United VIP Lounge (former Global First Lounge)
- Complimentary cold buffet
- Complimentary hot buffet
- Complimentary full service restaurant
- Complimentary soft drinks
- Complimentary full bar
- Accessible
- Air conditioning
- Barista coffee
- Flight information monitors
- Newspapers and magazines
- TV
United VIP Lounge (former Global First Lounge) LHR design
The modern design draws inspiration from the new United Club design, with numerous unique and local touches. Large floor to ceiling windows let plenty of light in, and throughout the lounge, dark colors, recessed lighting and art work exude a feeling of understated but timeless elegance.
The centerpiece of the décor is the tea room (and bar area) featuring a replica of Big Ben, manufactured by the same company who made the original. At tea time, a traditional English spread is offered.
Adjacent to the tea room, a curved partition carves out a formal dining area with a floor to ceiling wine walls.
Beyond stretches a seating area comprised of multiple rooms with slightly different vibes and egg chairs, comfortable furniture, and power outlets and USB ports at every seat.
United VIP Lounge (former Global First Lounge) LHR amenities
A small napping area with loungers and curtains provides travelers a private place to relax. While we love the concept, we regret the lack of blankets and pillows, and questionable design – the room isn’t physically separated from the potentially noisy seating area, and while the curves of the couches sure look good, nothing beats a flat surface to sleep. That being said, the amenity provides excellent privacy and, short of a place to sleep, an opportunity to rest and relax.
The beautiful spa-inspired shower suites (located in the adjacent United Club) are a highlight. Elegant, spacious, and modern, they come with a rain shower, towels, branded bath products.
Perhaps the most surprising feature of this lounge, coming from United, is the emphasis placed on food and beverages. A resident chef is in charge of the menu, and patrons not only enjoy a generous buffet and a premium selection of beverages including Laurent Perrier Champagne, but also full sit-down restaurant service with cooked to order food. Tables come with tablecloth, linen and flowers. With plenty of staff, service is prompt, proactive and courteous.
Incidentally, the food in the VIP Lounge is typically superior to what United serves on board, so it may make sense to arrive a little early, enjoy, and then maximize sleep on board.
United VIP Lounge (former Global First Lounge) LHR bottom line
The United VIP Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 2 is a quiet and soothing retreat. While the club doesn’t feature aspirational high end First Class amenities such as private rooms, massages or limousine rides to the aircraft, it does offer a private, high-end experience in an upper scale setting. It is well worth arriving a bit early to enjoy a pre-departure meal at this beautiful facility. In many regards, the United Global First Lounge is superior to British Airways’ tired and crowded first class facilities.
Within Star Alliance, Singapore Airlines also offers a beautiful First Class lounge which may be quieter and offer more attentive service, but both clubs are excellent overall and the United VIP Lounge features a more dynamic vibe and an outstanding décor.
- The elegant design and local touches.
- The beautiful shower suites.
- The restaurant service and food and beverage selection.
- The location of the facility — a hike from check-in and boarding gates.
- The napping area, that emphasizes design over convenience.
The following passengers have access:
- United Global Services members departing on a United intercontinental flight in United Polaris business class (no guests)
- First Class Passengers departing on an intercontinental Star Alliance flight (+1 guest)
- Lufthansa HON Circle members departing on a United or Lufthansa intercontinental flight in Business or First Class (no guests)
You may have access to United VIP Lounge (former Global First Lounge) as a premium customer of one of the following airlines, or as an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Check the Access rules tab for more details, or use our lounge access wizard to find out if you have access.
Star Alliance
Access for eligible customers traveling on any Star Alliance member airline.
ANA (NH) | Aegean (A3) | Air Canada (AC) | |||
Air China (CA) | Air India (AI) | Air New Zealand (NZ) | |||
Asiana (OZ) | Austrian (OS) | Avianca (AV) | |||
Brussels Airlines (SN) | Copa Airlines (CM) | Croatia Airlines (OU) | |||
EGYPTAIR (MS) | EVA Air (BR) | Ethiopian Airlines (ET) | |||
LOT Polish Airlines (LO) | Lufthansa (LH) | SWISS (LX) | |||
Shenzhen Airlines (ZH) | Singapore Airlines (SQ) | South African Airways (SA) | |||
TAP Air Portugal (TP) | Thai Airways (TG) | Turkish Airlines (TK) | |||
United (UA) |
The following is a typical sample selection. Actual choices may vary. All food and drinks are complimentary. A full bar is available.
A la carte breakfast
International selection
- Selection of cereals and juices
- Mini Danish plate served with butter and preserves
- Deli meats and Artisan cheese plate
- Fresh fruit salad with seasonal berries
- Yoghurt selection
- Eggs benedict with turkey or smoked salmon
- Pancakes with maple syrup and cinnamon butter
English breakfast
- Lincolnshire pork sausage
- Vegetarian sausage
- Grilled American style bacon rashers
- Grilled plum tomatoes
- Baked beans
- Hash browns
- Grilled flat mushrooms
- Scrambled, poached or fried eggs
- Omelet selection
A la carte lunch and dinner
Starters
- Woodland mushroom cappuccino (V)
- Vegetable and soya Gyoza, soy vinegar sauce (V)
- Shrimp and cheddar grits
- Parma ham, Rosary goat’s cheese, rocket and chargrilled sourdough bruschetta
Main courses
- United Beef Burger with wine tomato, smoked Applewood cheese, dill pickle, gem lettuce and burger sauce served on Viennoise bun
- Braised beef, creamed mash, baby turnip, carrots and leeks
- Pan fried Masala salmon, lentil salad, stuffed potato
- Ras el Hanout spiced chargrilled chicken with roasted carrot, chickpea and feta salad
- Sauteed potato and semolina gnocchi, chargrilled artichoke, spinach, red pepper coulis (V)
Desserts
- Sticky toffee pudding with banana and clotted cream ice cream
- Chocolate torte, vanilla cream, fresh berries
- Artisan cheese plate with biscuit and quince jelly
Buffet
Snacks
- Popcorn
- Wasabi peanuts
- Roasted salted peanuts
- Mini pretzel
- Cheddar cheese bites
- Potato chips
Appetizers
- Humus
- Rocket peppers
- Feta cheese
- Char grilled peppers with parmesan and balsamic vinegar
- Char grilled artichoke hearts
- Cherry mozarella and garlic marinated sundried tomatoes
- Marinated olives with pickles
- Smocked mackerel
- Smoked salmon
- Selection of Italian antipasti
- Farmhouse ham
Entrees
- Selection of fresh sandwiches and wraps available upon requestHerb roasted potatoes
- Mixed vegetables
- Tofu and bean soy ginger noodles
- Broccoli and beef stir fry and black bean sauce
- Onion pilau rice
- Chicken harra masala
Desserts
- Fresh fruit salad shots
- Oat and lemon cookies
- Hazelnut biscuits
- White chocolate cookies
- Almond cantuccini
- Double chocolate cookies
- Lemon and poppy cake
- Blueberry and almond frangipane tart
- Boston brownie
- Stem ginger and apricot flapjacks
- Blueberry and almond frangipane tart
Drinks
Premium red wines
- 2013 L’Enclos Merlot/Cabernet, Pays d’Oc, Domaine de Castelnau, France
- 2012 Marques de Reinosa Rioja Crianza, Spain
- 2013 Tantehue Merlot, Central Valley, Chile
- 2013 Barbera del Monferrato, Cantine Volpi, Italy
Premium white wines
- 2014 Pehhcora Pecorino, IGP Terre di Chieti, Italy
- 2013 Matys White, Sauvignon, Diemersdal, South Africa
- 2014 Les Ronces Chardonnay, Domaine de Castelnau, France
- 2014 Marques de Reinosa Blanco Rioja, Spain
Champagne, sweet and rose wines
- Laurent Perrier, Tours sur Marne, France
- N.V. Laytons Brut Reserve Rose, France
- 2011 Chateau Petit Vedrines, Sauternes, France
- 2013 Marques de Reinosa Rioja, Rose, Spain
4.5 / 5, based on 23 reviews
Overall ratings
New lounge with great and bright interior and plenty of seating in different areas including a restaurant. Hardly any passengers in this place when I was there while the United business lounge was really crowded. Nice touches like a Big Ben clock and tasteful decoration throughout the lounge. Apron view. Much better than the AA flagship lounge in Heathrow.
Very nice selection of breakfast items and fantastic choice of beverages including 3 different kind of champagne. You can help yourself at the buffet or order something from the menu. As a special treat they had quite a selection of sweet stuff to celebrate 4th of July.
Free WIFI, newspapers and magazines. Bathrooms are quite nice.
A lovely lounge all around, with true first class amenities such as full a-la-carte service in the dining area, good wines, and gorgeous shower suites. United’s best.