In 2022, Singapore Airlines completed its home base lounge renovation project at Changi Airport Terminal 3, with brand new designs at The Private Room, SilverKris lounges and the KrisFlyer Gold lounge, a S$50 million project to see these facilities through to the opening of Terminal 5 in the mid-2030s.
Now SIA is extending its lounge renovation project to overseas stations, and today has revealed that its lounges at London Heathrow, where the carrier operates four flights per day to its Singapore Changi hub, are next in line for a revamp.
London Heathrow SKLs closing for refurbishment
From 8th February 2024, the SilverKris lounges at London Heathrow will close for an approximate four to six-month refurbishment, which will bring them up to date with the latest lounge design concept.
Passengers will be directed to the nearby United Club lounge during the closure period.
Capacity will also increase by 16%, from the existing 208 seats to 242 seats, but the lounge will remain in its current location, hence the temporary closure.
A fixed reopening date is not yet available, with Singapore Airlines promising to raise the shutters on the revamped facilities “later in the summer”, which according to most definitions would be between June and August 2024.
These projects do tend to slip a little in our experience, so don’t be surprised if the actual opening date ends up being a little later in the year than proposed!
“Having continuously operated from the UK’s capital for over 50 years, London is an important premium market for Singapore Airlines. The renovation of the SilverKris Lounge at London Heathrow demonstrates our commitment to London and will deliver an enhanced experience to our customers once reopened .”
Mohamed Rafi Mar, GM UK & Ireland, Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is expanding its London operations with five times weekly services to and from London Gatwick Airport from June 2024 (though it really wanted daily ones!). At the time of writing, the carrier has not confirmed which lounge it will use at that location.
About the Heathrow SKL
Located in Terminal 2’s B concourse, close to departure gate B36, Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris Lounge at London Heathrow Airport first opened in September 2021, along with the revamped Terminal 2 itself.
It was one of the first lounges to receive SIA’s ‘Home Away From Home’ design by Singapore-based ONG&ONG, but of course that “new” design is now over a decade old.
We have a full guest review from the lounge’s post-COVID reopening in 2021, though back then the shower facilities remained unavailable.
One of the more popular aspects of this lounge is its selection of Singapore food dishes, for those craving some Asian fare after a Europe trip.
The lounge also has a dedicated First Class section, and happily Singapore Airlines has confirmed to Mainly Miles that this too will remain in the upcoming lounge, sporting “a refreshed look” of its own.
What to expect from the revamped Heathrow SKL
London Heathrow will be the second overseas SilverKris lounge on the network to receive an upgrade, following SIA’s announcement last year that several of these facilities were due to go under the knife.
“A process has started to look at renovating some of [our] key lounges around the world, so that our customers can experience upgraded lounges when they travel with us.”
Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines
17th May 2023
Perth was then revealed as the first facility to be getting an upgrade, thanks to a move to the space formerly occupied by the Qantas lounge, which has double the capacity and will therefore see a much-improved experience for passengers, including a tended bar and shower facilities.
Unfortunately the opening of the revamped Perth SKL has been delayed from the original target of late 2023, with Singapore Airlines recently confirming to Mainly Miles that it is now due to open by the end of March 2024.
While Singapore Airlines has not yet shared any images of how its new Heathrow SilverKris lounge will look, according to the carrier it “will continue with the refreshed ‘Home Away from Home’ concept, while taking elements from the recently completed flagship SilverKris Lounge in Singapore”.
That means we can expect a similar style and finish promised for soon-to-be-revealed Perth lounge, while also potentially seeing some of the latest features included at the revamped Changi T3 lounges.
The Heathrow SilverKris lounge already includes many features like a tended bar and shower facilities, so it’s almost certain these will remain.
Hopefully Singapore Airlines is able to provide some artist’s renderings of the new Heathrow lounge design in due course that we can then share with you prior to the reopening.
In the meantime, SIA has shared with Mainly Miles that “the London Heathrow SilverKris Lounge’s restrooms and most of the furniture will be refurbished to match the look and feel of our flagship SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 3”.
Alternative Heathrow lounge: United Club
During the Heathrow SilverKris lounge closure, eligible lounge guests will be redirected to the United Club, which is in a slightly different location with its entrance at the opposite side of the large duty free store in T2B.
This area is around 10-15 minutes from the main T2A shops and short-haul departure gates, but adjacent to the departure gates for long-haul flights, including those operated by Singapore Airlines.
Access to the United Club will remain available to all those who currently enjoy SilverKris lounge access at Heathrow, as follows:
- in Suites Class or First Class (+1 guest)
- in Business Class (passenger only)
- in Premium Economy or Economy class and holding KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS or PPS Solitaire status (+1 guest)
- in Premium Economy or Economy class and holding Star Alliance Gold status (+1 guest)
- in any class holding paid membership to United Club or Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide (+1 guest)
In all cases your guest (where permitted) must be travelling on the same Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance member operated flight as you.
The United Club reopened post-pandemic in January 2022, four months after the SilverKris lounge at the airport, and we’ve never made a secret of the fact that we actually prefer it over the (current) SKL!
We typically used the United Club when departing with SIA from London Heathrow anyway, but it will now become the official ‘go-to’ for passengers, for the next few months at least.
The impressive 25-seat cocktail bar is the longest at Heathrow Airport (for now!).
One thing about the United Club that really stands out is the extensive beverage list.
All drinks are complimentary (not the case at United Clubs in the USA), and the bar staff will also go “off-piste” and mix you a drink of your choice if they have the ingredients.
On morning flights, the English Breakfast buffet in particular was fantastic, so much so we’d recommend skipping your hotel breakfast on departure day and just eating here!
The United Club also serves a (quintessentially British) afternoon tea selection for the post-lunch crowd, to pair with your Champagne.
That’s made popping over to the United Club just for a drink at the bar a strategy many use if they have time, before heading across to the SilverKris lounge.
The United Club currently operates from 5am to 10pm daily, and here’s how SIA’s departures fit into the opening window alongside United’s own services, to help you see how busy you can expect the lounge to be.
- Lounge opens 05:00
- UA 08:00 EWR
- UA 09:10 EWR
- UA 09:20 SFO
- SQ305 09:10 SIN (B777)
- UA 10:05 IAH
- UA 10:25 ORD
- SQ317 10:55 SIN (A380)
- UA 11:35 DEN
- UA 12:00 EWR
- UA 12:05 IAD
- UA 12:05 ORD
- UA 12:35 IAH
- UA 13:35 EWR
- UA 13:45 SFO
- UA 15:20 LAX
- UA 18:00 EWR
- SQ319 20:35 SIN (A380)
- SQ321 22:05 SIN (B777)
- Lounge closes 22:00
As you can see United has many departures from London Heathrow each day, but they wind up at 6pm, so SIA passengers should enjoy a quieter experience prior to the evening departures.
Those departing on SQ305 and SQ317 will experience the United Club during its busier periods.
Here’s a recent review of the United Club so you know what to expect there.
Lounge-eligible travellers can also use the Air Canada Maple Leaf Club lounge at Heathrow T2, which is located adjacent to the SilverKris lounge.
This one also includes a tended bar, a live cooking station and shower facilities, so it may be a good alternative if you find the United Club getting too busy, especially with all SIA passengers inside.
Here’s a recent review of that one, so you know what to expect.
Skip the Lufthansa lounge
The only other lounge for Star Alliance passengers departing from London Heathrow is the Lufthansa option in the ‘A’ Gates section, closer to the intra-Europe departure gates.
It’s nothing special and we definitely wouldn’t recommend SIA passengers using it, since the walk out to the T2B pier (where the United, Air Canada and SIA lounges are located) will be required anyway come boarding time.
Catering predominantly for short-haul travellers, there are no showers at this lounge.
Future SKL revamps to come?
Hopefully the revamp at the Heathrow SilverKris lounge isn’t the last one planned, with several of the carrier’s SKLs also potentially in need of a refreshed look.
Here’s a summary of SIA’s overseas SilverKris lounges, including which were revamped with the ‘Home Away From Home’ design.
| Older concept |
‘Home away from home’ concept |
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With Perth’s revamp already nearly compete, Melbourne and Taipei stand out as the two lounges most in need of a facelift, with no major refresh for well over a decade at these facilities.
Given that London is now getting a new design, Sydney could also be on the cards, which would allow the airline to show off it’s latest lounge concept at all three customer touch points on the popular ‘kangaroo route’, which attracts a substantial proportion of the carrier’s revenue.
Summary
Singapore Airlines is closing its SilverKris lounge at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 from 8th February 2024 for a few months, but the good news is this will allow for a refreshed lounge with a brand new look opening later in the summer.
Heathrow will be the second overseas SilverKris lounge to get a revamp, following an all-new facility in a brand new location at Perth Airport, which should be opening in February or March 2024.
The United Club at Heathrow, one of our personal favourites, is a great alternative for passengers during this period, though if it gets too crowded do consider checking out the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge, which is in the same location as the SKL.
Hopefully there are some more overseas SilverKris lounge upgrades in the pipeline, with those in Melbourne and Taipei standing out as the most in need of a facelift.
(Cover Photo: Singapore Airlines)
Can First/Suite/Business passengers arriving at LHR use the new lounge?
No, this lounge is located in the departures area after security control. Arrivals and departures are completely segregated at London Heathrow T2. There is no lounge access here on arrival for any SIA passengers, regardless of travel class.
Hello wondering if passengers flying Singapore Airlines have successfully entered United Airlines lounge in LHR? I can’t find anyone at Singapore Airlines or United Airlines that knows about this agreement while the refurbishment is happening… help?
Any idea when they will announce a reopen date