No1 Lounges has announced plans to open a new flagship lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5 in early Spring 2027.
The new lounge will replace the current Club Aspire Lounge, which will close on 2 November 2026 to allow for a major refurbishment and expansion. Reopening under the No1 Lounge brand, the enlarged space will create additional capacity and elevate the guest experience at one of the world’s busiest airport terminals.
The announcement comes as demand for airport lounges continues to grow. According to the Airport Experience Study 2026 (AX26), published by Airport Dimensions, lounge usage among regular travellers has risen to a record 52% globally. In the UK, lounge usage among frequent flyers increased by 16% year-on-year, marking the strongest growth recorded by the study.
The research highlights shifting traveller expectations, with demand growing for premium facilities including private spaces, reserved seating, wellness services and showers. Lounge users also rate the overall lounge experience significantly higher than airport restaurants, reinforcing the increasingly important role lounges play in the modern travel journey.
More Space, More Comfort, More Choice
The redesigned lounge has been created with one goal in mind: giving guests a more spacious, comfortable and enjoyable pre-flight experience. Rather than only increasing capacity, the investment focuses on creating a more generous, premium environment, with improved comfort, flexibility and personal space throughout the lounge.
While the lounge footprint has expanded significantly, the increase in seating has been deliberately kept modest, ensuring more room to relax, work or unwind before departure. The additional space allows for a greater variety of seating styles and environments, including a substantial increase in dedicated solo-traveller seating, giving guests more choice and privacy. Combined with power access at 95% of seats, the enhanced lounge has been designed to meet the needs of today’s traveller, whether catching up on emails, enjoying a quiet moment, or preparing for the journey ahead.
- More room to relax: the lounge footprint has increased by 28%, expanding from 435 sq m (4,680 sq ft) to 557 sq m (5,995 sq ft) to create a more open and comfortable environment for guests.
- Greater comfort: while seating has increased only modestly from 139 to 152 seats, guests will benefit from approximately 16% more space per person, reflecting a deliberate focus on comfort rather than capacity.
“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 New Design Vision
The new No1 Lounge at Terminal 5 reimagines the warmth and character of a British country home through a contemporary lens. Conceived as a calm retreat within the terminal, the design balances intimacy with openness, offering the comfort of home with the polish of a world-class destination.
Four guiding principles run through the scheme:
- A confident, contemporary expression of British character without pastiche
- Residential comfort, with warm, tactile spaces that feel domestic rather than airport-like
- Timeless craft, using natural materials such as stone, oak, linen and brass chosen to age gracefully
- A modern elegance that is refined and understated while remaining welcoming
A Sequence of Rooms
Rather than a single open floor, the lounge is arranged as a sequence of distinct, named rooms, allowing guests to choose the setting that suits them.
Guests arrive through The Reception, a calm chequerboard-floored entrance with fluted brass screens. From there, the plan opens into The Lounge and The Library, offering quiet, curated seating; The Pantry, an all-day servery featuring handmade green tile and open timber dressers; The Orangery, a feature bar set beneath a mature tree against full-height glazing with views over the apron; and The Greenhouse, which runs the length of the lounge.
Herringbone timber floors, slatted timber ceilings, arched openings, antique brass detailing and generous planting carry through the entire space.
Responsible Design
Developed within the existing airport building, the lounge combines a thoughtful refurbishment approach with a range of sustainability features, including an all-electric kitchen, LED lighting throughout and selected furnishings made from recycled-content fabrics.
The new flagship lounge will become No1 Lounges’ premier UK location, strengthening the brand’s presence at Heathrow and reinforcing its position as a leader in premium airport hospitality.
