Over the summer American Airlines opened its first ‘grab ‘n go’ lounge space in Charlotte by gate A1 called “Provisions by Admirals Club.”
It’s a small area with coffee, packaged snacks and refrigerators with fresh snacks for takeaway, and reservations assistance. Access is the same as for a standard Admiral’s Club.
I usually avoid Charlotte when I can. I prefer Dallas connections, because it’s drivable home to Austin in a pinch. Chicago O’Hare at least gets me a Tortas Frontera sandwich. Even Philadelphia now has a decent Admirals Club and a great Chase lounge. Charlotte has rocking chairs, and the main Admirals Club looks the ‘90s called wanting Tempe’s furniture liquidators back.
But I was really keen to see the new space in person. And as it happened this week I was both arriving and departing from low A gates.
The space is not as nice as United’s Club Fly. But it is staffed with an agent and you can get a complimentary (can of) water which is a leg up on the Admirals Club.
Design of the small space is nice, though. And everyone was super-friendly explaining the concept, since for most people it was their first visit – there was a lot of expectations-setting.
There’s no wifi (you use the airport wifi), no power outlets (they don’t expect you to stay long and power drops are expensive), and there’s no restrooms. That’s down the hall in the terminal.
There are a few long tables. At one end of the space is packaged snacks, and at the opposite end coffee and tea. They could use a barista bar – that would elevate the experience.
In the middle of the space they have the fridges, and they’re staffed. There’s a menu and you’re given what you ask for. While they have to pay for staff, that solves for both hygiene (people taking things and putting them back after handling) and for gluttony. You have to ask for what you want, so you don’t ask for as much as you’d take if nobody was watching.
So.. I didn’t eat anything here. Not even for science (sharing with y’all). The fresh items looked good enough. I’m sure you could eat them. They weren’t anything I’d ever crave. In a pinch, it’s food, and it’ll do the trick… better than you’d get at, like, the Gas ‘n Sip. You don’t have to go hungry and that’s great! But I was planning to eat when I landed and it was food I was actually looking forward to.
What I learned talking to staff is that there’s going to be another Provisions on the E concourse. (Update: while staff reported plans for an E Concourse provisions, American tells me this is not in their plans which is too bad.) American desperately needs something down in E, where passengers on regional jets are generally banished. There’s not really a space for much more there, and this concept fits perfectly (although I always wanted something like the old Eagle’s Nest club at LAX).
@Ken A — You were there recently right?! @George N Romey, better than a Wawa, eh?
Arrived at gate A2 today just as my flight was boarding. Didn’t have time for a regular lounge and this pick-up spot was a nice surprise. The salmon-and-salad meal was good, and it was great to be able to get it at 8:53 a.m. Breakfast is so boring in the USA!
(Reloading the page is the best way to get rid of the ad overlays on this site without acknowledging them, right? Or is there a better method?)
Seth
I’ve been through here a couple times, and I actually really love it. The smoked salmon kale and the wrap are both good. They’ve had bottled waters (not cans) when I’ve been through, and the employee working offered to let me take a couple of meals, even asking if I was traveling with someone.
I’m not a big fan of the food in the admiral’s clubs. I’m over the hummus and asian garlic chicken. I like this food better, and I love that it’s encouraged for you to grab and go, versus frowned upon if you take food out of the regular club. I aim for tight connections, not long club sits.
My last visit, I grabbed a Dr. Pepper, bottled water, wrap, bag of chips, and a fig bar. That’d be at least $30 in the airport. I like being able to see the monetary value of a visit, helps me justify the Executive Card for lounge access. The employees very much had a “take whatever you want” attitude. It didn’t feel stingy at all.
A coffee bar would be nice — but for now, this is for sure a value-add for club membership. Hoping they bring them to more airports.
Cool concept. Scheduled to be at CLT later this week, I will look to peer in from the outside. (And rock in some rocking chairs @1990)
@L737 — Oh yes! Rock on! (How was DL yesterday? Comfort+? Biscoff’d?)
This is fantastic – nice to grab a quick bite when connecting or to take on a flight when flying in economy (or in first on a regional jet). AA does cold salmon with salad/grains/whatever pretty well! Those salads/sandwiches could easily run you $15-20 each in an airport.
@1990 — it was an elevated and thoughtful experience, thanks! Main but yes, got my special edition 100 year celebration Biscoff, woohoo! Currently replying using UA Starlink, which is very cool. Got flights scheduled on each of the big 3 this week
@Seth – Haven’t checked, but I suspect running a browser with Javascript disabled will avoid the overlays and such.
@L737 — Wow! The trifecta! (And apparently all is well with TSA and ATC so far; let’s hope it stays that way.) Safe travels!
There’s no wifi (you use the airport wifi), no power outlets (they don’t expect you to stay long and power drops are expensive), and there’s no restrooms. That’s down the hall in the terminal.
Please please save us from yourself. If you are going to be CEO of American Airlines basic grammar is probably a first step. X3 in this alone. Did your intern write this?
I haven’t felt great all day, haven’t eaten and the pictures you provided (thanks) look good to me:-) Too bad about the lack of outlets though.
@Tom — How could… you NOT-SEE… that grammar isn’t the most important thing here; it’s information; it’s commentary; it’s inside-jokes; it’s the sense of community… Again, how could… you NOT-SEE.
That prepackaged sandwich looks legitimately delicious.
Note that there is no rule against visiting one of the lounges and then picking up a meal from Provisions to eat on the plane.
@Tom Be better.
And if he can’t ‘be better,’ then, as Melania says, ‘Be Best!’
Have you seen the rest of the CLT airport?? Everything there is absolute crap except for the SkyClub.
@Larry — So, what you’re saying is… CLT rubbed you the wrong way? Usually it’s the other way around…
(For real, though, it’s getting better… yes, the new SkyClub, and also that new-ish PP lounge, The Club, and renovations planned for the Admirals Clubs, besides.. they still got those rocking chairs!!)
As bad as the ACs are at CL you’d be better to grab some food and head to a quiet place in A or upstairs.
@1990 that PP The Club is crap too. Take a stroll down the E concourse. I’ve been to nicer bus terminals.
@1990: You asked, @Ken A — You were there recently right?!” Yes. Twice. On September 25, 2025, I visited the American Airlines Provisions lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) while connecting in CLT. My first visit was memorable, as the fire alarms were blaring and flashing throughout Terminal A. When I inquired with several airport employees about whether passengers should evacuate during an activated fire alarm, many were unsure of the procedure. One airline employee advised that passengers should remain in the secured area of the airport instead of using the nearest fire exit. Using the illuminated fire exits during an alarm could lead passengers into the Air Operations Area (AOA).
During my first visit at 9:35 AM, I enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast salad with salmon. I also received a complimentary can of carbonated water, which typically costs $3.00 at a standard Admirals Club. Other food options included a garden salad, a Mediterranean salad, a yogurt berry parfait with granola, or a fruit salad. You can request more than one item if you’d like.
While the Provisions lounge does not have a push-button cappuccino machine, self-serve coffee is available in paper to-go containers. Complimentary canned sodas are also available. I discovered a power strip located underneath the table where the salads are stored in the refrigerator. It’s easy to identify the power strip; follow the black cord coming from the cooler. By plugging into this power strip, you can charge your cell phone while it is laying on the floor underneath the table. Due to the activated fire alarm, as a firefighter/paramedic, for safety, I cut my visit short. I quickly left the Provisions by American Airlines terminal A to go to a different terminal in the CLT airport. I boarded AA2747 from CLT to DFW and enjoyed the salmon salad during the flight.
My second visit to the Provisions Lounge took place on October 3, 2025, at 2:12 PM. I selected a delectable Chipotle Turkey Sub accompanied by a Garden Salad. Other options included a roasted Mediterranean cauliflower bowl, a salmon and kale salad, or a charcuterie snack box. After my meal, I connected to my American Airlines flight AA460 from CLT to DFW. If you find yourself connecting through CLT, I highly recommend visiting the Provisions Lounge by American Airlines, conveniently located in Terminal A, near gate A1.
@George N Romey — You’re missing a ‘T’… as in, ‘grab (some food at) the CLT!’
@Larry — There you go again… talkin’ about ‘crap’ and PP… get your mind outta the gutter (and into the CLT!)
@Ken A — ‘Scrumptious,’ indeed! Never stop, sir. You remain atop the Mount Olympus of commentators here.
Is it just me of does it tick you off they have to take an apparently nice turkey sandwhich and ruin it (for me) with whatever white goop they put on it? How about condiments on the side?
Why do airlines or their services have to be precisely the same? Why not have some variety? Why not have some offerings or products that differentiate one business from another?
Tried to go on a recent morning departure out of A. It was closed until 7AM. When I went to see at 7:00AM it was still roped off and I had to make a beeline for the departure boarding call. Must do better, as my teachers would scribble on my report card…
CLT is my home airport and I have used it several times since it opened – I really like the concept!
I visited this location one week after they opened. I appreciated the grab-and-go option since I live 10 minutes from the airport and I’m a just-in-time flyer. I enjoyed the options, but would appreciate water in a bottle. Canned water isn’t as easy to manage while traveling. Overall, I enjoyed the space and the smoked salmon salad.