American Airlines Reopening More Flagship Lounges

The lack of passengers and the need for updated policies caused airlines to close most of their lounges at the start of the Pandemic. Premium international lounges have remained closed due to lack of demand.

The process of reopening the Flagship Lounges began in the fall of 2021. We now know when American's Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining at DFW will reopen.

American Flagship Lounges reopening

Three Flagship Lounges and two Flagship First Dining facilities have been reopened by American Airlines.

• In New York (JFK), the Flagship Lounge reopened as of September 14, 2021, and Flagship First Dining reopened as of September 16, 2021
• In Miami (MIA), the Flagship Lounge reopened as of September 28, 2021, and Flagship First Dining reopened as of September 30, 2021
• In Los Angeles (LAX), the Flagship Lounge reopened as of January 26, 2022

Flagship Lounges were supposed to reopen last fall, but that hasn't happened. We now know when the remaining facilities will reopen.

It is anyone's guess when Flagship First Dining at LAX will reopen, since the Flagship Lounge has not yet opened. It sounds like American may not reopen it, especially since it's cutting its transpacific hub.

Flagship Lounge James Beard Foundation chefs

Rarely do I find that airlines with celebrity chefs have better food. I would rather airlines spend money on improving food, rather than spending money on having well known chefs endorse what is being served in a lounge.

The James Beard Foundation is partnering with the airline to bring celebrated chefs to the lounges. Each location has a different local chef with offerings that are exclusive to their hometown lounge. You can expect that.

• Chef Tiffany Derry at the DFW lounge
• Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja at the JFK lounge
• Chef Timon Balloo at the MIA lounge
• Chef Sarah Grueneberg at the ORD lounge
• Chef Brandon Kida at the LAX lounge

Who can access Flagship Lounges?

What are the Flagship Lounge access restrictions? Passengers can visit Flagship Lounges.

• Concierge Key members, and non-American AAdvantage and non-Alaska Mileage Plan oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members, on any American or oneworld flight
• Those on eligible business and first class itineraries
• AAdvantage Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Mileage Plan MVP Gold, and Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K members on eligible itineraries
• Access can be purchased on any itinerary for $150

Flagship Lounges can be accessed via first and business class itineraries. The following are included.

• Between the US and Asia
• Between the US and Australia
• Between the US and Europe
• Between the US and New Zealand
• Between the US and South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela)
• Between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
• Between New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO)
• Between New York (JFK) and Orange County (SNA)
• Between Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA)
• Between Dallas (DFW) and Honolulu (HNL)
• Between Dallas (DFW) and Kona (KOA)
• Between Dallas (DFW) and Maui (OGG)
• Between Chicago (ORD) and Honolulu (HNL)
• Between Charlotte (CLT) and Honolulu (HNL)

Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and South America are all eligible destinations for Flagship Lounge access for Alaska Mileage Plan and American AAdvantage elites not traveling in first and business class.

American Arrivals Lounge London has reopened

This is a reminder that the American Arrivals Lounge at London Heathrow reopened on January 31, 2022. You just have to go up a level to get to the lounge in Terminal 3. The lounge is open from 6:30AM until 2PM and offers a variety of services.

The American Arrivals Lounge can be accessed by passengers arriving the same day.

• Those in first & business class
• oneworld Emerald members, including Executive Platinum, Concierge Key, and British Airways Premier members

The UK lifted travel restrictions for people with vaccine.

The gradual reopening of Flagship Lounges is continuing. Flagship First Dining at JFK and MIA are now open. The Arrivals Lounge LHR is open.

Flagship First Dining at DFW will reopen as of March 3, while the Flagship Lounge at DFW will reopen as of March 2. The Flagship Lounge at ORD should reopen this spring, but there are no plans to reopen the Flagship First Dining at LAX.

What do you think about American's plan to reopen Flagship Lounges?