Travel Planning: Fall in Asia
Review: LAX Star Alliance Lounge
Review: Singapore Airlines Suites Class LAX - NRT
Review: Park Hyatt Tokyo
Recap: Time in Tokyo
Review: HND JAL First Class Lounge
Review: JAL Business Class HND - GMP
Review: IP Boutique Hotel Seoul
Recap: Time in Seoul
Review: ICN Cathay Pacific Lounge
Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class ICN - HKG
Review: Hyatt Regency Tsim Sha Tsui
Recap: Time in Hong Kong
Review: HKG Cathay Pacific “The Wing” First Class Lounge
Review: Cathay Pacific First Class HKG - SFO


After so much planning and anticipation, we are back from our trip to Asia and it's finally time to write about the experience! Due to flight availability, we flew to Tokyo out of LAX instead of our home airport (SFO), so we were able to check out the Star Alliance Lounge there. Our LAX > NRT flight was via Singapore Suites (more on that to come), so we were afforded entrance to both the Star Alliance First Class and Business Class lounges.

We grabbed seats in the first class lounge, which is connected to the business class lounge by a locked door, and both are located on the fourth floor of the Tom Bradley International terminal. Because there aren't many first class passengers, the first class lounge is very small, with a one-room seating and dining area, and has far fewer buffet choices than the business class section. Despite it's size, it was quiet and comfortable, so we were happy to sit in the first class area and walk over to the business class side when we wanted more snack variety. 

As I mentioned, the food selection was quite small due to the lack of people in the lounge, but there were tiny portions of fruits, cheeses, crackers, and chocolates, as well as a nice selection of wines, beers, champagne, liquor, and non-alcoholic juices, sodas, teas and coffees. The first class lounge also offers an a la carte menu to order from in case you wanted a more substantial meal prior to your flight, but I knew that a feast was awaiting me on my Singapore Airlines flight, so I passed. 

The business class side of the lounge was much larger and had a large buffet selection, which was serving salads, sandwiches and wraps, soup, fruits, desserts, and had a build your own noodle bar. There was also a full-service bar, various seating areas, a media room, shower suites, and both an indoor and outdoor terrace. The outdoor terrace was quite impressive and was not something you usually see at an airport. There was extensive seating, a water feature, several fire pits, and a bar out there as well.

Weekend Write-Up: London, Part I
Weekend Write-Up: London, Part II
Review: InterContinental London Westminster
Review: LHR BA Galleries First Lounge

Our flight home from London was via British Airways, but unfortunately, we were flying coach. Luckily, Chris' American Airlines Executive Platinum status translates to Oneworld Emerald, which allows him and a guest (that's me!) to use British Airways First Class, Business Class or frequent flyer lounges. We had a late afternoon flight, so once we arrived at Heathrow and made it through Fast Track security, we headed to the British Airways Galleries First Lounge in the South concourse of Terminal 5. 

Upon arrival at the lounge, you will see the First lounge on your left and the Club lounge on your right. The Galleries First lounge is absolutely massive. There were no less than two dedicated champagne bars (serve yourself, of course), one other bar area, a full service dining area, a buffet dining area, a large business center, multiple seating areas, and even a terrace. It was around 3PM on a Monday when we arrived and the place was surprisingly quite packed, but there was plenty of seating throughout the lounge.

City Guide: Vancouver, British Columbia
Review: Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver
Review: Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver
Review: YVR Maple Leaf Lounge

When we visited Vancouver a few months ago, the hotels were having awesome deals but of course, we couldn't find a good deal on flight prices. There also didn't happen to be any coach award seats either, so we bit the bullet and booked a couple of first class awards on Air Canada. One of the benefits of that was getting to check out the Maple Leaf Lounge at Vancouver International Airport on our way home. 

There are three Maple Leaf Lounges at the Vancouver airport. One in the international terminal, one trans-border, and one in the domestic terminal. We were flying back to the US, so we visited the trans-border lounge.

The Maple Leaf Lounge was on the second floor overlooking the rest of the terminal. There was plenty of seating, a television, a business center with a few computers, and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the runway.