Originally Posted by
cova
Aer Lingus is likely paying BA for that extended time and the food will likely change to what Aer Lingus wants to offer. If also could be that Aer Lingus won't let AA passengers in.. Isn't Aer Lingus still StarA? They have an affiliation with OW - but not a true member.
Back about 6-7 years ago - when CX had a nonstop flight from IAD-HKG departing at 1:30am - BA would not let the CX passengers in until 10pm - after the lounge had cleared of the BA passengers. Even though BA and CX are both full OW members. The Food switched to the food that CX was paying for - just sandwiches. I was pretty insistent as an OW Emerald that I am supposed to be let in and they did. However, since I did not have a BA boarding pass - I was refused the dining service that BA provided for First and Business. Only had access to the snacks that BA served. Others traveling with me could not get in. Story tells you that BA is very strick about who is paying for the lounge food.
Aer Lingus is an IAG-owned airline (same as BA) and is part of the AA, BA, Iberia, Finnair Atlantic Joint Venture.
It's a BA lounge - Aer Lingus doesn't get to set or limit access polices.
I don't know what an anecdote from IAD 7 years ago has to do with opening hours and food at BA's PHL lounge today, but there are posts in this thread with more recent experience from PHL...
there's plenty of examples where lounge access and specific enhanced dining with the lounge have different policies...nothing new or remarkable there. Just like an long-haul F ticket on any OneWorld carrier would get you access to AA's Flagship Lounge, but not necessarily AA's Flagship First Dining, within that lounge.