Money Talk
SUE’S GUIDE TO Making The Most Of The Airport Lounge
Forget fighting your way through the airport for a cup of coffee or struggling to find a seat. For just over £30 you can go through the doors of an exclusive airport lounge and enjoy a taste of luxury before take off.
I love flying and once I’m through security, that’s when my holiday starts! So I checked out the No1 Lounge at Heathrow ahead of my trip to New York.
All airports have different lounges and, having been in a few, some are definitely better than others. You can find No1 at Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham. At Heathrow it’s £34 if you book online or £40 on the day which buys you three hours in the lounge.
Once in, all the facilities plus food and drink are free – in fact the only thing you’ll pay for is champagne (if you want it), so I opted for sparkling wine in my Bucks Fizz. There’s a cinema, showers, wi-fi, magazines, and unlimited food and drink.
And because numbers are restricted, it’s all ver y relaxed with lots of space – plus a great view over the runway.
Food options include a cold buffet, or you can order hot food from the bar. As it was breakfast time, we went for a tasty fish finger wrap which was brought to our seat, but I spotted bacon rolls and poached eggs on the menu too.
Is it worth it? I know £34 sounds a lot but when you compare it with the cost of a meal plus a couple of drinks at an airport restaurant, I reckon it’s worth it for a treat, a taste of luxury – and some relaxing space!
SUE’S TIPS:
◆ Book in advance to save money and guarantee your spot. ◆ Check the dress code as you can’t go in with flip flops or beach wear. ◆ Airports may have different lounges so check what you get for your money. ◆ Check rules on flight delays as you may need to pay to stay if your flight’s delayed.