Unsurprisingly, airport lounges are better than general seating at the gate. There’s complimentary drinks and snacks, and free wi-fi – but more than anything else, there’s usually quiet.

The Terraces Lounge at Heathrow T5, for those traveling BA, is one of the largest and best equipped. After a long haul flight it’s certainly refreshing to be able to have a free shower in the lounge to perk yourself back up. Though slightly smaller, the alternative lounge reached from the B Concourse is almost always much, much, quieter than the primary lounge in the larger Concourse A. Flights departing for the USA almost always leave from B or C gates, and so it’s a safe bet to station yourself at the B lounge while waiting.

While things changed during the height of COVID-19, with food no longer self-serve, other than a few pastries, and passengers expected to keep their masks on except when seated to eat or drink, things are entirely back to pre-pandemic times as of 2023.