This is our review of the British Airways Terraces Lounge at Newcastle Airport.
We are currently trying to complete our collection of UK airport lounge reviews (the full collection so far is here) with the help of readers. Yesterday Jason reviewed the Aspire and Aspire Plus lounge at Newcastle Airport. Today he takes a look at the British Airways business class lounge.
“The British Airways business class lounge in Newcastle Airport is physically located next door to the Aspire Lounge but the route to get to it is beyond a “no return” door towards gates 1-3, most commonly used by BA.
The British Airways lounge in Newcastle is larger than the Aspire lounge, square in shape and well lit from both tungsten and the sun. That may be a more efficient use of space, packing in more seats per square inch, but I felt it would be easier to have a private conversation and “me time” in the Aspire lounges.
The wide-open layout means that you can see the whole area from anywhere. It is easy to find an empty seat but everywhere feels a bit exposed.
There is a small workspace area with three computers.
The bar was very well stocked.
There were biscuits, crisps, fruits and pastries.
It was breakfast time when I visited the lounge and the refreshments were well stocked with self-serve porridge and many toppings.
The magazine selection was a bit underwhelming.
I visited the British Airways Terraces Lounge immediately after the Aspire Lounge and by comparison it was not busy at all, even though I was due on a BA flight myself.
There was only one TV, which is not unusual in a BA lounge of this size, but it still managed to be imposing in this space, maybe exacerbated because the lounge was empty and therefore quiet.
If you want a bright and airy lounge, although not a very intimate one, the British Airways Terraces will suit you. The Aspire lounge is darker, busier but is more attractive and has a warmer feel. If you have access to both, why not give both a try?”
(Want to earn more Avios? Click here to visit our home page for the latest articles on earning and spending your Avios points and click here to see how to earn more Avios from current offers and promotions.)
About Head for Points
It is a very nice lounge and generally will be open even for the earliest flight. However, the bar can be under severe pressure on a Sunday afternoon 😉
As someone who lives in NCL, I’ve always joked that the BA Terraces bar is nothing short of what you should expect in Newcastle. Hospitable and lots of booze. It’s probably one of the best bar selections I’ve seen at an airport lounge.
The Aspire Lounge is badly named. I personally don’t aspire to neck bottles of Kronenburg at 5am on a weekday, but the holidaymakers who mostly inhabit the place evidently do. ‘Aspire Plus’ you might have thought was a masterstroke, ie ‘Aspire without the public’, yet I have barely ever seen anyone in there.
The whole package at NCL when travelling with BA either in Club Europe (as of today) or with status is great. Fast track and straight to a well stocked lounge seconds from the boarding gate, although the lack of SSCI kiosks for BA is a bit odd. The ladies there are always friendly and helpful, though the furniture is cast offs from the rest of the network (there are still some T4 CCR chairs in there somewhere!).