Lhr T3
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 38
From: Peterborough
Lhr T3
Went out through LHR on Qatar Airways flight to MLE via DOH a couple of weeks ago. Having read about the re-development of T3 in pprune, I decided to pay £31 for access to the servisair lounge for me and Mrs Uffers.
Seems like seating in T3 has been sacrificed in the name of 'merchantising opportunities' i.e. more shops!!
Went up to the lounge, turned out it's the new 'quiet seating area' ( the Servisair lounge had moved) it had about 6 people in it compared to about 6,000 downstairs. So top tip peeps, if you're going through T3, make your way upstairs to the 'quiet seating area' and save yourselves over £15 each. Bargain.
Seems like seating in T3 has been sacrificed in the name of 'merchantising opportunities' i.e. more shops!!
Went up to the lounge, turned out it's the new 'quiet seating area' ( the Servisair lounge had moved) it had about 6 people in it compared to about 6,000 downstairs. So top tip peeps, if you're going through T3, make your way upstairs to the 'quiet seating area' and save yourselves over £15 each. Bargain.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 38
From: Peterborough
When you go through the security into the depature lounge/shopping arcade, go to the right and head towards the transfer desks, you'll see a sign saying 'Quiet Seating Area' or something similar. Go past the toilets and then up the stairs.
Last edited by uffington sb; 5th December 2002 at 22:41.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,843
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
It was several years ago that I read the news that BAA plc had become the country's largest retailer and made more money from shopping than for providing roosts for aeroplanes.
At that point, I knew that we would never get the right treatment as their focus would always be in the wrong direction. They have also managed to infect the rest of the world with their ideas and most airports and railways stations are now subject to reduced width walkways, so that another row of boutiques and junk can be oferred at 'special' prices.
At Euston mainline station in London, one complete passenger walkway was closed and shops built on it. When the time comes for an emergency evacuation of the four surburban train platforms (Nos 8~11) I only hope that I am nowhere near the place.
At that point, I knew that we would never get the right treatment as their focus would always be in the wrong direction. They have also managed to infect the rest of the world with their ideas and most airports and railways stations are now subject to reduced width walkways, so that another row of boutiques and junk can be oferred at 'special' prices.
At Euston mainline station in London, one complete passenger walkway was closed and shops built on it. When the time comes for an emergency evacuation of the four surburban train platforms (Nos 8~11) I only hope that I am nowhere near the place.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 38
From: Peterborough
It wouldn't be so bad if the shops sold useful things, apart from the book/paper shop, I have no need for Scottish smoked salmon, expensive 'country' wear, Scotch, chocolates, designer luggage (hopefully it should be on the plane!) etc etc.
You'reright PAXboy, BAA do make more out of retailing than aircraft!
You'reright PAXboy, BAA do make more out of retailing than aircraft!
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,016
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From: London,Bucharest...wherever...
I commented on a previous thread on this exact situation some months back whilst the redevelopment was happening...it was a fiasco then with no seating etc. - as suspected BAA for go passenger comfort for yet more shops...
However worthwhile to know about the 'quiet seating area' if we have to travel thru' this sh!t hole of a terminal which has nothing good about it either on departure or arrival!
With a few exceptions every 6-12 months or so at both LGW and LHR the retail tenants seem to change (not referring to the big Duty Free outlets and Dixons, Sock Shop etc.)...is this a sign that the BAA rents are too high to support the outlets...unless the retailer is prepared to run as a prestigious loss leader...you only have to watch the lack of sales over a two hour period at these places selling £500 handbags etc.
However worthwhile to know about the 'quiet seating area' if we have to travel thru' this sh!t hole of a terminal which has nothing good about it either on departure or arrival!
With a few exceptions every 6-12 months or so at both LGW and LHR the retail tenants seem to change (not referring to the big Duty Free outlets and Dixons, Sock Shop etc.)...is this a sign that the BAA rents are too high to support the outlets...unless the retailer is prepared to run as a prestigious loss leader...you only have to watch the lack of sales over a two hour period at these places selling £500 handbags etc.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 286
Likes: 38
From: Peterborough
BR
Yes I read it. That's why I decided to pay £30 or so to be able to use the Servisair lounge. I only found the 'quiet seating area' because I had used the Servisair lounge about 3 years ago, and hadn't read the directions on my 'invitation' properly. The quiet area is where the old Servisair lounge was, the new being located on one of the piers.
What you don't get there obviously is the 'free' newspapers/nibbles or drinks (you can only drink so much anyway!).
Yes I read it. That's why I decided to pay £30 or so to be able to use the Servisair lounge. I only found the 'quiet seating area' because I had used the Servisair lounge about 3 years ago, and hadn't read the directions on my 'invitation' properly. The quiet area is where the old Servisair lounge was, the new being located on one of the piers.
What you don't get there obviously is the 'free' newspapers/nibbles or drinks (you can only drink so much anyway!).
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 501
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From: Cheshire, UK
And now the BAA are saying they can't afford the cost of T5 build ??? !!!
They've already twisted the arm of CAA wrt landing fees. How much more is this greedy organisation going to bleed a struggling industry to keep the shareholders happy ?
They've already twisted the arm of CAA wrt landing fees. How much more is this greedy organisation going to bleed a struggling industry to keep the shareholders happy ?
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 555
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From: Fantasy Island
Having recently travelled through T3 I have to say it's the biggest sh!t hole excuse for an airport terminal.........and I think that's being quite charitable.
What the hell were they thinking with the layout of check-in? security? shopping? On a Friday night it is a nightmare. Took me 30 mins to get through security.
T4 should be the model for terminals in the UK...........but even that's descending into chaos as more and more shops get crammed in!
What the hell were they thinking with the layout of check-in? security? shopping? On a Friday night it is a nightmare. Took me 30 mins to get through security.
T4 should be the model for terminals in the UK...........but even that's descending into chaos as more and more shops get crammed in!
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 233
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From: Falkirk,Stirlingshire,Scotland
Hi,
I think the only good things (two) about LHR T3 are the Virgin Atlantic Lounge and the Revivals Lounge
The newspaper shop( which is a about the only place airside )in T3 for water/soft drinks in small bottles to take onboard always has very large queues.
The walkway from security almost always takes you into... the duty free store.
On the other hand never had to wait too long to clear security.
Regards
TBS
I think the only good things (two) about LHR T3 are the Virgin Atlantic Lounge and the Revivals Lounge
The newspaper shop( which is a about the only place airside )in T3 for water/soft drinks in small bottles to take onboard always has very large queues.
The walkway from security almost always takes you into... the duty free store.
On the other hand never had to wait too long to clear security.
Regards
TBS
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,843
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Hi T_B_S,
Agree with you there! When I get back to the UK on 23rd, I plan to spend my max time in the Revivals Lounge. If the weather looks too bad, I'll hang around until the evening flight back to South Africa!
Temp today in Cape Town was 40 C
but the weather changing a bit now. Please don't ask about the cricket - as my friends were glued to the set all day yesterday and I had to retreat from the room! 
What is all the fuss about? (OK, move it to JetBlast!)
Agree with you there! When I get back to the UK on 23rd, I plan to spend my max time in the Revivals Lounge. If the weather looks too bad, I'll hang around until the evening flight back to South Africa!
Temp today in Cape Town was 40 C
but the weather changing a bit now. Please don't ask about the cricket - as my friends were glued to the set all day yesterday and I had to retreat from the room! What is all the fuss about? (OK, move it to JetBlast!)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Paros, Greece
I just had the dubious good fortune of using three different terminals at Heathrow in the space of a few hours (arrival at 3, over to 4 for the arrivals lounge, and departure from 1).
I have to say that apart from the obvious exceptions, such as private lounges, the entire airport is without exception a complete disgrace. It makes me cringe to think of the first impression of the UK given to arriving visitors from around the world.
My general plan is to check-in either on-line or at Paddington, spend any time I have at LHR on the spectators terrace (even in the rain if necessary!) and only enter the terminals at the last possible minute.
Perhaps the demolition workers currently at Wembly should turn their hands to Heathrow when they've finished up there.
Will T5 be any better? Not holding my breath.
I have to say that apart from the obvious exceptions, such as private lounges, the entire airport is without exception a complete disgrace. It makes me cringe to think of the first impression of the UK given to arriving visitors from around the world.
My general plan is to check-in either on-line or at Paddington, spend any time I have at LHR on the spectators terrace (even in the rain if necessary!) and only enter the terminals at the last possible minute.
Perhaps the demolition workers currently at Wembly should turn their hands to Heathrow when they've finished up there.
Will T5 be any better? Not holding my breath.
