American Airlines is planning to open two new lounges – including the more upscale Flagship Lounge – at one of its major hubs on the East Coast.
Sometime next year, American will announce both Admirals Club and the Flagship Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), the Fort Worth-based airline revealed Friday.
The announcement is a win for travelers navigating the hub, a busy connecting hub for Americans that includes several transatlantic flights.
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New waiting room details
So far, details about the two new Philly lounges are pretty sparse. Both will be located at terminal A-West, a spokesman said Friday.
And the lounges will have a warmer atmosphere — complete with fireplaces — that we’ve seen in some newer club that the Americans have launched.
The render the Americans shared above is the only one released so far.
However, here’s a look at one of the newer Admirals Clubs in its portfolio, opened last fall at Denver International Airport (DEN) and features a newer aesthetic being used in new and renovated concourses.
“The opening of the new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club will continue to create a harmonious design experience across all newly opened lounges that customers will immediately recognize,” American said in a statement Friday. news”.
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Increased Philly lounge options
American already operates lounges at its Philly hub, but the lack of a Flagship Lounge has so far been a gap in its network – especially considering the transatlantic schedule the carrier itself line out of Philadelphia, as shown in the map below from aviation analytics company Cirium.
American currently has Flagship Lounges at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Miami International Airport (MIA) .
Technically, there is no Flagship Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, but the Chelsea Lounge that American shares with joint venture partner British Airways essentially operates like one. .
More upscale than standard Admirals Clubs, the Flagship Lounge network features more extensive dining options and other upscale touches such as a specialty cocktail bar and specialty wine table.
You can access the Flagship Lounge by flying with a Flagship First ticket or a Flagship Business ticket on certain flights—generally international or certain key transcontinental routes (usually Boeing 777 flights). -300ER or Airbus A321T operated).
Members with high-level elite status can also access the lounge on qualifying flights.
American currently operates four Philly Admirals Clubs, including one at A West – the terminal where these two new lounges will be built.
Look forward
When asked by TPG, a spokesperson could not provide a more specific timeline for when these two new lounges might open – just a tentative 2025 date.
Annual Admirals Club memberships start at $850 for first-time, non-elite members, but discounts are available for AAdvantage elite and renewing members.
You can also access the lounge with a premium American co-branded credit card, city® / Advantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see exchange rates and fees), has an annual fee of $595.
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