Singapore Airlines bringing new SilverKris Lounge to London Heathrow in summer 2024

Singapore Airlines has announced plans for a £3.5 million refresh of its SilverKris Lounge at London Heathrow Airport, which should open in summer 2024.  

This is part of an initiative to upgrade the airline’s overseas SilverKris Lounges, announced in its Q4 financial results last year. We’ve already seen the renovated lounge in Hong Kong reopen (though reports say it’s very similar to the previous facility), with Perth set to follow suit in Q1 2024 (having been delayed from its end-2023 target).

“Having continuously operated from the UK’s capital for over 50 years, London is an important premium market for Singapore Airlines. The renovation of the SilverKris Lounge at London Heathrow demonstrates our commitment to London and will deliver an enhanced experience to our customers once reopened.”

-GM UK & Ireland, Singapore Airlines

The London Heathrow SilverKris Lounge was last renovated in 2015 and is starting to show its age, so this is welcome news for passengers.

Singapore Airlines’ Heathrow SilverKris Lounge renovation

In preparation for the renovations, the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge will close from 8 February 2024, with completion scheduled for “later in the summer”. 

Upon reopening, passengers can look forward to a new-look facility with:

• 16% more seating space
• An increased capacity of 242 guests (versus 208 currently)
• “Enhanced facilities”

The design will continue with the refreshed “Home Away from Home” concept by ONG&ONG that draws elements from the new flagship SilverKris Lounge in Singapore. This typically means separate spaces for working, dining and relaxing, with the look and feel of a posh living room.

As a reminder, here’s the other facilities that visitors to the London Heathrow SilverKris Lounge currently enjoy:

It’s safe to assume that popular features like the tended bar and a la carte dining (for Suites and First Class passengers) will remain, and the shower suites will get a similar refresh too. You can read a recent review of the SilverKris Lounge here. 

Alternative lounge arrangements

During the renovation period, Singapore Airlines First Class, Business Class, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members will be directed to the United Club Lounge at Terminal 2B. This lounge is located opposite Gate B46, and just a short walk from the existing SilverKris Lounge. Opening hours are 5 a.m to 10 p.m daily. 

United Clubs in the USA aren’t much to get excited about (think trail mix and lukewarm cold cuts), but thankfully the one in London Heathrow is an exception.

This lounge serves up a very good buffet spread throughout the day, with an English breakfast and afternoon tea lending some local flavour. The drinks list features champagne, and an extensive range of made-to-order cocktails and wines (is this even United?).

And if it’s showers you’re after, the shower suites are suitably modern, with bath amenities from Gilchrist & Soames’ Zero% collection. 

Singapore Airlines passengers with lounge privileges are of course at liberty to visit the other Star Alliance lounges at Heathrow Terminal 2, but my opinion is that the United Club is much better.

If you must lounge hop, the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge is probably the best of the rest, given its closer proximity to the SilverKris Lounge and the fact it offers champagne and showers. Don’t bother visiting the Lufthansa lounges, as these require a much longer walk, their F&B offerings are more in line with a domestic lounge, and they lack showers. 

Who gets access to the SilverKris Lounge?

As a reminder, here’s the access rules for Singapore Airlines’ overseas SilverKris Lounges.

Do note that when departing from Singapore, KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Velocity Platinum/Gold members travelling in Premium Economy or Economy Class only get access to the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge.

Business Class section

• Business Class passengers on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flights
• Premium Economy or Economy Class passengers on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flights with PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold or Star Gold status
• Premium Economy or Economy Class passengers on Singapore Airlines flights with Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum or Gold status

First Class section (where available)

• First Class/Suites passengers on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flights
• Business, Premium Economy or Economy Class passengers on Singapore Airlines with Solitaire PPS Club status

Guest policy

Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold, Star Gold and Velocity Platinum/Gold members may bring one guest into the lounge, provided he/she is departing on a same flight. 

Conclusion

Singapore Airlines passengers flying from London Heathrow this summer can look forward to a new lounge experience, with the SilverKris Lounge going under the knife from early February.

During the renovation period, passengers will be diverted to the United Club, which arguably offers a much better experience than the existing SilverKris Lounge anyway (no doubt some were already doing this!).

We have yet to see any renders of how the new lounge will look, so let’s hope this will be a worthy facility for one of SIA’s most important routes.