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Guide to AA Flagship First Dining Qualifications, Access & Related

Old Jun 8, 2015, 10:27 am
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Last edit by: Prospero
AA Flagship First Dining includes JFK, DFW, LAX, and MIA. The LAX facility is currently closed

This thread is for discussion of the new Flagship First Dining spaces within Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge complexes

Link to Flagship First Dining Terms and Conditions page on aa.com

Access
A customer with a same-day ticket on American or a oneworld airline in the first class cabin on a qualifying international or transcontinental flight automatically has access to Flagship First Dining, located within certain select Flagship Lounges.

Qualifying transcontinental flights
Three-class non-stop flights between: New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
JFK and San Francisco (SFO)
LAX and Miami (MIA) If operating with three classes sold
LAX and BOS if operating with three classes sold

Guest access
Flagship First International: 1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
Flagship First Transcontinental: No guests

Editor's note: There is no access stated or implied on arrival from qualifying flights, but in cases of AA qualifying Flagship First it is granted. There is no access stated or implied based on oneworld or AAdvantage status, including Concierge Key, though the latter may access with a pass. These access rules are quite different from the new Flagship Lounge; Flagship First Dining is not a oneworld lounge and is exempt from oneworld lounge access rules, much like the LHR Concorde Room.

Concierge Key and Executive Platinum / oneworld Emeralds not flying in three class Flagship First as defined above do not have Flagship First Dining.
(Concierge Key may use passes.)

Locations
Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) Terminal D Concourse level between gates D21 and D22; inside the Flagship Lounge.
Open daily 12:00 to 20:30

New York (JFK) Terminal 8 On the mezzanine level after the Concourse B security checkpoint; inside the Flagship Lounge.
Open daily 04:30 to 00:15

Los Angeles (LAX) Terminal 4 Concourse level across from gate 40.
Currently closed

Miami (MIA) Concourse D Near gate D30.
Open daily 13:00 to 22:30

Link to current thread on announced changes including new Flagship Lounges for MCO, MIA; new Flagship Lounges for MIA, PHL; Flagship Dining for DFW, JFK, LAX, MIA; renovation of FL, AC.

Background: The DFW international terminal was previously Terminal A. The "A" Admirals Club offered both an Arrivals Lounge and a Flagship Lounge within; these were closed after 11 September 2001. When the decision to make terminal D the new in terminal, AA chose to build an expanded Admirals Club and omit both Flagship and Arrivals lounges in "D". That has been rectified with the opening of DFW D Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining. There is an AMEX Centurion lounge, and there are The Lounge at DFW and several contract lounges serving several airlines' passengers in "D".
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Guide to AA Flagship First Dining Qualifications, Access & Related

Old Jan 18, 2023, 10:57 am
  #1  
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Arrow Guide to AA Flagship First Dining Qualifications, Access & Related

When I was at FFD at JFK several months ago before the changes with BA, the hostess just inside the door to FFD made a point of saying that I as welcome to come back as often as I wished. When I used FFD at DFW shortly after the program started, the agent at the FL desk that took me over to FFD asked if I wanted you go in right away or wait a bit - which I interpreted as single access. I see the DFW FFD does not open until noon, but my flight is much later in the day. Anyone know if you can re-enter FFD at DFW mulitple times the same day? I'd prefer the upgraded bubbly - whatever it may be - but not 6 hours of it!!!
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Old Jan 18, 2023, 2:53 pm
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Originally Posted by Madison Guy
When I was at FFD at JFK several months ago before the changes with BA, the hostess just inside the door to FFD made a point of saying that I as welcome to come back as often as I wished. When I used FFD at DFW shortly after the program started, the agent at the FL desk that took me over to FFD asked if I wanted you go in right away or wait a bit - which I interpreted as single access. I see the DFW FFD does not open until noon, but my flight is much later in the day. Anyone know if you can re-enter FFD at DFW mulitple times the same day? I'd prefer the upgraded bubbly - whatever it may be - but not 6 hours of it!!!
100% yes come and go as much as you want. In particular the DFW crew are very chill , usually younger staff as a host/@ the door.

Regardless though no issue.
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Old Jan 18, 2023, 4:13 pm
  #3  
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Originally Posted by happiest_at_40000
100% yes come and go as much as you want. In particular the DFW crew are very chill , usually younger staff as a host/@ the door.

Regardless though no issue.
Good to know! Many thanks!
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Old Jan 20, 2023, 2:33 pm
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When I asked why they insist on escorting you in at DFW, they said they were having "a lot" of people sell or give away their invitations. I do find it a (minor) annoyance to need to go back to the desk to be escorted in.
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Old Jan 20, 2023, 6:42 pm
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Originally Posted by ikwia
When I asked why they insist on escorting you in at DFW, they said they were having "a lot" of people sell or give away their invitations. I do find it a (minor) annoyance to need to go back to the desk to be escorted in.
Wait I can get some money for these invitations....

Thats interesting to hear, wouldnt have thought ppl are selling them. Maybe it was a one or two time thing and the agent is embellishing.

Once the host, servers etc meet you/know you're good to go to be inside I have never had any problems coming and going. To make phone calls, use the restroom, just walk around, etc or hours later when coming back to the terminal. I dont even bother asking for another invitation.

Last edited by happiest_at_40000; Jan 21, 2023 at 6:26 pm
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Old Jan 21, 2023, 5:57 pm
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Originally Posted by happiest_at_40000
Thats interesting to hear, wouldnt have thought ppl are selling them. Maybe it was a one or two time thing and the agent is embellishing.
I agree...I can't imagine this was very widespread. However, I do know that pre-COVID (and maybe still now) they would have a LOT of people try to come in to FFD at DFW without qualifying (maybe 8-10 per hour) so there is apparently demand.
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Old Jan 21, 2023, 6:53 pm
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Originally Posted by ikwia
I agree...I can't imagine this was very widespread. However, I do know that pre-COVID (and maybe still now) they would have a LOT of people try to come in to FFD at DFW without qualifying (maybe 8-10 per hour) so there is apparently demand.
Def see that happen a lot but for me its always JFK. For some reason its may more prevalent there in my experience.
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Old Mar 18, 2023, 11:18 am
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What is the rule about FFD for kids in economy traveling w parents in F JFK-SFO?
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Old Mar 18, 2023, 11:27 am
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Originally Posted by nologic
What is the rule about FFD for kids in economy traveling w parents in F JFK-SFO?
Flagship First Dining at JFK is no more; it has been replaced by the AA/BA Chelsea Lounge. Except for Concierge Key members, no guests are allowed for passengers traveling on transcontinental flights.

Last edited by TWA884; Mar 18, 2023 at 11:33 am
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Old Mar 18, 2023, 11:43 am
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Originally Posted by TWA884
Flagship First Dining at JFK is no more; it has been replaced by the AA/BA Chelsea Lounge. Except for Concierge Key members, no guests are allowed for passengers traveling on transcontinental flights.
isnt that basically the same w LPGS and upscale dinner menu?

slsi, is AA serving LPGS in first jfk-Sfo?
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Old Mar 18, 2023, 12:42 pm
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Originally Posted by nologic
slsi, is AA serving LPGS in first jfk-Sfo?
Absolutely not, but we all wish lol
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Old Mar 18, 2023, 2:00 pm
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Originally Posted by nologic
isn’t that basically the same w LPGS and upscale dinner menu?

slsi, is AA serving LPGS in first jfk-Sfo?
The reviews in the New Flagship Check-in, Lounges open at JFK thread are mixed.

Here is an example:
Originally Posted by PremiumSeat
I visited the new Chelsea Lounge twice last week. The ambiance of the lounge is posh and refined despite having no natural light (the Champagne bar is particularly nice with its lovely crystal chandelier). As others have noted, despite being listed on (most of) the wine lists, they did not have Krug during either of my visits. I did enjoy the Ruinart blanc de blanc and Moet Rose Imperial during my first visit, and the “off menu” Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle and Laurent Perrier Rose during my second visit. The sit down dining area is nice and the wait staff is friendly, albeit the pace of service could use some work (diners were walking to the bar to get drinks because it was taking so long for the wait staff to bring them). The food was good, but not as good as FFD IMO. The Caesar salad and mushroom toast were okay at best; the tomato soup was tasty; and the lamb tagine was excellent (on my first visit; no sauce on my second visit which left it lacking). Overall, once it finds its rhythm, I think the Chelsea Lounge will be a fine spot for a premium ground experience, but I still miss FFD (it’s also a lot busier than FFD).
Last week, from JFK to LAX it was Charles de Cazanove Brut Tradition Pere et Fils Tete de Cuvee.
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Old Mar 18, 2023, 2:58 pm
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Originally Posted by TWA884
The reviews in the New Flagship Check-in, Lounges open at JFK thread are mixed.

Here is an example:Last week, from JFK to LAX it was Charles de Cazanove Brut Tradition Pere et Fils Tete de Cuvee.
Sounds so fancy but what are we talking about, $18.50 at Total Wine? Just a guess.
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Old Mar 18, 2023, 3:02 pm
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Originally Posted by nologic
isnt that basically the same w LPGS and upscale dinner menu?

slsi, is AA serving LPGS in first jfk-Sfo?
Only in your dreams
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Old Mar 21, 2023, 8:18 pm
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Any recent menu pics for MIA ?
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