British Airways will build a lounge at Heathrow's T5 C gates and rebuild its Arrivals lounge

British Airways has finally put details behind the Heathrow lounge overhaul it has been promising since last year. In its announcement on October 5, 2026, the airline called this the first phase of a program to redesign every lounge it runs at the airport over the next few years.

There are three projects in this first phase. Here is what each one means for you and when it arrives.

A lounge at the C gates, due in 2028

The biggest project is a brand-new lounge at Terminal 5's C gates. This is the satellite building where many of BA's long-haul flights board. Today, all of BA's T5 lounges are in the main building or at the B gates. If your flight leaves from C, you have to leave the lounge early and take the train across.

BA says construction has already started. The lounge should open at the end of 2028. According to the airline, it will have:

• Views over the airfield and the terminal
• Showers
• Separate areas for dining, working and resting
• A 17-meter (56-foot) bar, which BA expects to be one of the longest in any airport lounge
• Materials and furniture made across the UK

Inside, a separate Concorde section will serve First passengers. It will have concierge service, its own dining and more privacy.

BA says the lounge will be open to business class passengers and to Silver members of The British Airways Club and above. First passengers can use the Concorde area. The release does not mention oneworld Sapphire or Emerald members from partner airlines. They can use BA's current Galleries Club lounges, so we'll wait for BA to confirm whether that carries over.

A new Arrivals lounge by the end of 2027

The T5 Arrivals lounge is where long-haul passengers shower and eat breakfast after an overnight flight. It is getting a complete rebuild. BA says work starts in early 2027, and the new lounge should open by the end of that year.

The plans include a coffee bar and deli, bigger dining areas, quiet zones and work booths. There will be 59 shower rooms, plus a set of larger premium shower suites. Club World passengers will be able to use it. First passengers get a separate Concorde Arrivals area with private cabanas.

BA has not said whether the current Arrivals lounge will stay open during the work. It also has not said where arriving passengers will go if it closes.

First check-in at Terminal 3

Over in Terminal 3, BA and American Airlines are opening a shared First check-in area this winter. It is for First passengers, British Airways Club Gold members and above, and the matching American Airlines elite members.

That should make a better start to the trip for T3 flyers. Once you pass security, though, the lounges are the same as before. The Galleries First and Galleries Club in T3 are among BA's lowest-rated lounges on Lounge Frog.

Outside Heathrow

BA says lounge work is underway in Boston and Newark, which we covered in July. Geneva and San Francisco are next, in 2027. BA's newest lounges, like the one in Miami, show the design style BA says Heathrow will follow.

What this means for you today

For now, nothing changes at Heathrow. The Concorde Room, Galleries First and the three Galleries Club lounges in T5 are all open as usual. If your flight boards at the C gates before 2028, check the airport screens for how long the walk and train ride will take, and give yourself time. See every lounge at London Heathrow, or check ratings on our British Airways page.