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Now official, with pictures – ‘The First Wing’ comes to Terminal 5 in April

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Some good news from British Airways for a change.  Yesterday, the company officially announced the new First Class, Gold Executive Club and oneworld Emerald access route at Heathrow Terminal 5.

Click to enlarge the images.

The First Wing Heathrow Terminal 5 British Airways

‘The First Wing’ is being built in the area behind the current First Class check in area.  It will create a dedicated walkway from check-in to the lounges.

The First Wing Heathrow Terminal 5 British Airways

This will include a larger private check-in area and two dedicated security lanes.

Once you have passed through security, you will have immediate access to the Galleries First lounge or The Concorde Room without having to weave your way past Harrods, down the escalators, past all the shops and back up the escalators …..

The First Wing Heathrow Terminal 5 British Airways

It isn’t entirely clear what will change to make way for this.  There was talk of the Galleries First business centre and champagne bar disappearing but that is definitely not certain.

The First Wing is due to open in April 2017.


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Comments (50)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • flyforfun says:

    It’s almost worth attaining Gold just to avoid walking past all the shops.

    Left LHR via T3 last week. I don’t think the staff like me when I tell everyone to follow me through a short cut via the booze and perfumes that gets me out within less than 60 seconds, instead of following their forced traffic flow route via all the over priced junk they sell there.

    • Callum says:

      I don’t think the staff remotely care. And I hope by “everyone” you just mean the people you’re travelling with – a stranger beckoning people to follow them into the store would be a bit creepy!

    • Andrew says:

      Now, if you could find me a route to avoid the tat at Edinburgh, I’d be very impressed.

  • Hingeless says:

    Great news, now if only they could do up the lounges and improved the food.

  • mark2 says:

    I am flying out of T5 in First on 1 June 17 so it will definitely be delayed!

  • Chris jones says:

    Raffles I’ve seen other drawing that show a single shop in the wing section. A M&S shop for you first class Bring on Board!

  • Yuff says:

    Whilst I’m sure it will be nice it wasn’t much of a hardship turning right after security.
    We have a flight in April so it would be nice if it was finished on time, which would be a First 😉

    • Tom says:

      Yes – likewise! Hoping for completion ahead of the Easter hols so I can give it a spin with the family (in First using 2x 241s 🙂

    • Genghis says:

      +1. We travel just before Easter so would be nice.

  • Paul says:

    Typical BA. Cover up the bad news from Sunday with a speculative story offering jam tomorrow…….but it will be M&S jam…….

    What next a new seat in Club……in 2025?

  • andset1191 says:

    I don’t think anyone official has ever mentioned the champagne bar and business centre in Galleries First being the entrance point.

    Instead it would be at the Gold Bar, which is the far right side of the lounge as you walk in (where there’s a TV on the wall and a corridor coming out of).

    • Alan says:

      That would be OK – it would be a shame to lose the business centre and champagne bar as they tend to be the quietest parts of the lounge and handy if busy elsewhere!

  • Dave R says:

    Some good BA news for once. Hope it’s finished on time as I’m off to BOS in F next April.

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