Review: the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4

This is my review of the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 4.

If you have been following along you know that Rob and I visited Doha two weeks ago to visit Qatar Airways management and try out the (genuinely gamechanging) new Starlink wifi service.

As it has been six years since we last reviewed the Premium Lounge at Heathrow T4 we thought it was high time for an update. We arrived a little earlier than usual to check it out.

Just like the Al Mourjan lounges in Doha, the Qatar Airways Premium lounge at Heathrow operates at a level closer to First Class than business class thanks to a la carte dining and table service. It’s a classy operation.

Where is the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Heathrow?

The lounges at Heathrow are well sign-posted. You want to turn left when leaving security and head towards the single-digit gates.

Qatar Airways now has two lounges in Terminal 4.

Both the Premium Lounge and Frequent Flyer lounge share the same entrance, which is by Gate 1. There is only one check in desk, with the staff directing you either to the right – to enter the Premium lounge – or towards the stairs or lift if you are heading to the Frequent Flyer lounge.

Qatar Airways Premium Lounge access requirements

Access to the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge is strictly for those on a business class or First Class ticket. Note that Qatar Airways now also sells ‘Business Lite’ fares which do not come with lounge access – be careful when you book.

You can also use the Premium Lounge if you are flying on another oneworld airline in business or First, such as Malaysia Airlines. That said, most other oneworld airlines operate from Terminals 3 or 5.

Anyone travelling on Qatar Airways or another oneworld airline on an economy ticket but with oneworld status can use the neighbouring Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer lounge. This is also an impressive space.

Inside the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge at Heathrow

With eight flights per day the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge is never quiet, although with departures relatively well spaced out it is never packed, either. We arrived around 7am for our 9am departure, with an 8am departure inbetween, and it did clear out after the earlier flight boarded. There was always space to sit.

The lounge benefits from a huge expanse of windows which allow a lot of light in, not dissimilar to the Emirates lounge at Terminal 3. The lounge is is broadly split into two areas with a service area in between, in a horseshoe shape, and has seats for 127 people across 711 square metres.

Purple orchids and a chandelier of candles makes for a statement welcome:

Beyond this is the ‘lounging’ part of the lounge with a variety of seating areas and easy access to soft drinks including tea, coffee as well as wines and champagne (Joseph Perrier NV and Joseph Perrier Rosé NV):

and

Turn right and you walk down a narrower area with window-side seating towards the bar, buffet and dining area:

There’s a big circular bar in the centre with casual dining around it:

…. followed by another dining area at the rear in a moody, windowless space with formal white tablecloths.

There are some smart details here, including a repetition of the candle chandelier:

(Interestingly, the First Class Al Safwa lounge in Doha does not feature white tableclothes, so this is arguably fancier.)

Dining in the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge

As with its Doha lounges, the buffet is relatively small but this is complimented by an extensive a la carte menu which you can find here.

There is a separate breakfast service which I assume transitions to the lunch / dinner service around 10 or 11am. There is also an afternoon tea service around 3pm.

The breakfast includes

• Indian vegetarian breakfast with plain paratha, aloo sabzi, chickpea curry and mint yoghurt
• Egg white omelette with spring onions and king oyster mushrooms
• Eggs Benedict
• Filled omelette with spinach, tomato, cheese and mushrooms
• Foul medames, chopped tomato, parsley, olive oil, cumin powder and chopped onions
• Porridge with toppings: coconut flakes and berries
• Sweet Belgian waffles
• Dark Russian rye bread with avocado, pomegranate seeds and poached egg

I didn’t eat but Rob tried to go off-piste and get an Eggs Royale (poached eggs with salmon) which they weren’t able to do. Instead he had the Eggs Benedict which, frankly, could have done with a slightly more generous portion of (I assume non-pork) bacon – or a smaller piece of bread!

The lunch and dinner menu features items such as:

• Seared beef steak served with braising jus, sweet corn, jalapeño gratin and seasonal vegetables
• Teriyaki salmon with sushi rice and vegetables
• Lamb burger with mint sauce, potato wedges and sumac coleslaw
• Herbed chicken supreme on pappardelle with lobster sauce
• Oriental vegan noodles
• Superfood salad with fennel

…. as well as a selection of sushi.

Conclusion

The Qatar Airways Premium Lounge just works, and with ample natural light and views outside you may even prefer it to the airline’s lounges in Doha.  

It is one of the few business class lounges to offer a la carte dining for business class passengers at Heathrow; the other two are the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, which is a very different vibe, and the Qantas London Lounge, but only at certain times. This alone puts it a step ahead of the competition.

The Qatar Airways Premium Lounge is the complete opposite to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Terminal 3 which is general regarded as the best ‘fun palace’ lounge in the world.  It is a high quality, restrained, adult environment where you can pass your time eating decent food and drinking good quality beverages.

And when it is time to board, it is just a 30 second walk across to the Qatar Airways gates ….