NEWS & OFFERS: BA First Wing security closing, £100 off Qatar and No 1 Lounge opens at Luton & Clubrooms Gatwick

British Airways First Wing security closing for 3 months

If you are flying in First Class or have BA Gold then you can use the First Wing at Heathrow. This area contains check-in desks and two security lines which then lead directly into the Galleries First lounge.

According to a reliable source on Twitter @MZulqarnain , The First Wing security will be closing from January (date unknown) for up to 3 months while they install new security scanners. This seems a long period of time to simply remove a scanner and replace it with another one. Although apparently they will be refurbishing the area as well.

The UK government has given all major UK airports a directive to have the new scanners by June 2024. These scanners will mean that you no longer have to take anything out of your bag and will be allowed to take larger size liquids through. Heathrow has been very slow to get the new scanners compared to other European airports that have had them for a considerable amount of time.

Apparently, the check-in area will remain open, and there will be a dedicated line for The First Wing at South Security. Hopefully, this won’t lead to longer security processing times. Unless you will be going into the Concorde Room it will involve a bit of a trek after security as you will have to walk half way along the upper level to get the lift/escalator down to the entrance and then go back up again. 

BA also recently moved and enlarged the Club check in to the North security end so that is another option to consider. 

£100 off Qatar Holidays

Qatar Airways Holidays works in a simailr way to British Airways but offers status Q points on the total amount of your purchase as well as Avios. You can book Qatar Holidays using a combnation of Avios and cash as well. 

The latest offer is for £100 per person off a Qatar Airways Holiday. Use promo code QRH100 at check-out to get the saving. 

You must book by 31 December and travel by 30 June 2024.

You can find the offer page here. 

No 1 Lounge opens at Luton and Clubrooms reopen at Gatwick South

The Clubrooms at Gatwick South Terminal is officially reopened its doors on 11th December. Previously it was used for Air India passengers and only open limited times. I visisted on a press trip a few weeks ago and it was still as good as before. You get table service, free drinks and food including prosecco and cokctails. It is more expensive than the standard lounge but I think worth the extra. You will need to pay a supplement of £15 if you use a lounge pass like Priority Pass. Personally I think it is worth it and at Gatwick I would generally always pre-book with Priority Pass. 

Clubrooms is an adult only space and guests must be aged 12+ to be admitted access.

You can book here and find more information on the menu and what to expect.

You can see more about the Clubrooms in my Instagram Reel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Turning Left for Less (@turningleftforless)

A new  No 1 Lounge has also opened at Luton Airport and will be open from 4:30am to 08:30pm daily. It is quite small and with the Aspire Lounge closing at the same time, it could be quite crowded. 

This lounge offers  hot and cold food dishes, snacks, and sweet options which are all served buffet style throughout the day. You can see what’s on the menu here.

There is also a variety of complimentary drinks such as premium beers, wines, sparkling wines, and spirits from the bar bar. 

You can find the Luton No 1 Lounge website here for more information and to book. I would definitely consider pre-booking with Priority Pass until the old Aspire Lounge reopens.