JIMBOLIGUY

This would appear to be where part of the old FS lounge was located. It looks like it is behind the agents when you come off the elevator.

jcatman

Did the lead pic have to be a lentil cake?

FobbyFlyer

So let me get this straight, as an EXP, flying internationally out of JFK in Y or J, I will be denied entry to a presumably sub-par(unless proven otherwise) "Flagship Dining" experience. Yet flying from or through LAX, HKG or SYD, I can continue to enjoy better lounges and better food for free? Did I get that right AA? Care to explain this? Have you been to The Pier or the QF F lounges in LAX or SYD? You know all EXPs are welcome there right? #YetAnotherEXPdeval

Fraser

It is the old FL space, well, a portion of it, assuming the rendering is dimensionally accurate. The remainder of the space is no doubt being used for the new Admirals Club space which makes sense given the old AC space was swallowed up by the main area of the new FL.

The entrance into this appears to be from the FL itself as you can see a podium for checking eligibility in the rendering.

lds89

As an EXP you're not welcome to the CCR or dining at JFK or LHR either. They're setting up something similar to BA - you have to be flying F to access that piece. You still get access to the rest of the upgraded lounge. I don't view this as a deval given we never even had it to begin with in AA hub lounges.

FobbyFlyer

I'm aware, hence why I left them out, plus BA is not a good example for AA to be modeling their lounges after. T7 is a dump and the CCR in LHR are separate dedicated lounges if I'm not mistaken? (vs lounge within a lounge) And I don't see others raving about the CCR in general.
My point is, AA should have looked at QF or CX instead.
True, can't take away something you never had, but they had an opportunity to improve or match their OW partners. Sure, we'll give you table service dining (but only if you fly F!!). So no deval, how about more of a slap to the face then?

justforfun

The devaluation will come when they allow J pax into the Flagship Lounge and you won't be able to find a seat a peak times.

BWISkyGuy

At IAD, BA's F Dining is a lounge-within-a-lounge. They merged the lounges for business and first, but kept a private dining room (and technically a tiny "bar" area) dedicated to F with table service. From the start of this plan, BA's IAD lounge is what AA's announcement reminded me of exactly.

I've dined there, it seems to work pretty well for BA.

Granted, I'm not EXP this year, but I don't feel like this should be a slap in the face to anyone, but YMMV. AA seems to be borrowing ideas from different partners in different areas, and BA's premium lounge model is probably more realistic to BA and AA's financial and competitive realities.

Coveting access to the one tiny corner you don't have access to doesn't always work out like you imagine, either. Anyone remember Frasier's Door Jam episode?

brewdog11

This sounds a lot like the BA Lounge in YYZ. There is a J side and an F side to the lounge, and both parts have their respective pre-flight dining areas. The J/Club dining area is a buffet with some cooked-to-order options, and the F dining area is table service.

You need to be flying in J or F to access the respective dining area. Status won't help you (unless there is a friendly dragon willing to bend the rules).

It's not fun when you're flying in Y or Premium Economy, but it seems to work for BA and their premium pax on the route. IMHO, I bet it helps keep quality up. At least the bar in the F lounge isn't sealed off...

flyerCO

Where does it say EXP in Y/W won't get FS Dining access?

JonNYC

On AA.com

flyerCO

So we get it now, but not in the future? Doesn't make a lot of sense.

flyerCO

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ss-lounges.jsp

Seems to indicate otherwise. Note the section about dining at DFW. Is there somewhere else that EXP are listed as specifically excluded?

JonNYC

The current thing is "Flagship Dining" and is quite limited.

Coming, is "Flagship First Dining" and it's for first class (on applicable flights) passengers.

JonNYC

That page is of no relevance.

this page has the new system:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ge-updates.jsp