American Airlines has (4) Flagship business class lounges open so far at New York JFK, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, and LAX. A new lounge is supposed to open next year at Dallas Fort-Worth and eventually we should see new lounges at London Heathrow and Philadelphia.
These are big improvements over the regular clubs American, Delta, and United offer though a notch below United’s Polaris business class lounges (although Flagship First Dining at JFK, Miami and LAX offers a better food and beverage experience).
Flagship Lounge New York JFK
Flagship Lounge New York JFK
They get busy though. If you’re flying international business or first on American or another oneworld airline you have access, or business or first Los Angeles – New York JFK. If you’re a Concierge Key member, an AAdvantage Platinum or above flying internationally, or a oneworld mid-tier elite you have access.
In other words, pretty much anyone that used to use the Admirals Club for reasons other than being a member or using a day pass gets to use the Flagship lounges. The Miami lounge is a gigantic 29,000 square feet. Nonetheless New York JFK and Miami certainly get busy at peak evening departure times.
Effective September 1 the New York JFK lounge will have 35% more space because they’re converting the attached B concourse Admirals club to become part of the Flagship lounge. This adds 7000 square feet to the existing 19,541 square foot Flagship lounge footprint.
Admirals Club B Concourse New York JFK
That means the only Admirals Club at JFK will be the C concourse lounge. However most domestic flights — which is what most Admirals Club passengers are flying — depart out of the satellite C concourse and as a result the B club which was renovated last summer doesn’t ever seem busy.
Having fewer options and less total space is a disappointment for Admirals Club members and a win for Flagship lounge guests. However net-net it’s probably the more efficient use of the space. Plus we have the Bobby Van’s steakhouse across from the Flagship lounge as a Priority Pass restaurant now.
I’ve said before that Flagship visitors at peak times should eat in the Flagship lounge and sit in the adjacent B Admirals Club (or the Bridge area of Flagship, which will get busier once customers are more aware of it after this change). So while it’s against my personal interests as someone who doesn’t generally have Flagship Lounge access, I do think this is a good move. Now to focus on earning mid-tier status with a oneworld airline for Flagship lounge access!
So if you are a Citi AA Executive cardholder, you are essentially losing a lounge at JFK?
@Rob correct, though odds are it’s the lounge that was less convenient to your gate unless you’re flying international coach without mid-tier AA/oneworld status or higher
Ah…right, thanks for the explanation. At first I was thinking, darn I use that one a couple times a year, but you’re right it’s usually when I’m flying international business and get access anyway.
Of course this continues the shame of us non-transcons ExPlats flying first class throughout the great flyover parts of the country. We get no access to Flagship, no seatback entertainment, no reliable power, and so on. At least the FAs are doing a better job offering PDBs now I will say
So those who pay for Lounge access and fly Econ 1x a year international will get the boot. Does not sound customer friendly at all!