British Airways newest lounge review: ‘Plane watching and prickly margs’

Standing at the bar, I order something called a ‘Prickly Margarita’ and take a seat on the plush red stool beside me. As the barman gets to work, I take a minute to assess my surroundings. 

The bar is stocked with bottle after bottle, from Whispering Angel to Hendricks gin, resting inside art deco curved edges, reeded glass and gilded trim.

If I ignore the people glued to their screens and laptops around me, I could be in a scene straight from The Great Gatsby.

The vibe is the old-school glamour synonymous with Miami — no surprise, as that’s where I am.

But I’m not in a bar somewhere along the legendary Ocean Drive, I’m in Miami International Airport, making the most of the newly opened British Airways lounge before my flight back to Heathrow.

This new space heralds a new direction for BA, which involves a whopping £7bn ‘transformation programme’ guided by the vision of British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laing, and global architecture firm, Gensler.

The aim is to mix the airline’s iconic style with the character of each host destination. Miami is the second in the scheme (Dubai opened one week earlier).

Have they hit the brief?

With the grand bar as the focal point, plush 1920s furniture, and gold galore (not to mention clever lighting), I would say it’s a big fat yes. 

Look down at the floor and you’ll spot that the intricate geometric pattern, another crucial Art Deco tick, is made from the legendary BA Speedbird icon.

Glance up on arrival, and you’re greeted by a floor mural that, when viewed through the mirrored ceiling, reveals the words ‘London Calling’. 

The furniture is red, white and blue, a nod to the airline’s colour scheme.

The bathroom screams 1930s luxury, with brass taps and a hand dryer to match, plus candy-striped red and white walls which feel bold and avant-garde.

The Concorde Dining Room, which is strictly for First Class passengers and seats just 16 guests, is a sophisticated dining space.

Down a corridor from the main area, it offers a more exclusive feel, despite the lounge spanning 13,000 sqft (making it the largest lounge outside of London solely operated by British Airways). 

However, for me, what makes it all so magic is the fact that it doesn’t feel like your average lounge (which, let’s face it, can sometimes be a glorified holding pen).

Here, I’m not sure I’d want to spend any time hidden away in a very luxurious dining room, as the rest of the space offers a unique opportunity to sit, chat and people-watch in glorious comfort. 

What else does it have to offer?

Of course, there are staples, such as TVs discreetly on the walls for anyone wanting to catch up on the news, and screens with boarding times.

There’s also ‘Focus Rooms’ off to one side, where remote workers can plug in, tune out and get down to business. 

As well as the spacious bathrooms, there are two shower rooms that are pretty huge, and accessible.

In the general dining area, I found small platters of beautifully cooked steak, South Florida flounder, cheeses, pasta, chocolate cake… all the things I am happy to feast on before a flight.

And there are plenty of sugary treats to stock up on, too, which brings us to a downside.

Sweets aside, this isn’t the most kid-friendly lounge. (There’s no fusbal or consoles, as there is in Qatar’s Al Mourjan Business Lounge, for example.)

While children are more than welcome, it feels very much like a grown-up hub… which isn’t necessarily a bad thing for many travellers. 

For the kids I did see, their parents were making the most of the windows that lined three out of the four walls, spotting planes outside or waving at the monorail bringing visitors to Terminal E (where the lounge sits directly above the BA departure gate).

And, in my opinion, it’s one of these windows that offer the best seats in the house.

You can choose from a solo stool in the corner of the bar, or the high-backed sofas that make you feel like you’re having your own private party.

As I’m handed my perfectly mixed drink and choose my spot, I can’t think of a more perfect place to sip a Prickly Margarita and wait for my plane.