I’m excited to kick off a new series of blog posts, starting with a detailed review of the Cathay Pacific Lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3.
This visit was part of my recent journey from London to Japan for the Christmas holiday season, so stay tuned for more articles as I share my travel experiences!
If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of Cathay Pacific lounges. Renowned for their exceptional quality, Cathay Pacific consistently delivers some of the best airport lounge experiences worldwide.
Many top bloggers and journalists frequently rate these lounges among the best, and for good reason. In fact, in my recent review of The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong, I described it as arguably the best lounge I’ve ever visited—outshining even Singapore Airlines’ First Class lounges at Changi Airport!
Without further ado, let’s dive into this review!
Lounge Location
Cathay Pacific, like most Oneworld carriers, operates out of Terminal 3 at London Heathrow. Travelers in this terminal have access to several excellent Oneworld lounges, including the Qantas London Lounge, which I’ll also be reviewing soon.
The Cathay Pacific lounges can be found specifically at Lounge C (lounge areas are designated by letters at Heathrow).
However, it’s worth noting that if you’re flying Malaysia Airlines or Qatar Airways, your departure will be from Heathrow Terminal 4 instead—something to keep in mind when planning your lounge visits.
Entry Requirements
The Cathay Pacific lounge is divided into two sections:
The Business Lounge (For Oneworld Sapphire)
The First Class Lounge (For Oneworld Emerald)
Access to the First Class Lounge is available to oneworld Emerald members, which includes Enrich Platinum status holders with Malaysia Airlines. Of course, you can also the Business lounge located next door if you choose to do so.
Enrich Platinum members and oneworld Emerald status holders are permitted to bring one guest into the lounge. However, Cathay Diamond members enjoy the perk of bringing up to two guests—particularly useful for families traveling with one child.
It's worth noting that lounge access is ultimately subject to the capacity of the lounge itself. There have been several cases of Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald frequent flyers being turned away during peak times, such as just before a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong departs, so plan your timing well if you do wish to check out the lounge to avoid any potential disappointment.
First Class Lounge
For this review, I’ll take a slightly different approach. Instead of dividing it into the usual subsections like dining and amenities, I’ll start by reviewing the First Class Lounge, followed by the Business Lounge.
The First Class section of the lounge is notably smaller than the Business section, occupying roughly one-third of the total space. This limited area often results in the lounge becoming quite crowded.
Despite this, many Oneworld frequent flyers regard the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge as the best Oneworld Emerald lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3—and you’ll see why once my reviews of the Qantas London Lounge and the American Airlines Lounge are published.
The lounge offers fantastic views of the tarmac, so if you can, grab one of the window seats for some plane-spotting while you relax.
While several self-pour alcoholic drinks are available here, the full bar experience is actually located in the Business Lounge.
This arrangement makes sense, given the limited space in the First Class Lounge. Personally, I had no issues strolling over to the Business Lounge to grab a Whiskey Sour and bringing it back with me.
It’s also refreshing to see the lively buzz on the other side, and the contrast really highlights just how serene the First Class Lounge feels.
Light bites like pastries and cakes are available in the First Lounge, but for a more substantial meal, I’d recommend heading to the dining area within the lounge. Be warned—it can get extremely crowded due to the limited seating.
During my visit, I even had to join a waiting list just to enjoy a proper meal there. Once seated, you’ll find a familiar selection of Cathay Pacific’s signature dishes, alongside seasonal menu items.
Portions are modest, which allows you to sample multiple dishes if you wish.
It’s also worth noting that the First and Business Lounges typically offer different menu items. So, if you’re feeling adventurous (or extra hungry), you could have a meal in the First Lounge and then head over to the Business Lounge to see what’s on offer there!
Business Class Lounge
Without further ado, let’s dive into the Business Class Lounge!
The Business section of the Cathay Pacific lounge is designed in an L-shape. The entrance area is home to the dining section, while the majority of the lounge seating is located toward the back. At the center of the lounge, you’ll find a fully staffed bar, serving as a focal point for travelers seeking a refreshing drink.
The dining area features Cathay Pacific’s signature canteen-style seating, complete with the iconic Noodle Bar.
Here, you can order freshly prepared menu items and receive a beeper to collect your food once it’s ready—a system similar to those in Cathay Pacific lounges in Bangkok and Singapore.
For a quicker option, there’s also a small buffet area offering light bites while you wait for your noodle order.
Although there’s plenty of seating available, the dining area was jam-packed during my visit, making it challenging to capture close-up pictures of the setup.
Moving on to the bar, it’s typically managed by a single bartender. However, I noticed that additional staff stepped in during busy periods to handle the influx of travelers waiting for their drinks.
The bar offers an extensive selection of beverages, including classic cocktails. Even off-menu items, like the Whiskey Sour I enjoyed, can be requested. The staff were accommodating and made sure every guest was attended to promptly.
Lastly, the back area of the lounge consists of several seating zones. Rather than describing it further, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves!
Shower Suites
Moving on to the shower facilities, both the First Class and Business Class lounges share the same washrooms and shower amenities.
As a result, you can expect a significant wait time, especially given the high number of travelers utilizing the Business Lounge. Plan accordingly if you’re hoping to freshen up before your flight!
Final Thoughts
The Cathay Pacific Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 3 is a solid choice, and should be your first pick if you have less time before your flight departs.
While the First Class Lounge offers a more tranquil and exclusive experience, its smaller size and limited seating can lead to overcrowding during peak times. The dining options are impressive, and the serene ambiance makes it a great spot to unwind before your flight.
On the other hand, the Business Class Lounge caters to a larger crowd with its vibrant atmosphere and iconic features like the Noodle Bar and a fully staffed bar. While it can get quite busy, the extensive seating and additional dining choices provide flexibility and convenience for all travelers.
Both lounges share the same shower facilities, which is worth noting if a pre-flight refresh is on your agenda—plan ahead to avoid long wait times.
Overall, Cathay Pacific’s lounges in Heathrow showcase the brand’s renowned hospitality and attention to detail. I do think it's way more packed than the Qantas London Lounge on the day of my visit, but that's also because it's generally well known that Cathay Pacific has great lounges at Heathrow!
