Review | American Airlines International First Class Lounge London Heathrow T3

After spending several months enjoying the festive season in Malaysia, I returned to London in late February. Fortunately, this also meant more business trips across Europe.

On a recent trip to Helsinki via Finnair, which departs from London Heathrow Terminal 3 along with most other Oneworld airlines, I took the opportunity to explore some of the other Oneworld lounges at the terminal.

Frequent flyers transiting through London Heathrow Terminal 3 are no strangers to the abundance of lounge options available to Oneworld elites. I previously reviewed the excellent Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounge at Terminal 3, which is widely regarded as the best Oneworld lounge in the terminal, so be sure to check out that review.

However, due to its reputation for superior service and amenities, the Cathay Pacific Lounge can often get crowded. There have been reports on FlyerTalk of Oneworld passengers flying on other airlines (not Cathay Pacific) being denied entry during peak hours, as access is prioritized for those departing on Cathay Pacific flights.

As a result, Oneworld frequent flyers sometimes need to consider alternative lounges, one of which is the American Airlines International First Class Lounge.

Lounge Location

The American Airlines Admirals Club and International First Class Lounge are located in the H section of Terminal 3, past security.

The lounge is well-signposted, making it easy to find. If your flight departs from Gates 12-42, the lounge is conveniently located along the way to your gate.

Entry Requirements

American Airlines operates two lounges at London Heathrow Terminal 3:

• The Admirals Club, accessible to AAdvantage Platinum members and Oneworld Sapphire status holders

• The International First Class Lounge, reserved for AAdvantage Platinum Pro, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, and Oneworld Emerald status holders

  
  

For clarity, Malaysia Airlines Enrich Platinum members have access to the International First Class Lounge, while Enrich Gold members are eligible to use the Admirals Club.

Lounge Seating

The lounge itself is not particularly large; in fact, it feels somewhat compact, although it was not overly crowded during my visit. Interestingly, I found it to be slightly more spacious than the First Class section of the Cathay Pacific Lounge, but the interior design felt somewhat dated and uninspiring.

It was quite a pleasant sight to see an American Airlines plane parked right next to the lounge, with those seated having a complete view of the magnificent aircraft.

Food & Beverage

The lounge offers a self-serve buffet and an à la carte dining menu, though I did not have time to sample the latter as I was in a rush.

There was a generous selection of liquor, which will certainly appeal to those looking to enjoy a drink before their flight.

As someone who is not a heavy drinker, I cannot speak to the quality of the alcohol selection, but I will leave that to the experts to judge. There was also Moet champagne on offer. Seems expensive though? Hahaha.

One notable downside is the lack of barista-made coffee and a bartender for cocktails, a stark contrast to the Cathay Pacific Lounge, which is known for its outstanding bar service.

Final Thoughts

The American Airlines International First Class Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3 serves as a decent alternative when the Cathay Pacific Lounge is overcrowded or unavailable.

While the lounge offers a reasonable selection of food and drinks, it does not quite match the ambiance or premium feel of its Cathay Pacific counterpart.

The absence of barista-made coffee and signature cocktails is a notable drawback. However, if you are looking for a quieter space with ample seating and a solid selection of self-serve beverages, this lounge is still a worthwhile option.

Never a dull moment on Finnair. Stay tuned for more articles!