I recently published a guide about how to access American Admirals Clubs. In this post I wanted to take a look at American Flagship Lounges, as they have totally different features and access requirements (separately I’ve written about American Flagship First Dining, which is yet another concept).
In this post:
What are American Flagship Lounges?
While Admirals Clubs are primarily American Airlines’ membership clubs, Flagship Lounges are American’s premium international lounges. These lounges are intended to offer a differentiated experience for those traveling internationally and/or in premium markets.
The logic is that international travelers generally expect a bit more from the airport experience, and American wants to compete there when it comes to its ground product. That’s especially true when you consider the long haul joint ventures we see in place with airlines like British Airways and Japan Airlines.
In addition to generally nice (but sterile) design, you can expect that American Flagship Lounges feature more elevated dining options, with a variety of hot and cold food, as well as a more premium selection of complimentary drinks, from champagne to a wide variety of liquor.
American Flagship Lounge locations & hours
American Airlines currently has five Flagship Lounges, located in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. It’s also expected that a Flagship Lounge will open in Philadelphia eventually, though it doesn’t seem like much progress has been made there since the start of the pandemic.
Let’s go over the very basics of each of these lounges, including their locations, hours, and square feet.
American Flagship Lounge Chicago (ORD)
The American Flagship Lounge Chicago is open daily from 5AM until 9PM, and it’s located in Terminal 3, where concourses H & K meet. The lounge is spacious, at 25,000 square feet.
American Flagship Lounge Dallas (DFW)
The American Flagship Lounge Dallas is open daily from 5AM until 10:15PM, and it’s located in Terminal D, between gates D21 and D22. The lounge is around 23,000 square feet, so it’s also a great size.
American Flagship Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)
The American Flagship Lounge Los Angeles is open daily from 4:30AM until 1AM, and it’s located in Terminal 4, near gate 40. At around 15,000 square feet, it’s the smallest Flagship Lounge in the system. Still, it doesn’t usually get too busy, given how much smaller American’s long haul network has gotten out of Los Angeles.
American Flagship Lounge Miami (MIA)
The American Flagship Lounge Miami is open daily from 5:30AM until 11:00PM, and it’s located in Concourse D, near gate 30. At around 29,000 square feet, it’s the largest Flagship Lounge in the system.
Greenwich Lounge New York (JFK)
Technically this is no longer a Flagship Lounge, but for all practical purposes it is. American & British Airways have co-located in Terminal 8 at JFK, so the Flagship Lounge has been rebranded as the Greenwich Lounge. However, in terms of food offerings and access requirements, it’s essentially a Flagship Lounge.
The Greenwich Lounge New York is open daily from 4:45AM until 10:30PM, and it’s located in Terminal 8, near gate 12. The lounge is around 27,000 square feet, making it the second biggest lounge in the network.
American Flagship Lounge access rules
So, who can access American Flagship Lounges? You can access them either based on your elite status, based on the type of ticket you’re on, or you can even buy access under certain circumstances. These are also oneworld lounges for the purposes of reciprocal access. Let’s break it down by entry method.
oneworld Sapphire & Emerald Flagship Lounge access
If you have oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status, you’re potentially eligible to access Flagship Lounges, and can bring one guest with you. However, the type of itinerary on which you can access these lounges varies based on what program you have status with.
If you earn oneworld elite status through a program other than Alaska Mileage Plan or American AAdvantge (a non-US program), you can access Flagship Lounges whenever flying a oneworld airline the same day, even if it’s entirely domestic.
Meanwhile if you earn oneworld elite status through Alaska Mileage Plan or American AAdvantage, you can only access Flagship Lounges when traveling same day in the following regions:
- 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)
You can access Flagship Lounges even during connections not at your international gateway, as long as it’s same day travel.
oneworld first & business class Flagship Lounge access
You can access American Flagship Lounges when traveling same day on a first or business class ticket on a oneworld airline in an eligible market. Business class passengers can’t bring any guests, while first class passengers can bring one guest.
What are eligible itineraries for the purposes of Flagship Lounge access? Qualifying business and first class itineraries include the following:
- 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 Boston (BOS) — only when flying on A321T
- Between Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA) — only when flying on wide body
- Between Dallas (DFW) and Honolulu (HNL)
- Between Dallas (DFW) and Kona (KOA)
- Between Dallas (DFW) and Maui (OGG)
- Between Chicago (ORD) and Honolulu (HNL)
Concierge Key member Flagship Lounge access
Concierge Key is American’s invitation-only elite status, and those members can access Flagship Lounges when flying same day on a oneworld flight, even if it’s not international. So for these purposes, having Concierge Key is almost like having oneworld Sapphire or Emerald with a foreign frequent flyer program.
Concierge Key members have a further benefit, as they can bring up to two guests, or immediate family members (spouse and children under 18).
Buy Flagship Lounge access for $150
If traveling the same day on an American Airlines or oneworld flight, you can purchase Flagship Lounge access for $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage miles per person. You’d have to be spending a lot of time there for this to be worth it, in my opinion.
Bottom line
American Flagship Lounges are excellent international business class lounges, among the best you’ll find in the United States. At least compared to United Polaris Lounges, Flagship Lounges have pretty easy access requirements. They’re accessible by select premium cabin passengers, as well as elite members. It’s always a treat to visit these lounges when traveling on an eligible flight.
Hopefully the above clears up any questions about accessing Flagship Lounges, though if I missed anything, please let me know.
What has your experience been with American Flagship Lounges?
Last week, I flew First Class from Mexico City to DFW and had a continuation FC Flight to SFO, But was not allowed to use the Lounge? why? I was told Mexico City to USA Flights do not qualify.huh ! ended up using Captital One Lounge.
I am EP with AA. Does a Flight from Miami to St. Thomas qualify me for Flagship Lounge access?
I’m flying American Airlines first class or equivalent to Barcelona Spain. American does not have its own club there. What am I allowed to use in place of it? American customer service did not know the answer if you can believe it.
There is a lounge in Barcelona that is available to AA business class and certain elites
Good morning,
Can the MIA Flagship Lounge be used as an Arrivals Lounge after a
Flagship First or Business class flight LAX-MIA?
Our connecting flight would not depart MIA until 1000 the next day.
Is the LAX Flagship even open???? Was told no -- use Admirals -- about 1 month ago.
Also, I would doubt you can always get access with the one-day pass. Several times I've not been able to get in Admirals at various airports using one of the one-days in my account due to various excuses.
Ben. Flying to Maui from lax via DFW in business class. Would that grant me access in both LAX and DFW?
I am a Platinum Pro member, do I get access to Flagship Lounge if I am flying business from Miami to Curacao?
"It's SO MIAMI" the ad phrase is so true.
Always find amusing they keep listing the Venezuela exclusion after many years of not flying that market.
I've only visited the FL at ORD and MIA yet, but several times.. And always found the ORD food offerings to be orders of magnitude better than MIA (just excluding when MIA have Arepas at the live station LOL!, they really research their markets!).
Warning to travelers on mixed itineraries: If you are inbound in a OW carrier and outbound on B6, you may be denied FL access. Last week I was inbound HND-LAX in JAL F cabin, connecting on the same itinerary to B6. After being denied access to the Qantas First and OW lounges in Terminal B, I was nearly also denied at the FL in T4. Despite holding EP (OW Emerald) status, Admirals Club membership, and...
Warning to travelers on mixed itineraries: If you are inbound in a OW carrier and outbound on B6, you may be denied FL access. Last week I was inbound HND-LAX in JAL F cabin, connecting on the same itinerary to B6. After being denied access to the Qantas First and OW lounges in Terminal B, I was nearly also denied at the FL in T4. Despite holding EP (OW Emerald) status, Admirals Club membership, and flying inbound international first class, the agent downstairs told me all that mattered was my outbound ticket on B6 (not eligible). I went upstairs and was about to turn right into the AC, but was able to reason with the very kind agent upstairs who ultimately directed us left into the FL. I still don’t know if the “rules” legitimize my access but do think it’s absurd for any OW lounge to deny access to elite members arriving on a OW carrier in first class with a connecting ticket, regardless of the outbound carrier.
T/C does say The Admirals Club is available to arriving FC/Biz flights but does not say arriving flights of Flagship...
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/flagship-lounge.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club-access.jsp
Surprised CLT, probably Americans 2nd busiest airport, doesnt have a Flagship Lounge. How much international traffic is AA still running through ORD compared to CLT?
Does anyone know of travel from HNL-DFW will allow for lounge access in DFW if connecting to another destination?
He clearly states it above, but yes, ONLY if your in Business on the HNL leg.
Hi Ben, one update you probably should add is that besides Greenwich there are separate Soho (flagship business emerald) and Chelsea (flaghip international first) lounges at JFK. As a platinum pro flying international business I was able to go to Soho which is way nicer than the old flagship (now Greenwich). I went recently before flying Quatar to Male and it was amazing!
Been to three Flagship lounges so far: JFK, DFW and MIA.
I was a little hesitant if they would allow me to access the lounge, since I flew in by Qatar and JAL business and was taking AA Y to MCO - but access to Flagship lounge was a breeze. In fact, the staff ushered me to Flagship lounge when I asked for Admirals lounge, unknowingly.
Food wise, I loved DFW the most...
Been to three Flagship lounges so far: JFK, DFW and MIA.
I was a little hesitant if they would allow me to access the lounge, since I flew in by Qatar and JAL business and was taking AA Y to MCO - but access to Flagship lounge was a breeze. In fact, the staff ushered me to Flagship lounge when I asked for Admirals lounge, unknowingly.
Food wise, I loved DFW the most (American and continental), while MIA was okay (Latin fusion?). I love Latin cuisine, but this wasn't anything close.
The MIA F-lounge was amazing in other aspects, space and for shower facilities. Although I flew by Qsuites, I needed that shower so much after a 16-hour long flight. The shower room and shower space were huge, and surprisingly it had double-walled shower (!!)
Isn't MAO excluded as well?
I have been embarrassed so many times over the LAX - Miami route as with First Class tickets, it used to be only when flying in a 3 cabin aircraft. And have been made to feel a fool numerous times with the check in personnel in Miami. On more than once occasion I even pulled up the web site terminology.....only to be told to "take a seat and I will check into it"....and now you...
I have been embarrassed so many times over the LAX - Miami route as with First Class tickets, it used to be only when flying in a 3 cabin aircraft. And have been made to feel a fool numerous times with the check in personnel in Miami. On more than once occasion I even pulled up the web site terminology.....only to be told to "take a seat and I will check into it"....and now you are saying that with regards to the MIA - LAX itinerary - that it is now based on "wide body" aircraft? That may simplify things a bit.....
Does this also qualify for Flagship First check-in? As we have been able to take advantage of this at LAX where it is nice....Miami? not so much.....
In general, MIA staff are awful. I attempted to use the curbside check-in last month in FC and was passed over 5 times for single women and then was told 3 times that "I have to tip them cash ahead of time to begin the process" and reminded I could check my bags inside for free. Very rude and lazy curb team there.
I live in Lima and used to use the flagship lounges in DFW and MIA all the time, however, on the last trip, I was told Lima was booted out of the program and I was instructed to go to the regular lounge with all the other peasants.
While there are four flavors of lounge at JFK T8, it's worth noting that PPs and EPs can use the Soho Lounge irrespective of cabin class IF they are on an international itinerary or on a Flagship transcon flight.
Agreed with the LIM comment. Always was excluded as part of the South America, and only southern cone countries were allowed access (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and potentially Paraguay)
Which one has the most epic shower? There have been times where I'd seriously consider paying $150 for a shower...
MIA
Got anything in the works for all of us losing our Safar Flyer status next month?
Having domestic flagship access for the last year has been quite nice. The best lounge duo in the US is DFW Flagship with a swing through next door at Cap One for some to-go snacks and beverages.
I think Peru is also excluded for US-based Emeralds. I flew LAX-MIA-LIM last year as an Emerald and had the weird experience of being able to use the Qantas First lounge in LAX (due to their lounges allowing all of South America) and only the Admirals Club in Miami.
I'm glad you noted that the Philadelphia flagship lounge is supposed to open "eventually" in what was formerly the Admiral's Club in Terminal A West. That lounge has been closed/under construction for years now, and I have not seen any construction activity there in a long time. Between the lack of a flagship lounge (or even an Admirals' Club) in the "international" terminal and the closure of the TSA Pre-Check lane at Terminal A, PHL...
I'm glad you noted that the Philadelphia flagship lounge is supposed to open "eventually" in what was formerly the Admiral's Club in Terminal A West. That lounge has been closed/under construction for years now, and I have not seen any construction activity there in a long time. Between the lack of a flagship lounge (or even an Admirals' Club) in the "international" terminal and the closure of the TSA Pre-Check lane at Terminal A, PHL is truly the worst international departure gateway in AA's system.
Evan, sparing the details, after reviewing the profitability of its routes, AA has realized it's a better domestic airline than an international airline. As such, it is rethinking its European strategy. How Philadelphia fits into that strategy is uncertain. Its Flagship Lounge is on hold.
Watch them add it to Charlotte now instead of PHL. But seriously, have had pretty disappointing experiences with returning from Europe through PHL in the last 2 years.
I bought roundtrip "flagship" business class tickets for April from Philadelphia to Madrid, so was hoping the Flagship Lounge would actually open by then. The B/C connector lounge is so crowded with all the international and other Terminal A passengers added to the Terminal B & C passengers. It is really looking worn down.
All of South America was included until about 2 years ago. I wish Ben would dig into why this is.