United Club

United Club – London Heathrow (LHR)

The United Club at London Heathrow airport is widely acclaimed as United’s best lounge, and a stark departure from the typical United lounge.

With Star Alliance’s move under one roof at London Heathrow Terminal 2, “The Queen’s Terminal”, United has embraced the opportunity to compete head-to-head with the dominant carriers and to offer true premium services. As such, the United Club at London Heathrow is like no other in the network, with high end amenities, hot food, a broad drink selection, and spa inspired shower suites.

United Club LHR design

The United Club is located in Terminal 2B, approximately 15 minutes from the checkin area, close to the departure gates. The lounge features United’s latest design language also featured in Chicago and San Diego amongst other locations, which favors open spaces, shades of white, designer light fixtures, comfortable furniture throughout with power outlets at every seat, and vintage pictures of United aircraft.

But the traditional décor, which tends to be a bit bland, has been spruced in London with several unique touches such as tree sculptures which shape the space and augment privacy, couches, golden hues, and elegant curves.

United Club – London Heathrow (LHR)

The main seating area, an oversized rectangular room – United runs the largest lounge amongst Star Alliance carriers at London Heathrow – boasts a floor to ceiling window which runs along the entire length of the room. The space feels modern, bright, airy, and while the lounge is often busy, the many partitions and screens break up the space and carve out more private areas.

A variety of seating options easily accommodates all needs, with comfortable individual chairs, couches, dining tables, as well as table top and counter style seating. Power outlets (of the UK type) and USB plugs are available at every seat.

In the back is a reading room: a cozy, semi-enclosed area with a friendly circular shape, where patrons will find a quieter environment and a selection of newspapers and magazines.

United Club LHR amenities

United Club – London Heathrow (LHR)

The food and beverage offer is a highlight, and has no equivalent at any other United Club worldwide. While the caterer’s name (Sodexho) may not evoke gourmet dining, United has enlisted the help of a full-time chef and offers a complete meal selection which is refreshed throughout the day. All food and drinks are complimentary. Lighter appetites and health conscious patrons will enjoy the salad bar, the sweeter teeth will note the excellent dessert selection including delicious fruit tart, while all will enjoy the variety of hot entrees.

But it’s the small touches that truly impress: the expansive array of salad sauces and accompaniments, the variety of breads, or the selection of healthy natural juices. There’s even no less than five syrups and multiple types of sugar for the perfect latte. Overall, United’s catering is in our opinion superior to their main competitor’s, British Airways, at the Galleries Club lounges in Terminal 5.

United Club – London Heathrow (LHR)

The selection of alcoholic beverages doesn’t disappoint either. The bar, which stands out as a focal point of the design with a view of the tarmac as the backdrop, features a an expansive and mouth watering cocktail list, as well as an upscale selection of wines and Champagne. There’s also a full bar, and the bartenders are creative, so feel free to let them demonstrate their skills and surprise you.

For the ultimate in privacy, the club features several large, modern and fully enclosed work spaces, which are ideal for ad-hoc meetings or simply for privacy or phone calls.

United Club – London Heathrow (LHR)

United has also placed a notable emphasis on bathroom facilities. In lieu of a traditional shared bathroom, the club features individual stalls with a posh bench, plenty of space to change, and a sink to freshen up. While sumptuous, the design is not the most practical, though – with only six stalls for gents, lines aren’t uncommon.

The shower facilities, however, are flawless. The seven spa-inspired elegant shower suites come with a sink, a toilet, a rain shower, and a selection of bath products. Amenities such as slippers and toothbrushes are available. The facilities are serviced between each use and are by far United’s best worldwide, even topping their nearby Arrivals Lounge.

United Club – London Heathrow (LHR)

United Club LHR bottom line

Overall, the United Club at London Heathrow Terminal 2 (“The Queen’s Terminal’) is United’s best business class lounge worldwide and a superior club even by international standards, well worth a visit. The only notable downside is that despite its size, the United Club is often busy and occasionally noisy — perhaps a victim of its own success.

If anyone doubted that United can actually run a world class lounge, the United Club and adjacent Global Services Lounge are the irrefutable proof that the carrier doesn’t lack the skills. It all comes down to competition – and there’s plenty of that in London.