The actual terms and conditions don't mention the words departing nor arrival, but the Flagship Lounge page on AA does state this:

"Get access if you’re departing, arriving or connecting to any same-day flight"

On my way to BA silver so I was really hoping that was accurate.

My hunch is that the statement is specific to AA elites or those on qualifying flights. Per the OW lounge finder page (underline is mine):

I’d give it a go and see what happens. Last week was the second time in ~20 visits to the FL between non-AA OWS/E where I was told this (the other being the LAX OW business lounge).

Is it just me, or have the quality and variety of food offerings really declined at the FSLs? Feel like they used to offer more. Now it's not much better than the Admirals Club.

At least for MIA/DFW/JFK I would agree they have declined, but they are still well above AC. For lunch/dinner there is almost always fish + either Beef, Pork or Chicken. Plus the sides and good spread of salads and cold cuts.

I def think MIA still has some great food, especially their live cooking offerings, and is significantly better than any AC spread. Also fwiw the JFK Greenwich lounge also has a la carte pub food (brats, truffle fries, etc) in the former FFD space of the buffet isn’t looking good.

How could I forget about the live cooking... had beef wellington in Miami a few weeks ago. Excellent.
100% on the JFK pub food. Between the lounges lots of options. Soho buffet + a la cart is generally pretty good as well.

Due to a recent change (by AA) in our upcoming BOS-JFK-DEL (Flagship) itn., we (2 adults and 2 kids, ages 10 and 13) now have 8 hours at JFK. Just wanted to confirm that to access the FS lounge, we would need to buy our kids passes (~$300 total). Thanks very much!

Business class on JFK-DEL for sure gets you access to the Greenwich Lounge at JFK (the old Flagship Lounge) and the Admirals Club at BOS.

If all 4 of you are in business then you won't have to buy the kids passes. But if your kids are not in business then yes, you would need to buy them passes. Or if you have oneworld Sapphire or above status then you can also bring 1 guest free of charge.

Thanks for the quick response. Sadly, no business tickets. I'm AA Plat so I can bring my spouse as a guest, I believe. Good to know re:kids, will keep that as an option to pass the time.

Ah gotcha, you said Flaghsip so I assumed business class. But yea as a PLT you can access Greenwich plus one guest.

My mistake, sorry about that, and thanks for clarifying. Will look into accessing Greenwich then - appreciate it!

What hours do they do the live cooking? I was in MIA FL yesterday around 3 pm and not impressed. I was in ORD FL a couple of weeks ago from about 6pm - 10pm and didn't see any live cooking, and the buffet only had chicken and some other things I dind't really care for. No beef.

I’m usually in the MIA FL late afternoon/early evening like 5/6-7/8 and it’s always been there. Ussaly either a prime rib or a beef Wellington.

Edit: and I should be there Monday between 5-6ish so I can report back then if nobody else does

Isn't the live cooking staion at ORD on the left-hand side of the back wall (as you look at it) next to a service door? I thought I saw a woman making omlets there a few weeks ago in the morning before the am flight to LHR.