The American Express Centurion lounge at LAX wasn’t open long, thanks to the pandemic and need for repairs. But the exact nature and timeline of these repairs has remained a mystery until now, as first reported by Thrifty Traveler.
Public documents before LA’s airport authority reveal both the nature of the issue, and the likely timeline for re-opening.
- The problem with the Centurion lounge at LAX involves the HVAC system, which needs to be replaced. It was “allowing jet fumes into the lounge.”
- The replacement is expected to take approximately six months, which would put us into the fall.
This disclosure comes from a document recommending temporary lease of 4,401 square feet of space to American Express in the Tom Bradley terminal for a temporary lounge.
To provide service to their customers while the Centurion Lounge HVAC system is replaced, AMEX requested temporary use of replacement space in TBIT. Los Angeles World Airports staff reviewed the request and recommends providing AMEX a six-month lease for a vacant 4,401 square foot lounge in TBIT at level 6 while the Centurion Lounge is closed due to the construction. The space will be provided in as is/where is condition..
American Express told Thrifty Traveler,
The Centurion Lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport is closed for building repairs due to a damaged HVAC system. We hope to resolve this issue as soon as possible and reopen the lounge in the coming months.
The temporary lounge space lease would run only through September 30 but could be terminated early – or extended – by the airport.
Jet fuel fumes with your morning coffee is what some live for
What a fail. Would it be the HVAC contractor who is on the hook for this bill?
Why only being fixed now? The lounge was closed for a couple years.
The lounge agent there last week said they were hopefully opening this summer. I believe this lease is already in effect. The grab and go is now on the sixth floor (I think near the one world lounge).
At least they have a backup…..
As soon as you set foot on the curb at LAX or any airport on earth, YOU are breathing jet fuel fumes.
AMEX is full of shit.
“What a fail. Would it be the HVAC contractor who is on the hook for this bill?”
Likely the engineer.
Looks like it will be setup in the abandoned Eithad lounge, which is not that old and is a nice temp lounge until they get things fixed.
And, Flagship First Dining at LAX remains closed because . . . .?
Tim Dunn: jet fumes and napalm.
MEP type equipment break often after they have been unused for a period (run a sink in a vacant house. Leaks can happen). No surprise at all. Architect only specifies the equipment. The subcontractor or vendor is on the hook, depending on warranty & maintenance. Otherwise, the airport pays. Since Amex leases, they are only inconvenienced & not responsible for central (shared) HVAC maintenance. I’m sure the airport must find a suitable temp space per the lease agreement & cover certain relocation costs. Again, no surprise or even a reason to blame anyone.