American has been in the process of renovating several of its lounges. That’s great especially when the clubs are going to be enlarged or offer better seating. But while the renovations take place it’s an inconvenience. In some locations to make up for it American has offered premium liquor. That makes customers happy.
In Miami the E concourse lounge has been opened up so that it’s available to all club members, not only those departing from E gates. That lounge serves carriers like British Airways and Iberia so offers better food and drink.
Miami E Concourse Premium Lounge Liquor
They’ve been in the process of renovating the A concourse lounge at Dallas Fort-Worth. It’s my favorite club in Dallas, largely because of the stone aesthetic walls and because as the old international club (prior to the opening of Dallas Fort Worth’s D concourse) it had a Flagship lounge with its own restrooms that was more or less abandoned. It became a ‘secret seating area’ that was quiet and private.
That seating area was closed as part of the renovations. The lounge’s gym was closed too. But the lounge remained semi-open while work continued. The bar and dining area was finished and the associated restrooms. So customers were using a part-new and part-old lounge.
However the place is a zoo since only part of it is open. And American is shifting strategy for the renovation. Like at LAX they’re going to temporarily close down the club entirely to complete renovations more quickly.
According to American this closure will take place Monday, October 30. Clubs remain open on the B, C, and D concourses.
In the D concourse I’d tend to visit the American Express Centurion lounge, but afternoons on the C concourse I’ll show up for the made-to-order guacamole.
Guacamole bar at the New York JFK Midfield Admirals Club
American has been good at sending out emails to customers in advance of travel about lounge closures and partial-closures, and that will continue for this lounge. The lounge is expected to fully re-open in mid-2018.
I’ll be going through that terminal on Sunday the 29th so it might be interesting to see what it’s like right before the shutdown. I also like this lounge at DFW. Hopefully it will be nicer when they are done.
A lounge has large shower rooms, too. Very nice
While there is no Admiral’s lounge at LAX terminal four, there is a small room next to gate 44 where people who would be eligible to use the lounge can get some snacks, and hot and cold beverages (non alcoholic only). There are a couple of costumer service agents in there, and even four moderately comfy chairs. It is hardly a lounge, but it is an OK place to grab that last cup of coffee before boarding if you connection is too short to walk over to terminal 5.
DFW Terminal A lounge is already shut down. ASBESTOS was found/suspected, according to one of the staff at Terminal D lounge, who informed me last night.
The DFW D concourse Centurian lounge is almost certain to disappoint. Last Sunday, but only by chance, I snagged the last seat and was able to eat. The line for the lavatory defeated me however, so I moved over to the Admirals Club.
The problem at DFW is that, while the transit is reliable, its still a time-consuming trek between concourses.