Heathrow Terminal 2 — the Queen’s Terminal — is home to Star Alliance and has nine departure lounges in total. Six are airline lounges operated by Star Alliance carriers; the other three are independent. The independent lounges (Lufthansa Business, Aer Lingus) in the main T2A building are accessible without a long walk. The Star Alliance carrier lounges — Singapore Airlines, United, Air Canada, ANA — are in the T2B satellite, a 10–15 minute walk away with no connecting train. That geography matters when choosing where to go.

The standout feature of T2 is the quality of its Star Alliance airline lounges. Singapore Airlines SilverKris, United Polaris and Air Canada Maple Leaf are among the best business lounges at Heathrow. For Star Alliance Gold holders, this terminal is genuinely excellent. For everyone else — Priority Pass, Amex Platinum, no status — the choice is narrower and the quality lower. There is no Centurion Lounge. There are no oneworld lounges. The two independent PP options have no natural light and no showers.

At a Glance

Gold = Star Alliance Gold status  |  Gold+* = SilverKris First may also be accessible to Business Class passengers on SQ and certain Star Alliance partners — verify with the airline  |  LH Grp† = Amex Platinum accepted at Lufthansa Business and Senator lounges when flying on a Lufthansa Group carrier (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings, Discover, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss)  |  EI + BA‡ = Aer Lingus Business Class, AerClub status; BA Gold and Silver when flying Aer Lingus (no guests via BA status)  |  +£28 = Plaza Premium showers available at approximately £27.50 surcharge on top of lounge entry  |  ✗ = not accepted

Best for Star Alliance Gold

Star Alliance Gold holders at T2 have access to every airline lounge in the terminal — six in total — making this one of the strongest terminals in Europe for Gold members. The clear first choice is the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Business Class Lounge in T2B: spacious, well-maintained, with runway views, showers, a full bar and a buffet that consistently draws strong reviews. If your gate is in the T2B satellite and you have time, this should be your default.

The United Polaris Lounge is the second serious contender — the best cocktail bar of any lounge in the satellite, with a dedicated staffed bar, good natural light, and showers. Reviewers consistently rate it above average for an airline lounge at Heathrow, particularly for drinks quality. The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is the quieter, more intimate option — smaller, with big windows and private nooks, lighter on food but a calm environment if you want peace before a long flight.

The ANA Lounge is compact but carefully considered — high quality within its footprint, with a Japanese-influenced food offer. The SilverKris First Class Lounge is the premium tier, generally reserved for first class passengers and may require a SQ first class ticket rather than Gold status alone; verify access terms before your trip. The Lufthansa Business and Senator Lounge is in the main T2A building, making it the most convenient option for short-haul Star Alliance departures where returning to T2A is easier than walking to T2B — but it is the weakest of the six airline lounges on food and atmosphere.

Best for Amex Platinum

There is no Centurion Lounge at T2. The Amex Platinum card gives direct access to the Lufthansa Business and Senator lounges — but only when you are flying on a Lufthansa Group carrier (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, Discover, Air Dolomiti or Edelweiss). If your flight is on a different airline, Amex Platinum offers no dedicated airline lounge access at T2.

For all other carriers, Amex Platinum cardholders fall back to the Priority Pass card that comes with the account. This gives free access to both the No1 Lounge and Plaza Premium — the same two independent lounges available to any Priority Pass holder. The Plaza Premium allows one guest free under Amex Platinum direct access; standard PP guest rates apply at No1. Neither lounge offers natural light or showers as part of the standard package.

Best for Priority Pass

Priority Pass holders have two options at T2: No1 Lounge and Plaza Premium, both in the main T2A building and both free on standard PP. They are different lounges that suit different needs. No1 Lounge (opened December 2024) is the better environment — boutique hotel design, a signature cocktail programme, and a more polished atmosphere than Plaza Premium. It is also smaller (90 seats) and fills quickly; pre-book online for a £6 fee to guarantee entry. Plaza Premium is larger, has a fuller hot and cold buffet, and is the only independent lounge at T2 with showers — at a £27.50 surcharge on top of the entry price.

Both lounges have no windows. For a drink before a short flight, No1 is the better experience. For a longer layover with a proper meal and a possible shower, Plaza Premium is more functional despite its age. Neither comes close to the Star Alliance airline lounges in T2B — if your access route allows you into any of those, use them first.

Best for BA Gold and Silver

BA Gold and Silver cardholders flying Aer Lingus from T2 can access the Aer Lingus Lounge in the main T2A building — a refurbished (2024) lounge with floor-to-ceiling airfield views, the only lounge in the main terminal building with natural light. Guest access is not permitted via BA status. This is a genuinely useful and under-utilised benefit: the Aer Lingus Lounge is a better environment than either independent lounge at T2 and is directly on the security level, avoiding the escalator descent to the lower concourse.

For Star Alliance flights, BA Executive Club status is not Star Alliance Gold and does not give access to any Star Alliance airline lounges at T2. BA Gold and Silver cardholders on non-Aer Lingus flights at T2 are limited to the independent lounges (No1 or Plaza Premium) via Priority Pass, which comes with both the Gold and Silver cards.

Best for Families

The Plaza Premium Lounge is the most practical family option among the card-accessible lounges — it is larger than No1, has toilets inside, and allows Amex Platinum cardholders to bring one guest free (with children under two admitted free on Amex Platinum). The No1 Lounge restricts under-12s to family seating areas and requires supervision. Neither independent lounge has a dedicated children’s area. The airline lounges in T2B are better equipped for longer family waits but require Star Alliance Gold status or a premium cabin ticket. If you are travelling as a family without status, Plaza Premium is the most accommodating option for the price.

Best if You Have No Card or Status

Without status, a premium ticket, or a lounge membership card, you have two cash options: No1 Lounge from approximately £40 per person, or Plaza Premium from approximately £43 for a two-hour visit. Both are available online in advance via the respective lounge websites, and both offer a meaningful step up from eating in the terminal. No1 is the more pleasant environment; Plaza Premium is the better option if you want a proper meal or intend to stay longer. The Aer Lingus Lounge accepts walk-in cash purchases for passengers flying on Aer Lingus-operated flights — worth noting if you are on an EI departure and do not hold any access credentials.