Back in May 2023, Singapore Airlines revealed that a revamp was on the cards for some of its overseas SilverKris lounges on the network, following completion of its home base T3 lounge renovation, and in early February this year London Heathrow was confirmed as one of those going under the knife.
The first overseas SilverKris Lounge renovation was completed in late February this year – in Perth, Australia.
The new Heathrow lounge has formally opened its doors to eligible guests today, following a six-month closure during which lounge-eligible passengers have been redirected to alternative facilities including the United Club and the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge.
(Photo: Head for Points)
Today’s reopening is good news for passengers, with 16% more seats than the old version, though the lounge retains its original location.
The refurbished London Heathrow SilverKris lounge
The refurbished London Heathrow SilverKris lounge takes on the carrier’s latest iteration of the ‘Home away from home’ concept, but as with the recently completed Perth lounge takes significant elements from the airline’s revamped home base T3 facilities, which were completed in May 2022.
(Photo: Head for Points)
These include spacious long tables with both low chair and high stool seating options, ideal for dining or work.
Reflecting the Airline’s flagship SilverKris Lounge in Singapore’s Changi Airport, the lounge is designed to offer customers a sense of home, by offering distinct personal spaces as well as personalised service.
Singapore Airlines
Located in Terminal 2’s B concourse, close to departure gate B36, Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris Lounge at London Heathrow Airport first opened in September 2014, along with the revamped Terminal 2 itself.
That makes this latest refurbishment the first for the lounge in close to a decade.
(Photo: Head for Points)
The revamped facility accommodates 242 passengers, 16% than its former 208 capacity, and boasts:
- Numerous charging points for electronic devices, including new USB-C and USB-A outlets
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- 75-inch widescreen TV screens streaming live TV
- A buffet offering hot and cold options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a selection of Western and Asian dishes
- A revamped fully-tended cocktail bar, with bar seating for 10 customers
- Rodier Pere & Fils Brut Champagne, rated at 3.7 / 5 on Vivino
- A total of four shower suites in the Business Class section and a further two in the First Class section
- SIA’s latest specially designed productivity pods
(Photo: Head for Points)
Other elements of the carrier’s latest design at its home base lounges include a batik motif feature wall and high wingback chairs.
The airline’s latest productivity pods are also a great addition, and have taken on a light blue tone at this lounge.
(Photo: Singapore Airlines)
Head for Points was at the media opening of the new lounge earlier this week, and you can see his take on it along with several photos of the upgraded facility in this full review here.
“Singapore Airlines’ all-new SilverKris Lounge at London Heathrow offers customers a refreshed, spacious, and welcoming environment. From new furnishings to extra seating options, there are thoughtful touches throughout.
Mohamed Rafi Mar, General Manager UK and Ireland, Singapore Airlines
“Our lounge has been optimised to create a well-balanced space, whether you are working, relaxing, or spending time with your family, loved ones or colleagues ahead of flying. This is part of our continued commitment to offering an unrivalled travel experience, and we look forward to welcoming customers through our doors.”
The dedicated First Class section at the Heathrow SilverKris lounge has been retained, with capacity for 50 passengers.
Here eligible passengers can order à la carte and made-to-order dishes from a newly designed menu, or choose from the buffet. Dishes include Singapore Laksa and Hainanese Chicken Rice.
(Photo: Singapore Airlines)
Champagne in the First Class section upgrades to Laurent Perrier, which picks up a 4.1 / 5 rating on Vivino.
Opening hours
The London Heathrow SilverKris lounge has adopted its pre-renovation opening hours, covering all four of the carrier’s daily departures from the UK capital’s main airport.
- 5.30am to 10pm (Daily)
for SQ305 09:25 (777-300ER)
for SQ317 11:25 (A380)
for SQ319 20:35 (A380)
for SQ321 22:05 (777-300ER)
(Photo: Heathrow Airport Limited)
The all-day opening means those departing from Terminal 2 on a variety of Star Alliance flights, like United Airlines, Thai Airways and Air Canada, can also make use of this newly refurbished lounge.
Similarly lounge-eligible passengers departing Heathrow on SIA can continue to access the United Club or the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, if they prefer.
Access (Business Class section)
The following passengers are able to access SIA’s SilverKris Business lounge at London Heathrow, when departing on a Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance member operated flight:
- in Suites Class or First Class (+1 guest)
- in Business Class (passenger only)
- in any cabin class when holding KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS or Solitaire PPS status (+1 guest)
- in any cabin class when 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 departing on the same flight as you, as part of a policy that was tightened in 2022.
Additionally, only when flying on a Singapore Airlines flight:
- Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum and Gold status members, in any cabin class (+1 guest)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold status members, in any cabin class (passenger only)
Again your guest (where permitted) must be travelling on the same Singapore Airlines flight as you.
Access (First Class section)
The following passengers are entitled to access the First Class section:
- Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance First Class (or Suites) travellers
- Solitaire PPS Club members travelling on Singapore Airlines
What about London Gatwick?
Singapore Airlines has been unsuccessful at bidding for additional takeoff and landing slots at London Heathrow, so instead earlier this year the carrier expanded its London operations with a five times weekly Airbus A350 flight to and from the UK capital’s second airport, Gatwick.
Unfortunately there is no SilverKris Lounge or Star Alliance lounge at Gatwick, and so there the airline uses a third-party alternative for lounge-eligible departing passengers – the No1 Lounge.
This reopening of a refurbished SilverKris Lounge at Heathrow will no doubt enhance the appeal of departing from this primary hub over Gatwick for many passengers.
More SKL revamps to come
Earlier this month, Singapore Airlines revealed that refurbishment of the Heathrow SilverKris lounge isn’t the last one planned on the network, with several of the carrier’s SKLs also potentially in need of a refreshed look.
We inaugurated a new SilverKris Lounge at Perth International Airport in February 2024, with renovations underway at the London (Heathrow) lounge and plans for further upgrades across our network.
Singapore Airlines Annual Report, July 2024
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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 |
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Melbourne and Taipei now 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 has now received a refreshed design, the decade-old Sydney lounge could also be on the list, 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.
(Photo: Singapore Airlines)
Summary
The Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge at London Heathrow has become the second overseas SKL on the carrier’s network to receive the latest post-pandemic design refresh, retaining its former location but with 16% more capacity.
The new lounge decor brings it up to date and in line with the latest design concept at the Changi T3 lounges, while the retention of a dedicated First Class section means à la carte dining and better Champagne is on offer for First Class and Solitaire PPS Club customers.
We look forward to trying this one out next time we’re departing from Heathrow.
(Cover Photo: Singapore Airlines)