Qantas travellers arriving into London on the daily QF1 flight from Sydney will have the option for a 'soft landing' at the new-look Arrivals Lounge of partner American Airlines.

Now open after a five-month makeover, the AA Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3 has been upgraded with 29 new private showers and dressing areas, along with a valet pressing service to help you avoid that "I've just arrived on a 22 hour flight from Australia" look.

American is also spruiking better meals at the lounge cafe, with a "full breakfast and lunch buffet" including several made-to-order dishes, smoothies and real (espresso) coffee plus a 'Grab-n-Go station' if you're hungry but in a hurry.

It all sounds like a pretty good pit-stop before jumping onto the the Heathrow Express to make your way into the city.

Never popped in for a quick post-flight visit before? Try it on your next flight: the lounge is located to the right of the Terminal 3 Customs Hall, upstairs on Level 2, and opens from 5am to 3.30pm.

This makes it a little tight for the inbound QF9 from Melbourne, given its 2.15pm touchdown at London, but you may still have time for a shower and a civilised cuppa and what's promised as "quintessential afternoon tea" before heading to the city.

Access to the American Airlines Arrivals Lounge

To enjoy the American Airlines Arrivals Lounge, Qantas travellers will need to have flown in on a first class or business class ticket; likewise for Cathay Pacific passengers.

Note however that there's no access for Platinum-grade Qantas Frequent Flyer members or Marco Polo Diamond members in economy or premium economy on those flights.

British Airways flights into T3 include lounge access as part of the deal for passengers in first or business class, as well as those with Oneworld Emerald or British Airways Premier status.

American Airlines' own flyers get through the door if they've made the trans-Atlantic hop in first or business class, or have Oneworld Emerald or AAdvantage Executive Platinum status.

However, no traveller – regardless of airline, travel class or frequent flyer status – can bring a guest into the lounge.

Also on the London lounge front: Cathay Pacific's new first class and business class lounges at Heathrow T3 are slated to open in September, with a dedicated Qantas lounge to follow in March 2017.

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