Originally Posted by xliioper

Metro area size is almost certainly a better measure than city populations as the land areas encompassed by cities can vary dramatically. MSP metro area population is about 3.9 million vs 2.4 - 2.5 million for IND and CMH metros. DTW metro population is about 5.3 million and doesn't have an AC.

Originally Posted by ashill

Yeah.

If you go by Metropolitan Statistical Area, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA, at 13th, is the largest without an Admirals Club. If you exclude that as part of LA (obviously not much demand for a club at ONT), then Detroit, Seattle-Tacoma, and Minneapolis-St Paul are the next three; all don't have ACs (though SEA has Alaska Lounges, which hopefully AA will choose to retain access to). Same answer if you go by combined statistical area: Detroit, Seattle, and Minneapolis-St Paul are the three largest without Admirals Clubs. Not a coincidence, I think, that two of the three are fortress hubs of Northwest/Delta (with service on the competitor that dramatically exceeds the natural O&D demand, as does any large hub) and the third is a partner-for-now hub with a contract lounge Admirals Club members can use.

Originally Posted by mvoight

I think that is a far better measurement than overall city size.