I’ve been wanting to get a look inside the new Terminal 2 – The Queen’s Terminal – which is due to open on June 4, 2014 at London’s Heathrow Airport. So I was pleased to be invited by United Airlines to come by for a preview of their two Terminal 2 Lounges.
25 airlines – all the Star Alliance carriers, as well as Aer Lingus, Germanwings and Virgin Atlantic Little Red – will operate out of Terminal 2, which has a main building and a satellite terminal (Terminal 2B).
But to try to make sure the move-in goes smoother than the notoriously glitchy opening of Heathrow Terminal 5, there will be a phased move-in of carriers, with United as the kick-off tenant on June 4th.
On move-in day United will move its 17 daily flights from Terminals 1 and 4 over to Terminal 2 and will have two lounges available for premium customers: A United Global First Lounge for first class passengers and the United Club for those with United Club memberships and those traveling on business class tickets.
Here are some of the photos I snapped during the preview tour:
United Global First Lounge
Egg chairs, couches and vintage photos from the airline’s archives create comfortable work and chat spaces throughout the lounge.
A Big Ben-inspired clock in the tea lounge section is one of the “you’re in London” touches.
This lounge also has a quiet zone with couches and privacy drapes (no snoring, please), private phone booths and a wine room where a la carte meals can be served.
The United Club
Next door, the United Club also offers floor-to-ceiling windows and complimentary food and beverages.
There’s seating here for up to 280 guests, private phone booths and eight shower suites that include a handy valet service that will freshen up and press your outfit while you wash up.
The United Club at Heathrow Terminal 2
A nice feature of the tables in this work area are the pop-up power ports in the tables.
Of course, these lounges aren’t the only cool things in Heathrow’s Terminal 2. Stay tuned for a few more posts and more photos of the shops, restaurants, art and amenities – and notes on some features that are missing.