Lounge Review: DFW American Airlines Flagship Lounge
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Opened in 2019 in Terminal D, the DFW Flagship lounge is an impressive space which makes the most of the floor-to-ceiling windows along its length. Interior design is the trademark (although somewhat clinical and now a little dated) AA palette which first debuted in the mid-2010s, superseded last year with the latest concept Admirals Club opening in DCA.
The entrance to the lounge is shared with that for the third party Capital One lounge and is located between Gates D21 and D22, with a small unmanned lobby at gate level and lifts (elevators) to the lounge itself on the level above. Turning right, reception is directly ahead and the lounge opens up to the right as a long and fairly thin rectangle.
The lounge is loosely broken into a series of rooms, with the first being the main dining area. Two self-serve bars are available, along with three buffet stations featuring the usual decent Flagship selection of hot and cold options, including one hot option freshly plated by staff on request (wild mushrooms orecchiette pasta when I visited in November last year).
Multiple seating options are available in this area, most being dining tables for two although there are a few armchairs under the feature light immediately upon entering the lounge (which was too busy for me to photograph), and some communal dining tables towards the rear of the dining area. A low working table is situated by the windows across from the dining area.
Beyond, the lounge narrows with washrooms off to the right followed by a small alcove seating area with armchairs. Flagship First Dining (FFD) is up next, just visible through obscured windows. When the JFK Flagship lounge closed last year (as a result of the merger of the lounges with BA), DFW became one of only two locations in the AA network to offer FFD - if my dining experience in MIA last September is any measure, FFD at DFW is a treat too, although sadly I wasn't eligible for access on this occasion - entry is restricted to passengers in Flagship First, Flagship Business Plus and BA First.
The entire run of windows along the left hand side of the lounge is filled with groups of four armchairs, all with ample power sockets within reach of each seat and super airfield views - provision of power and fast wifi is something that AA does consistently well in its lounges on the ground, whether they are Admirals Clubs or Flagship lounges.
Beyond FFD is a guest services area with showers and more washrooms tucked behind. A secondary drinks and snack station is located here too (although both the soft drinks machine and coffee machine were out of service during my visit). A high-top work table including one iMac and a wireless printer can be found opposite, by the window.
The final 'room' of the lounge features the largest concentration of armchair seating in the lounge, below another feature light installation. You'll find some high-walled seats here offering a little more privacy than others. There's a quiet room (too bright) and TV room off to either side, and another guest services area at the far end, although this was unmanned during my visit.
Whilst not luxurious, AA's Flagship lounges are well thought through, well maintained, functional and comfortable spaces. Their DFW facility is no exception.