Swarovski chandeliers, a champagne bar, spa treatments and private cabanas aren’t normally what come to mind when I think of an airport terminal.  However that’s what premium passengers of British Airways’ (BA) will be able to enjoy at Terminal 5 in London beginning next month.

The $8.8 billion state of the art terminal opens on March 27, 2008 and British Airways’ lounge complex, known as ‘Galleries’ is the largest and most luxurious in the world. It is for the exclusive use of up to 2,500 British Airways premium passengers and top tier frequent flyer members.

British Airways’ premium passengers will be able to enjoy 15 minutes of ‘heaven on earth’ in Terminal 5 before they fly.  The airline’s new spa partner Elemis has developed an exclusive range of treatments to revive or relax which include facials, foot, head, shoulder and back massages.

The Elemis Travel Spa will offer “Flying Facials” - four types of customized flying facials to combat the dehydrating effects of flying:  the Flight Rehydrator, the S.O.S. Skin Saver, the Skin Thirst Quencher and the Anti-Age Wrinkle Control. 

British Airways’ frequent flyers can also cool down with a glass of bubbly at the Gold bar featuring intricate gold leafing or shop in any one of 100 boutiques and restaurants including Harrods, Prada, Tiffany & Co. and Mulberry.  

April 7th update:  So far Terminal 5 is off to a rocky start. Since its opening on March 27, hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands of bags lost. Once it can handle the basics smoothly and efficiently, maybe passengers will begin to notice their luxurious surroundings. 

Links: Terminal 5