No1 Lounges will open its new flagship UK lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5 in early spring 2027, replacing the terminal’s existing Club Aspire Lounge with a larger lounge.
The current lounge will close on 2 November 2026 for refurbishment and expansion. Its footprint will grow by 28%, from 435 sq m to 557 sq m, while capacity will rise more modestly from 139 to 152 seats.
No1 Lounges says the additional floor space will give each guest approximately 16% more room rather than being used primarily for extra seats. It will also introduce a broader choice of seating, including substantially more places created for solo travellers.
Power will be accessible from 95% of seats, supporting passengers who want to work before departure as well as those looking for a quiet drink or some time away from the main terminal.
“Terminal 5 is one of the most important aviation gateways in the world, and this investment reflects both the demand we’re seeing today and our ambitions for the future,” said Sharon Jevans, managing director of No1 Lounges.
“Travellers increasingly view lounge access as an essential part of their journey rather than an occasional luxury. Our new flagship lounge will provide more space, greater comfort and an elevated experience that showcases the very best of the No1 Lounges brand.”
A British country home inside Terminal 5
Located within Heathrow Terminal 5, the new No1 Lounge is being designed as a contemporary interpretation of a British country home, with residential details intended to soften the functional atmosphere of the airport.
Herringbone timber floors and slatted ceilings will be paired with arched openings and generous planting, while stone, oak, linen and brass shape the interior. The palette is intended to feel warm and established without recreating a period country house too literally.
Instead of using one large open-plan room, the lounge will be divided into named spaces with different purposes and levels of privacy. This arrangement should allow passengers to choose an environment that better suits the way they want to spend their time before boarding.
The Reception will provide the first transition from the terminal, using a chequerboard floor and fluted brass screens to define the entrance. Beyond it, The Lounge and The Library will offer quieter seating arrangements for passengers seeking a more secluded setting.
The Pantry will serve food throughout the day from an area finished with handmade green tiles and open timber dressers. No1 Lounges has not yet published the opening menu or confirmed which drinks will be included in the entry price.
The Orangery will form the lounge’s visual centrepiece, with a feature bar positioned beneath a mature tree. Full-height glazing will look across the airport apron, keeping the setting connected to the movement of aircraft outside.
The Greenhouse will extend along the length of the lounge, continuing the planting and natural-material theme. These separate rooms will offer more variety than uniform rows of seating.
More space without a major rise in capacity
The 122 sq m expansion will create only 13 additional seats, making personal space the clearest practical change. The redevelopment will also increase the variety of layouts available for individual passengers, couples and larger parties.
Solo seating is receiving specific attention as part of the new plan. Dedicated places should give passengers travelling alone more privacy, while reducing the need to occupy tables or grouped seating intended for several guests.
Charging access at almost every seat will be useful for business travellers. The residential layout is designed to support both focused work and slower pre-flight stays.
The existing Club Aspire Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 currently includes runway views, complimentary food and drinks, unlimited Wi-Fi and a fully tended bar. It accepts Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass members when access is pre-booked.
Those facilities and entry arrangements apply to the present Club Aspire operation. No1 Lounges has not confirmed that every benefit, card partnership or booking condition will continue unchanged when the new flagship opens.
The operator has indicated that pre-booked lounge passes are available from £38 per person. Final pricing and detailed access conditions for the reopened Terminal 5 lounge may be published closer to its spring launch.
Airport lounge use reaches a record level
The redevelopment follows sustained growth in paid and membership-based airport lounge access. The Airport Experience Study 2026 from Airport Dimensions surveyed more than 11,000 travellers across 17 markets and found that 52% of regular travellers now use airport lounges, an 11% year-on-year increase.
In the UK, lounge use among frequent flyers rose by 16% over the year, according to figures cited in the No1 Lounges announcement. The operator said passengers are seeking more private areas and reserved seating, alongside services such as showers and wellness treatments.
The research also found that lounge users rated their overall experience more highly than visits to airport restaurants. Broader membership options, including benefits linked to banks and travel networks, have helped move lounge access beyond travellers holding premium airline tickets.
Affluent leisure travellers represented 26% of surveyed passengers but generated 57% of reported airport spending. The study also identified growing willingness to pay for enhanced services such as lounge entry, fast-track security, meet-and-greet assistance and premium retail.
The Terminal 5 redevelopment comes as airport lounges take on a larger role within the wider journey. The limited increase in seats suggests No1 Lounges is targeting passengers who value quiet and personal space as much as complimentary refreshments.
An all-electric refurbishment
The new lounge is being developed within Heathrow’s existing building rather than as a separate extension. Its all-electric kitchen will be accompanied by LED lighting throughout, while selected furnishings will use fabrics containing recycled material.
No1 Lounges operates 17 airport lounges across the UK and Channel Islands through several brands. Its portfolio includes the flagship No1 format and the informal My Lounge concept, alongside Clubrooms and Club Aspire.
The company already operates at Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Birmingham, as well as Jersey. Its No1 Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2 was named World’s Leading Airport Lounge at the 2025 World Travel Awards. That separate post-security lounge is open daily and currently lists entry from £44 per person.
The move away from Club Aspire at Terminal 5 had been reported in August 2026, but the latest announcement confirms the closure date, dimensions and spring 2027 opening window.
Passengers planning to use the present Club Aspire facility can continue to consult its current booking page until the 2 November closure. No1 Lounges has yet to announce the flagship lounge’s precise opening day.
