine and check the boxes, but Cathay Pacific Heathrow is by far my favorite. Some of you know that airlines also have international first class lounges such as the United Polaris and American Flagship. I can tell you that the ‘standard’ Cathay lounge blows Polaris and Flagship out of the water.

Wait, free made to order food, open bar…how much? Nothing, thanks to my AA status :). Did you know you could literally buy AA status Introducing AAdvantage Loyalty Points (exploreamerican.com) ? Probably cheaper than a mediocre glass of wine in the main terminal!

What is your favorite lounge?

Bon voyage,

Andrew