British Airways Galleries First
London Heathrow · London
Guide by Lounge Frog
Details checked
Inside the terminal
Inside Terminal 5
British Airways Galleries First isn't marked on Mapbox's floor plan yet; near gate A18. The other lounges in the terminal are pinned.
- Near gate
- A18
- Terminal
- Terminal 5
- Directions
- How to find it ↓
- Club Aspire Lounge (T5)Level 1
At a glance
One of eight lounges in Terminal 5, ranking 4th among them. A premium lounge with room to get work done in peace, food and drink worth arriving early for, and showers worth building a layover around. It seats around 300, runs a full bar, and has eight shower suites to freshen up in. Hours are 5 AM – 10:30 PM daily. It opened in 2008. A lounge you'd be glad to have time in. Recorded access options include Galleries Lounge (Eligible First passengers or British Airways Gold/oneworld Emerald members on qualifying same-day flights. Sapphire or BA Silver alone does not qualify for Galleries First.) and oneworld Sapphire/Emerald Lounge Access (oneworld Emerald only. Emerald members on a same-day flight marketed and operated by oneworld; Sapphire alone does not qualify. Eligible First passengers have a separate cabin-based entitlement. One guest must also travel on a qualifying oneworld flight.). Entry conditions and availability apply.
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<script async src="https://www.loungefrog.com/embed.js"></script>Who gets in
Check the program, card, flight and guest conditions before relying on entry.
- Galleries Lounge · British AirwaysEligible First passengers or British Airways Gold/oneworld Emerald members on qualifying same-day flights. Sapphire or BA Silver alone does not qualify for Galleries First.
- oneworld Sapphire/Emerald Lounge Access · oneworldoneworld Emerald only. Emerald members on a same-day flight marketed and operated by oneworld; Sapphire alone does not qualify. Eligible First passengers have a separate cabin-based entitlement. One guest must also travel on a qualifying oneworld flight.
Entry and guest policy
British Airways First passengers, British Airways Club Gold and oneworld Emerald members: 1 guest.
Location & opening hours
London Heathrow · Terminal 5 · Near gate A18
In the main T5A building, south end, on the lounge level above the departures concourse near gate A18; take the escalator or lift up from the South security area, or walk straight in from the First Wing.
- Opening hours
- 5 AM – 10:30 PM daily
- Local time · Europe/London
- Lounge history
Opened 2008
Editorial ratings
14 of 15 metrics scored. The score is the average of the rated metrics; unrated areas are not included.
What a 5 means for each metric
- Seating & comfort
- plenty of comfortable seats, easy to find one
- Quiet
- calm enough to work, read, or nap
- Space
- never feels packed, even at peak
- Food
- real meals, fresh and varied
- Drinks & bar
- good pours, real selection, no nickel-and-diming
- Coffee
- barista-made, not a push-button machine
- Wi-Fi
- fast and reliable for video calls
- Power outlets
- an outlet at every seat
- Workspace
- desks, quiet rooms, phone booths
- Showers
- clean, available without a long wait
- Restrooms
- clean, plentiful, well kept
- Cleanliness
- tables bussed fast, nothing sticky
- Staff & service
- attentive, friendly, quick
- Views & light
- tarmac views, natural light
Not yet rated: Exclusivity. How we rate
Photos3
Quick answers
Who can get into British Airways Galleries First?
British Airways Galleries First lists access through Galleries Lounge (Eligible First passengers or British Airways Gold/oneworld Emerald members on qualifying same-day flights. Sapphire or BA Silver alone does not qualify for Galleries First.) and oneworld Sapphire/Emerald Lounge Access (oneworld Emerald only. Emerald members on a same-day flight marketed and operated by oneworld; Sapphire alone does not qualify. Eligible First passengers have a separate cabin-based entitlement. One guest must also travel on a qualifying oneworld flight.). Entry depends on the program's eligibility rules and lounge availability. British Airways First passengers, British Airways Club Gold and oneworld Emerald members: 1 guest. Lounge Frog last checked this in September 2026.
What are the opening hours of British Airways Galleries First?
British Airways Galleries First is open 5 AM – 10:30 PM daily (local time, Europe/London). Lounge Frog last checked this in September 2026.
Where is British Airways Galleries First?
British Airways Galleries First is in Terminal 5 at London Heathrow (LHR), near gate A18. In the main T5A building, south end, on the lounge level above the departures concourse near gate A18; take the escalator or lift up from the South security area, or walk straight in from the First Wing.
Does British Airways Galleries First have showers and a bar?
British Airways Galleries First has 8 shower suites, a full bar and seating for about 300.
How good is British Airways Galleries First?
Lounge Frog rates British Airways Galleries First 4.6 out of 5 overall, the average of 14 editorial metrics such as food, drinks, seating and quiet.
Compare British Airways Galleries First
Other lounges in Terminal 5
7 more at LHR. Entry eligibility varies by lounge.
- Plaza Premium Lounge (T5)independent4.914 scored metrics
- British Airways Galleries Club B Gatessatellite club4.814 scored metrics
- British Airways Galleries Club Northhub club4.714 scored metrics
- British Airways Concorde Roomfirst class flagship4.614 scored metrics
- British Airways Galleries Club Southhub flagship4.614 scored metrics
- Club Aspire Lounge (T5)independent4.013 scored metrics
- British Airways Arrivals Loungearrivals lounge3.415 scored metrics
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
From the news desk
Coverage
Lounge Frog guides, independent reporting, and primary sources for this lounge.
RoundupBritish Airways will finally build a Terminal 5C lounge at Heathrow, but not until late 2028
BA's new plan covers a first-ever lounge in the T5C satellite, a 2027 rebuild of the T5 Arrivals Lounge and a joint First check-in with American at T3. Most of it is years away.
RankingThe 12 best British Airways lounges, ranked: 2026
RankingThe world's best first class lounges, ranked: 2026
- Head for Points
British Airways completes renovation of the First Wing at Terminal 5
Head for Points ·
- LoyaltyLobby
British Airways Opens New First Wing Lobby At London Heathrow Terminal 5
LoyaltyLobby ·
- One Mile at a Time
British Airways Plans Massive London Heathrow Lounge Changes In 2026
One Mile at a Time ·
- Beautiful World Beautiful Life
REVIEW: British Airways Galleries First Lounge – London/LHR Terminal 5 (How loyalty pays off at the airport)
Beautiful World Beautiful Life ·
- Upgraded Points
British Airways Galleries First Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 Gets a Fresh Look
Upgraded Points ·
- Head for Points
Review: the British Airways Galleries First lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5
Head for Points ·
- oneworld
oneworld lounge access: Emerald and Sapphire eligibility and guest rules
oneworld
- Luxury Travel Diary
Review: British Airways Galleries First Lounge Terminal 5
Luxury Travel Diary
- Live and Let's Fly
Review: British Airways Galleries First Lounge (LHR - T5 South)
Live and Let's Fly
- One Mile at a Time
Review: British Airways Galleries First Lounge London Heathrow (LHR)
One Mile at a Time
- Point Hacks
Review: British Airways Galleries First Lounge, London Heathrow T5 South
Point Hacks
