Heathrow Terminal 5 is to gain a new flagship lounge, as No1 Lounges prepares to replace its existing Club Aspire Lounge with a larger and more comfortable space. Announced in London on 17 September 2026, the project will see the current lounge close early November 2026 for a major refurbishment and expansion. It will reopen under the No1 Lounge brand in early Spring 2027.
The multi-award-winning operator is responding to a clear and sustained rise in demand for airport lounges. New research shows usage among regular flyers has reached record levels worldwide, with the UK recording its strongest growth to date. The redesigned space has been planned with this in mind, placing generous personal space, flexible seating and a warm residential interior at the heart of the scheme.
There has recently been a growing appetite for premium space within the airport. According to the Airport Experience Study 2026, 52% of regular flyers worldwide now use lounges, a record figure. The UK has seen the sharpest rise, with lounge usage among frequent flyers climbing by 16% year-on-year, the strongest growth the study has recorded.
The findings also reveal changing expectations inside the terminal. Demand is building for private spaces, reserved seating, wellness services and showers, a list of priorities that goes well past a comfortable chair and a drink. Lounge users continue to rate their overall experience significantly higher than airport restaurants, placing the lounge at the centre of how many passengers now plan their time before a flight.
The company has substantially increased the amount of dedicated seating for guests flying alone, offering greater choice and privacy for anyone who prefers to work or rest undisturbed. Power access will be available at 95% of seats, supporting everything from a final round of emails to a moment of calm before boarding.
“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.”
Sharon Jevans, Managing Director, No1 Lounges
The design takes its cue from the warmth and character of a British country home, and conceived as a calm retreat within one of the world’s busiest terminals, the scheme balances intimacy with openness. It pairs the comfort of a private residence with the polish expected of a world-class destination.
A room for every mood
Instead of a single open floor, the lounge is arranged as a series of named rooms, allowing guests to choose the setting that best suits their plans. Arrival is through The Reception, a calm entrance with a chequerboard floor and fluted brass screens. Beyond it, The Lounge and The Library provide quiet, curated seating for reading, working or resting.
The Pantry serves as an all-day servery, finished with handmade green tile and open timber dressers. The Orangery houses a feature bar set beneath a mature tree, positioned against full-height glazing with views across the apron, while The Greenhouse runs the full length of the lounge. Herringbone timber floors, slatted timber ceilings, arched openings, antique brass detailing and generous planting connect each room and give the whole space a consistent character.
The lounge is being developed within the existing airport building, an approach that favours careful refurbishment over new construction. Several sustainability features have been built into the plans, including an all-electric kitchen and LED lighting throughout the space.
Selected furnishings are made from recycled-content fabrics, complementing a material palette of stone, oak, linen and brass chosen for its ability to age well. Together, these decisions give the project a responsible foundation while preserving the premium finish that defines the interior.
Heathrow’s new flagship
Once open, the Terminal 5 lounge will become the company’s premier UK location, strengthening its presence at Heathrow and reinforcing its position as a leader in premium airport hospitality. The closure of the Club Aspire Lounge on 2 November 2026 marks the start of the redevelopment, with the reopening planned for early Spring 2027.
For regular users of Terminal 5, the combination of more room per guest, dedicated solo seating and near-universal power access responds directly to the preferences identified in the AX26 findings. With UK lounge usage growing faster than at any point recorded by the study, the investment places the operator in a strong position as demand continues to rise.