The British Airways Lounge Singapore is the only outstation lounge operated by the airline in Asia. Opened in 2015, it takes the space of the former oneworld First Class lounge jointly operated by British Airways and Qantas. The lounge was jointly designed by Singapore-based Kingsmen and London-based Honour Branding, the latter of which is responsible for the concept and design of the airline’s global lounges.

Lounge Access Rules

First Class and Business Class (Club World) passengers flying on same-day British Airways and oneworld flights are eligible for access. Passengers connecting to a oneworld flight from an international oneworld First Class and Business Class flight are also eligible for entry. British Airways Executive Club Silver card holders and above are eligible for access. This also extends to Sapphire status holders with oneworld carriers, such as Cathay Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, or Qantas Gold. Of course, access is also permitted to oneworld Emerald card holders. Additionally, Qantas Club members can use the lounge before a Qantas flight. Refer to the British Airways website for more details.

Location

The British Airways Lounge is located in Terminal 1, just like the majority of oneworld Lounges. After clearing departure immigration in Singapore, turn left and walk past several duty-free shops. You’ll find a pair of escalators next to The Cocoa Trees, with signage pointing to the British Airways Lounge, the Qantas Singapore Lounge, and the SATS Premier Lounge. After going up the escalators, make a left turn. You’ll see the British Airways Lounge immediately in the distance, next to the SATS Premier Lounge.

British Airways Lounge

The British Airways Lounge Singapore opens at 16.00, just over three hours before the first British Airways departure for Sydney. I arrived shortly after opening, making my way from the Qantas Singapore Lounge next door. At the door, I was welcomed by a friendly lounge agent, who invited me in after scanning my boarding pass.

Behind the reception area, to the left is a corridor leading to the coat room, showers, and toilets, which I’ll expand on later. Along the wall to the right is The Bar Singapore, which I’ll also write a bit about soon.

This is followed by a small lounge area immediately behind with a few dozen leather armchairs and sofas. Each seat in the lounge area has a console table, itself featuring a table lamp and charging outlets. The furniture and style is reminiscent of any last-generation Galleries Lounge you’ll find in the UK albeit in better shape.

Dining Area

Further back is the dining area, in which you’ll find a couple of communal hightop tables in the middle, each seating eight people, alongside nine counter seats along the window. The latter also doubles as a convenient working area, given the power outlets available along the counters.

There are also QR codes stuck on the table tops, which you can use to order food on demand. On top of that, a selection of magazines and literature are available on shelves on both ends of this area.

Across the room is a row of booth seats set along the wall. Each booth has seating for four to six people. The cosy leather booth seats are complemented by a beautiful interlocking grid pattern in the background. Likewise, each table has a unique QR code for food orders.

Finally, there are also a handful of hightop bar tables in the dining area proper, which is only appropriate given its proximity to the bar and drinks area.

Food and Drinks

Across and slightly staggered behind this is the lounge’s food spread. Unfortunately I came before the lounge catered for dinner, meaning that there were just a couple hot snacks available. In any case, a choice of good quality cold starters and desserts were still available. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Fortunately, the bar area couldn’t be more different, featuring a full array of self-served alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. All the usual suspects were on offer, including the likes of Bailey’s Irish Creme, Bacardi Rum, Martini & Rossi Vermouth, Taylor’s Port, Smirnoff Vodka, Absolut Vodka, Tanqueray Gin, Gordon Gin, Don Julio Tequila, Southern Comfort, Martell VSOP Cognac, Jack Daniel’s, Johnny Walker Black Label, Glenfidditch Original 12, Jameson’s Whisky, Kahlua Liqueur, Aperol, and Cointreau.

Light snacks like crisps, nuts, and olives are likewise available alongside a selection of juices and soft drinks.

Impressively, there is also a wine bar in the centre, with a nice selection of white wine, red wine, and Prossecco. Additionally, as with most British Airways Lounges, a glass of proper Champagne (or two) is available if you ask a server. Sneaky, sneaky!

QR Code dining

In addition to the food and beverages available at the buffet, there is also a selection of food and drinks that are available on request. These can be ordered by use of the QR codes stuck on the table surfaces scattered all over the lounge.

Lounge Area

Towards the far back of the room is the lounge’s main sitting area, consisting of the same kind of furniture as the small area near the reception. You’ll find greige leather wingback armchairs and sofas, with console tables separating each seat.

This is followed by a similar setup of seats at the far back fo the lounge, only with cream coloured sofa chairs arranged in rows by the window. I’ll note that the windows looks into the interior of terminal, which leaves the view rather uninspiring. Curiously, there are also a few highchairs set along the wall, which I imagine can be moved to a better place should the need arise.

Of the lounge’s seating choices, my favourite is probably the sitting area in the centre, which mimics a living room setup. Featuring just ten seats at most, this is also the lounge’s most spacious sitting area. Contrasting the leather wingbacks with the blue-lit glass walls, the area feels sleek and modern in a mid-2010s kind of way.

Finally, along the wall across the room, you’ll find another sitting area with cream-coloured sofa chairs. As these chairs do not border a wall, the vibe is particularly cosier thanks to the dim lighting.

Business Centre

At the very back of the lounge is a Business Centre with ten seats. Each seat shares a desk and has access to a power outlet and a WiFi-connected printer.

Theatre

Finally, there is also a theatre of sorts bisecting the two sides of the lounge. This area consists of 14 swivelling chairs, each with a side table featuring charging ports. All 14 seats faces a television affixed to the wall in front. While sleek, I couldn’t imagine this area getting much use due to its relatively tight arrangement of seats compared to other areas.

Amenities

The Bar Singapore

As I’ve mentioned earlier, right behind the reception is The Bar Singapore, a space dedicated solely to British Airways First Class passengers. Originally called ‘The Concorde Bar’, the space was renamed a few years back due to frequent misconstrues by Concorde Room Card holders who assume they would have access. The space isn’t much more special than the rest of the lounge, being a darker and cosier room for the airline’s most regarded customers.

While I didn’t have access on this occasion, I had the chance to visit The Bar a few years back when I flew British Airways First Class back to London. À la carte dining is available, although this consists of food similar to those at the buffet though plated up. Coincidentally, the rest of the lounge has also featured on-demand dining, ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, As such, I wouldn’t consider The Bar anything special, although the exclusivity is undoubtedly nice.

Coat room

You’ll find a small storage area located in the corridor shared with the toilet and showers, immediately behind the reception. This storage area is unattended and both the coat hangers and shelves do not have lock mechanisms. In any case, I wouldn’t be too confident in storing my personal effects here.

Showers

The showers and toilets share a common area further left down the corridor from the coat room. The British Airways Lounge features seven showers, all of which are brightly lit and very well-kept. Each shower room features ensuite toilets and lavatories, in addition to British Airways’ signature Elemis amenities. Nice rain showers are also available on top of a conventional handheld shower. It’s quite funny to see an outstation lounge having shower facilities aeons nicer than those at the carrier’s home base in Heathrow.

Toilets

Located just before the shower rooms are the toilets, which are separated by gender. The toilet itself was regularly cleaned and spotless as a result. Like the shower rooms, the toilet was bright and well-kept and featured Elemis amenities.

WiFi

As always, WiFi is available in the lounge, whose use is essential when ordering food from the lounge’s QR code-based ordering system. The speeds are reasonably fast and the connection was stable during my visit.

Overall

Despite its reputation as oneworld’s least favoured lounge in Singapore, the British Airways Lounge remains a comfortable space to pass some time before a flight. This is particularly true given the crowding levels that the Qantas Lounges tend to get. While the lounge is starting to feel a bit outdated, the furniture is well-maintained and cosy. Furthermore, the food is as good as any other airline lounge in Singapore (which isn’t saying much). In any case, I’d be happy to visit the British Airways Lounge before a oneworld flight, although it still won’t be my first choice.

Read more from An Emerald Farewell here!