I’ve just experienced United Airlines new lounges for premium customers at London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 2.

As a reluctant United traveler, I tried to find another lounge to visit but was reassured by an efficient and friendly United staff member I wouldn’t be disappointed and lunch was being served. He was right. The United Club lounge is right up there with the best airline lounges I’ve visited. There is seating for over 280 people with all the amenities you would expect including an impressively long bar with seating for 25 guests. Well-trained, smartly dressed barmen knew their business and were happy to shake up a few cocktails.

As well as United Club members, the lounge is available to Star Alliance Gold members and business-class customers holding boarding passes for same-day travel on flights operated by other Star Alliance carriers departing from Heathrow.

However, having enjoyed the lounge I boarded my flight to San Francisco and was somewhat amazed at the configuration of United’s B777-200 Boeing. First class resembled Air New Zealand’s business class configuration but business class looked like a train. While the seats didn’t face each other, some were going forward and others backwards and they still managed to fit two seats by the window and four in the centre – eight abreast in total.

It sniffed of economy but having said that the service from the ground staff, lounge staff and cabin crew was impressive. It’s amazing how a new lounge can reinvigorate a company.