The Avro Lounge — Local services in Leeds

The service at this lounge, particularly at reception, is absolutely shocking.

Immediately upon arrival I encountered a problem, as the receptionist had absolutely no idea how to allow me access to the loungue using the QR code provided to me via the airline, and in the end, it took about 15 minutes for her to figure it out and grant me access, all because she did not know how to enter this type of booking into the system.

This in and of itself would not be a problem; systems change, routines are updated, and so on and so forth, and I am more than happy to wait while these problems are worked out.

What is a problem however, is how the receptionist deemed fit to conduct herself during this process. Myself and my partner were treat like peasents; naught but dirt on the sole of her shoe. Here are some highlights of that encounter:

She implied that me and my partner were scummy people simply trying to sneak our way into the lounge free of charge. She happily declared that she would only grant us access to the lounge if their weren't higher paying customers she could enter instead. She time and time again, and very rudely, implied that the ongoing issue (which proved to be the consequence of her own ignorance) was our fault, and that we must have done something incorrectly. Worst of all, she declared all of this loudly and proudly, and encouraged the long line forming behind us to join in with her classist tirade.

Eventually however, the foul reincarnation of Hyacinth Bucket before us was pushed aside by another member of staff, one blessed with the apparently most illusive skill of computer literacy, and we were finally admited to the lounge.

And what waited for us after that ordeal I hear you cry? Was it a facility so rife with luxury and oppulence that the great stress of entry remained as naught but an unpleasent fever dream?

Well, if your idea of luxury and oppulence is a limited range of breakfast stuff's befitting of a medieval roadside inn, then yes! If however, you are a creature of the 21st century, then the small selection of burnt and flavourless options will likely prove dissapointing.

What I find most perplexing of all, is that judging by the other reviews submitted these issues are hardly new. How does such a facility remain profitable when it has such horrendous offerings? Is it because of people such as myself, who assume a certain level of quality with all airport lounges, so do not bother to check the reviews until it is too late?

Whatever the reason, I emplore you to give this place a miss. It simply is...

UPDATE: I have to change my review because the lounge at LBA that once was (The Yorkshire Lounge, but they've just changed the name on Maps) is no more, and although it never had high reviews, I had zero complaints about that lounge, gave it 5 stars. I'll save you some time by not repeating what everyone has said already (it's all 1000% correct).

What I don't hear anyone mention however is the icing on the cake.... There are in fact TWO LOUNGES, accessible from the same lobby/staff. The Avro Lounge is what everyone is talking about and the staff will act like only one exists, by casually getting people to pay for what patrons think would be at least the same lounge as before.. and instead you're taken into a hospital waiting room.

I walked back out to the lobby 5 minutes after arriving and it was not until I told staff I wanted my money back (which they didn't do), when they told me a more typical self serve lounge and bar (The Six Eight One) are thru the other door connected to the lobby, and I'd be welcome to access it at an additional £20 per person!

THAT is the real scam here (but also, what the heck are they thinking, such an own goal)... get people into an insufferable situation, to afterward upsell them to the lounge experience they should've gotten from the start.

LEEDS BRADFORD AIRPORT, shut down this embarrassment called Avro Lounge and make The Six Eight One your only lounge.

--------Old Review---------

I'm currently sat in this lounge (8am on a Thursday). I read all the recent reviews and decided beforehand that I wouldn't use it. Getting to the airport, it was really busy and so the discount I have for the lounge was a lot more appealing considering I'd pay the same to in the packed bars and restaurants.

I'm so happy that I took the leap. Based on the pictures I've seen, I think they've just completed a refurb. No more stained seats and dirty tables. Still not a huge selection of food but was fresh and warm; matter of fact the serving dishes were sometimes empty because they were bringing it out of the kitchen in smaller quantities to keep it fresh.

Is it a 5 star lounge? No but my croissant was warm, bacon well cooked, and they had my favorite spirit. In my opinion, previous reviews represent a recent but part version of the lounge. I would highly recommend a visit, offers every bit of comfort...

Appalled at the level of service and response from LBA Customer Service. Booked the family in to the lounge for 4.45am on Saturday 19th October. Advised the staff the only food available was hash browns and beans to which she replied "there only two of us on". She was clearly stretched and agitated. I get this, it happens, traffic, sickness etc. etc. We promptly left the lounge to dine in the main restaurants. When I requested a refund the the following was the response from LBA: "hank you for contacting Leeds Bradford Airport.

I am sorry to read of your recent experience of using our Lounge at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) as clearly, a poor experience is not the lasting impression we wish our customers to have. Here at LBA, we take all our customer feedback seriously and aim to improve our service standards from such feedback.

Our lounges are operated by a third party provider called Elior UK, we are working hard in conjunction with Elior to improve the customer service delivery in the lounges.

Elior regularly review the food and drink offering available, purchasing a lounge entry is an overall lounge experience and the food and drink offering is complimentary. I'm sorry to hear that the range offered was not to your taste and standard.

Our policy on Lounges is to offer a full refund only if the Lounge is unused, for example - due to long waits in security, but not to refund if the Lounge is used even for a short time.

I am sorry that on this occasion we did not meet your expectations and hope that despite the events of your visit, we may have the opportunity to restore your faith in our airport in the future, when I am confident your experience will be a rather better one.

If there is anything else we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact customer care and we will be more than happy to help. ​

Kind Regards, Karen

LBA Customer Care Team"

We DID NOT USE THE LOUNGE! What don' you...