United Airlines reveals its impressive lounges for Heathrow Terminal 2

We are now getting very close to the grand opening on Heathrow Terminal 2 on June 4th.

You will hardly notice it at the time because – learning lessons from Terminal 5 – the airport is taking it very steady.  United Airlines will be the first to move and will have exclusive use of the terminal for two weeks.  I wrote about the timetable for moving in here.

The first short haul airline, assuming you discount Turkish, is Aer Lingus on July 9th.  I will try to book myself on an Aer Lingus flight soon afterwards and file a report!

If we’re honest, US airlines are not known for having great lounges – especially domestically.  United does seem to be pushing the boat out here with two impressive looking spaces – the ‘United Global First Lounge’ and the ‘United Club’.  The ‘Global First’ lounge will be the de facto choice for ALL First Class passengers using Terminal 2.

To quote from the press release:

Lounges Location

Together, the two lounges occupy 22,000 square feet (2,043 square meters) of space and are located near the airline’s gates in Terminal 2’s satellite concourse. Both facilities feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the airfield, luxurious décor and vintage aviation-themed artwork. Both will offer complimentary food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages) and Wi-Fi. Seating areas and furnishings are conducive to either relaxing or getting work done, with abundant power outlets.

United Global First Lounge

The United Global First Lounge, for customers travelling in United Global First (first class), is an oasis of privacy and personalized service. The centerpiece of the lounge’s dramatic design is an oversized Big Ben-style clock in the tea lounge section. Other features include a buffet area, a wine room, private phone booths and a quiet zone with couches and privacy drapes. Customers using the lounge will have the option of pre-flight dining from an à-la-carte menu.

Customers holding boarding passes for same-day travel in first class on flights operated by other Star Alliance carriers departing from Heathrow will be able to visit the United Global First Lounge.

United Club

The United Club, for United Club members and customers travelling in United BusinessFirst (business class), is the first facility outside the U.S. to feature the new United Club design concept. Its open layout has a variety of seating for over 280 guests. Amenities include a 25-seat full service bar, two buffet areas, a TV lounge and seven private phone booths.

Adjacent to the United Club are eight spacious shower suites for the use of customers using either the Global First Lounge or the United Club, offering complimentary toiletries and valet service with garment pressing and steaming.

Star Alliance Gold members and business-class customers holding boarding passes for same-day travel on flights operated by other Star Alliance carriers departing from Heathrow will be able to visit the United Club.

There will also be an arrivals lounge in the Arrivals Hall which appears to be a generic Star Alliance facility.

The teaser photograph above does look impressive.  There will also be another potentially worthy Priority Pass lounge – apart from United Club – in the form of the Plaza Premium lounge which I wrote about last year.

PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.

How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (April 2025)

Here are the five options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,500 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here.

You can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £290 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A good package, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

Got a small business?

If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum which has the same lounge benefits as the personal Platinum card:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

You should also consider the Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card which has a lower fee and, as well as a Priority Pass for airport lounge access, also comes with Radison Rewards VIP hotel status:

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.