LHR Terminal 3 what to do ?

Hi

I am flying on monday June 23rd with VS009 to JFK. I am arriving early in the morning from HEL at 09:00 on BA795. I have approximately 7 hours to kill at Heathrow Terminal 3. Anyone have any tips on what to do for the duration besides plane spotting ? I was thinking about eating but are there any decent priced restaurants out there ? Too bad as holding the economy ticket there is no VS lounge access... Is there any place in T3 where I could buy model airplanes ie. 1:400 size ? Next time I will be flying on Upper Class for sure..

Midsummer greetings from Finland

I would suggest joining up with Priority Pass (google it and you will find it no problem) and then you can use lounges (sadly not VS lounges, but plenty of other ones which are fine) in most major airports around the world for about £150 per year - massively less than paying for a single UCS seat! I usualy fly Y (well, not even Y, cheapest rate possible) but then enjoy the lounges instead at either end. Makes for a pleasurable flying experience without having to pay very much money. Bargain!

Hi again! If you are inside the terminal building there is not very much to do in my opinion. You have the departure area, with shops and bars and restaurants, but no viewing area. For that you will have to walk out to the different gates.

If you leave the terminal, there is a visitor center on the north side of the airport, with a museum and a shop where you can buy model planes.

http://www.milesfaster.co.uk/informatio ... centre.htm

BTW, we are flying in the same manner, with one airline from our hometown to LHR,and VS to JFK. What do you do about checking in? I am planning to check in with VS online on sunday, and hopefully be able to pick better seats, and then go to SAS check in at my airport and check in for the first leg, and get the luggage sent all the way to JFK. How are you planning to solve this?

If I were you and if you have large bags to check in I'd go straight to T3 and check the bags then think about what to do with a good four / five hours of free time ... spending it inside T3 with no clubhouse being the absolute pit of any list. You could:

- take the HEX into central London and go to the National Gallery for example
- do something similar and eat well
- go to the visitor centre on the periphery

As for restaurants in T3, I wouldn't know I'm afraid [}:)].

You could book yourself into the Servisair lounge in terminal 3. I used it last year and while it is not a patch on the Virgin clubhouse, it is a relative oasis of calm from the madness of terminal 3. You are only supposed to stay a maximum of 3 hours but I am not sure how strictly this is enforced.

It costs £18.50 and you will get more details at http://secure.baa.com/baa/baabook.asp?p=l&src=WEDI75.

Is there any chance for an economy pax to book entrance to the Virgin Clubhouse at T3 ? I am a Flying Club member but don't have enough miles yet. Next time for sure I will be flying Upper Class...

[preiffer]

Originally posted by AY005
Is there any chance for an economy pax to book entrance to the Virgin Clubhouse at T3 ? I am a Flying Club member but don't have enough miles yet. Next time for sure I will be flying Upper Class...

Only if you booked it with Virgin Holidays, which I'm presuming you didn't. Then, you can pay £60 for entrance.

Other than that, with no Flying Club or BMI status, nope - you're out of luck. Sorry.

Slinky's ideas are probably the best - there's not an awful lot to do for 7 hours in T3, and most of the best things are after security.

The best place to eat is Brasserie Chez Gerard if you would like a full meal or TGI Friday's if you fancy a burger etc.

[url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?shoptype=Restaurant&terminal=Heathrow%20T3&search=true&category=&shoplocation=After%20Security&shop=&ChPath=Heathrow^General^Shop,%20eat,%20relax%20and%20enjoy^Eat^Eating%20A-Z]Link[/url]

If you do get into London make sure you are back at T3 1 hour and 30 minutes before your flight to enable you to clear security etc.

Have you thought of asking on the day if VA will switch you to an earlier flight? Sometimes they might just do it - I had that pleasure at LAX, and no charge as well....

Of course if there is a Gold member travelling on the same day, they might be able to get you in to the clubhouse if your flying VA.