Etihad Closes Heathrow Lounge for Renovation

Etihad Airways has closed its London Heathrow Terminal 4 lounge for a major renovation. Passengers were reportedly only notified of the closure the day before it took effect. You can check current flight fixtures to see which services are affected.

No timeframe has been given for the lounge's reopening. The airline has described the planned work as 'major,' but specific details about the renovations are not yet clear.

Replacement Lounge Options

During the closure, most Etihad passengers are being directed to the Gulf Air Falcon Gold lounge in Terminal 4. According to a review by Rhys on Head for Points, this lounge is well proportioned, bright and with high ceilings and great views. The review also noted it was quiet and relaxing, providing a calm environment.

There is a key exception to this arrangement for passengers on one specific flight.

Exception for Late-Night Flight

Only passengers on flight EY68, the 21.45 evening departure, face different lounge access rules. For this flight, only travelers booked in The Residence or First Class cabins can use the Gulf Air Falcon Gold lounge. This restriction is presumably due to capacity constraints from other flights using the lounge at that time.

For EY68 only, business class passengers and elite members of the Etihad Guest loyalty program will be directed to the Plaza Premium lounge in Terminal 4. A recent review notes this lounge relocated to the lower level of the old SkyTeam lounge and is considered very good for a Priority Pass lounge, though likely busier than the Gulf Air option.

Previous Lounge Review

The now-closed Etihad lounge was last reviewed by Head for Points in 2023. That review concluded the lounge was in good condition and described it as excellent. Reviewer Rhys highlighted the full table service dining room available to business class passengers, a feature he noted is becoming rarer outside of First Class lounges.

He stated that with better food and excellent service it is better than any British Airways lounge except, perhaps, the Concorde Room in Terminal 5. The review also claimed the Etihad lounge held its own with some of the best at Heathrow, including the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge in Terminal 3. For more details on airline performance and service, you can visit our stats page.

The site plans to review the Etihad lounge again once it reopens following the renovation work.