Feb 16, 2017, 2:34 pm
Last edit by: seawolf
NOTE: Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining closed March 20, 2020. They will begin reopening in September of 2021, as discussed in this thread (link). This thread will reboot as the Premium facilities begin reopening and as AA announces any changes including access rules.
Beginning in spring 2017, AA began introducing their completely renovated or new, larger Flagship® Lounges – completely redesigned for qualifying First and Business Class customers.
Rules for expanded access to Flagship Lounges were published June 2017.
Features
As well, Flagship Lounge access policies changed.
American Airlines has expanded access to the Flagship® Lounges (but reduced access to Flagship® Dining within the Flagship® Lounges):
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges (not to be confused with Flagship® Dining), eligible customers are:
1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
*Qualifying international flights are those between the U.S. and Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela) only. Qualifying transcontinental flights are defined as non-stop between New York Kennedy (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). All other international destinations are excluded from this benefit. Departing flight must be the same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day).
**AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members traveling solely on North American itineraries (other than flights mentioned immediately above) will not qualify. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
: An exception usually exists for First and Business passengers on AA Flagship (three class aircraft actually sold as three classes), such as the seasonal MIA-LAX 77W and LAX-BOS A321T.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive, complimentary access to Flagship® First Dining. Qualifying international passengers may bring one guest; qualifying domestic passengers are not allowed any guests.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class and Flagship® Business Class passengers traveling on 3-cabin transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX/SFO are allowed entry to the Flagship Lounge both upon departure and upon arrival (e.g. A passenger traveling business class nonstop from JFK to LAX will have access to the JFK Lounge and the LAX Lounge). However, passengers on this itinerary will not be allowed to bring in a guest if they are not also in the Flagship® cabin
Link to relevant "Flagship Lounge" aa.com page
Link to 2017 and 2018 posts archived from this thread.
Beginning in spring 2017, AA began introducing their completely renovated or new, larger Flagship® Lounges – completely redesigned for qualifying First and Business Class customers.
Rules for expanded access to Flagship Lounges were published June 2017.
Features
- More room for you to spread out and relax
- Larger buffet with premium, fresh meals
- Premium beer, wine and spirits
- Updated interiors with additional power and privacy options
- More staff in each lounge for the highest level of service
As well, Flagship Lounge access policies changed.
American Airlines has expanded access to the Flagship® Lounges (but reduced access to Flagship® Dining within the Flagship® Lounges):
Expanded access
In the new Flagship® Lounges (not to be confused with Flagship® Dining), eligible customers are:
- First and Business Class customers (on qualifying international flights or 3-class transcontinental markets*)
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum (including Concierge Key), Platinum Pro and Platinum members in any cabin (on qualifying international flights*)
- oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire members in any cabin (on all qualifying flights**)
Qualifying transcontinental flights
3-class non-stop flights between:
- New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
- JFK and San Francisco (SFO)
- JFK and Orange County (SNA)
- LAX and Miami (MIA)
- LAX and Boston (BOS)
Qualifying other domestic filghts
Flights with seats ticketed as Flagship® between:
- Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Honolulu (HNL)
- DFW and Kona (KOA)
- DFW and Maui (OGG)
- Chicago (ORD) and HNL
- Charlotte (CLT) and HNL
1 guest (children over 2 count as a guest)
*Qualifying international flights are those between the U.S. and Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela) only. Qualifying transcontinental flights are defined as non-stop between New York Kennedy (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). All other international destinations are excluded from this benefit. Departing flight must be the same-day (or before 6 a.m. the following day).
**AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members traveling solely on North American itineraries (other than flights mentioned immediately above) will not qualify. North America is defined as the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
: An exception usually exists for First and Business passengers on AA Flagship (three class aircraft actually sold as three classes), such as the seasonal MIA-LAX 77W and LAX-BOS A321T.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class customers on American’s 3-class international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive, complimentary access to Flagship® First Dining. Qualifying international passengers may bring one guest; qualifying domestic passengers are not allowed any guests.
NOTE: Flagship® First Class and Flagship® Business Class passengers traveling on 3-cabin transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX/SFO are allowed entry to the Flagship Lounge both upon departure and upon arrival (e.g. A passenger traveling business class nonstop from JFK to LAX will have access to the JFK Lounge and the LAX Lounge). However, passengers on this itinerary will not be allowed to bring in a guest if they are not also in the Flagship® cabin
Link to relevant "Flagship Lounge" aa.com page
Link to 2017 and 2018 posts archived from this thread.
Guide to Flagship Lounge Access (in revision)
May 30, 2023, 12:39 pm
#1186
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,029
Regards
May 30, 2023, 1:24 pm
#1187
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,888
... And transcon First Class, while it is still around. I guess with LAX still closed, and NYC converted to the joint American/British Airways lounges, the only domestic first class itineraries still able to get traditional FFD is MIA to LAX?
May 30, 2023, 3:01 pm
#1189
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,678
Yes and now.. Yes in theory but leave it to AA to run the only 77W out of MIA to LAX at 11:15am before FFD is open. Been either like that or just No 77W for a while now.
May 31, 2023, 9:54 pm
#1190
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: GSP
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 221
On the following itinerary, would I have any or all of the following without paying for access beyond the flight tickets (note that the SFO->JFK is on A321 sharklet with 1:1 config first class seats, so assuming Flagship First)? I am asking because the transcon FF flight leaves on Jul 1 (same day I will be in DFW and SFO) and arrives Jul 2 (the day I will be at JFK).
A) DFW Flagship Lounge access
B) DFW Flagship First Dining access (for breakfast)
C) SFO Admirals Club access
D) Chelsea Lounge access
I am EXP but that should not matter as these are all domestic, albeit with SFO->JFK transcon.
A) DFW Flagship Lounge access
B) DFW Flagship First Dining access (for breakfast)
C) SFO Admirals Club access
D) Chelsea Lounge access
I am EXP but that should not matter as these are all domestic, albeit with SFO->JFK transcon.
May 31, 2023, 10:59 pm
#1191
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,678
On the following itinerary, would I have any or all of the following without paying for access beyond the flight tickets (note that the SFO->JFK is on A321 sharklet with 1:1 config first class seats, so assuming Flagship First)? I am asking because the transcon FF flight leaves on Jul 1 (same day I will be in DFW and SFO) and arrives Jul 2 (the day I will be at JFK).
A) DFW Flagship Lounge access
B) DFW Flagship First Dining access (for breakfast)
C) SFO Admirals Club access
D) Chelsea Lounge access
I am EXP but that should not matter as these are all domestic, albeit with SFO->JFK transcon.
A) DFW Flagship Lounge access
B) DFW Flagship First Dining access (for breakfast)
C) SFO Admirals Club access
D) Chelsea Lounge access
I am EXP but that should not matter as these are all domestic, albeit with SFO->JFK transcon.
Jun 1, 2023, 9:29 am
#1192
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AS MVPG, DL Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 141
Hi all! I have an upcoming pair of flights - ORD-BOS, then BOS-LHR, on the same day and on Oneworld airlines (AA&BA) but on different record locators that seemingly cannot be merged as one flight is with a companion but the other isn’t.
I am a OWS from Alaska MVP Gold, and I believe that allows access to the flagship lounge at ORD before my first flight - but the reservation not being merged makes me fear that the attendants will deny me access.
can somebody please confirm that I’m correct regarding access (AA website indicates yes) and that the lounge workers will allow me entry even on two different reservations?
thanks!
I am a OWS from Alaska MVP Gold, and I believe that allows access to the flagship lounge at ORD before my first flight - but the reservation not being merged makes me fear that the attendants will deny me access.
can somebody please confirm that I’m correct regarding access (AA website indicates yes) and that the lounge workers will allow me entry even on two different reservations?
thanks!
Jun 1, 2023, 9:54 am
#1193
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX/MAD (for now)
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 871
Hi all! I have an upcoming pair of flights - ORD-BOS, then BOS-LHR, on the same day and on Oneworld airlines (AA&BA) but on different record locators that seemingly cannot be merged as one flight is with a companion but the other isn’t.
I am a OWS from Alaska MVP Gold, and I believe that allows access to the flagship lounge at ORD before my first flight - but the reservation not being merged makes me fear that the attendants will deny me access.
can somebody please confirm that I’m correct regarding access (AA website indicates yes) and that the lounge workers will allow me entry even on two different reservations?
thanks!
I am a OWS from Alaska MVP Gold, and I believe that allows access to the flagship lounge at ORD before my first flight - but the reservation not being merged makes me fear that the attendants will deny me access.
can somebody please confirm that I’m correct regarding access (AA website indicates yes) and that the lounge workers will allow me entry even on two different reservations?
thanks!
Last edited by FlyFreakquently; Jun 1, 2023 at 9:59 am
Jun 4, 2023, 11:33 am
#1194
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 3
2 passengers flying from HEL - LAX on AY arriving at 4pm, then flying to HNL next morning at 8am on AA. Separate tickets for the connecting flight to HNL.
HEL - LAX is 1 pax in J and 1 pax in Y — pax in J is OW Emerald and pax in Y OW Sapphire.
I wanted to grab some dinner before heading to hotel for the night - am I right in thinking that day of arrival access would be denied for my guest at LAX since my connecting flight is after 6am next day? I think I could access as J passenger, but can’t bring any guests.
I read above in thread that 6am may not be strictly enforced, but not sure if it’s worth it to try as I need to re-clear security.
HEL - LAX is 1 pax in J and 1 pax in Y — pax in J is OW Emerald and pax in Y OW Sapphire.
I wanted to grab some dinner before heading to hotel for the night - am I right in thinking that day of arrival access would be denied for my guest at LAX since my connecting flight is after 6am next day? I think I could access as J passenger, but can’t bring any guests.
I read above in thread that 6am may not be strictly enforced, but not sure if it’s worth it to try as I need to re-clear security.
Jun 4, 2023, 11:48 am
#1195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,442
2 passengers flying from HEL - LAX on AY arriving at 4pm, then flying to HNL next morning at 8am on AA. Separate tickets for the connecting flight to HNL.
HEL - LAX is 1 pax in J and 1 pax in Y — pax in J is OW Emerald and pax in Y OW Sapphire.
I wanted to grab some dinner before heading to hotel for the night - am I right in thinking that day of arrival access would be denied for my guest at LAX since my connecting flight is after 6am next day? I think I could access as J passenger, but can’t bring any guests.
I read above in thread that 6am may not be strictly enforced, but not sure if it’s worth it to try as I need to re-clear security.
HEL - LAX is 1 pax in J and 1 pax in Y — pax in J is OW Emerald and pax in Y OW Sapphire.
I wanted to grab some dinner before heading to hotel for the night - am I right in thinking that day of arrival access would be denied for my guest at LAX since my connecting flight is after 6am next day? I think I could access as J passenger, but can’t bring any guests.
I read above in thread that 6am may not be strictly enforced, but not sure if it’s worth it to try as I need to re-clear security.
Jun 9, 2023, 12:42 am
#1197
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,678
LAX-ORD-AUH on EY in J will I be able to access FL at LAX and ORD or b/c EY isnt OW I cant? I used AA miles for the ticket so didnt even think but to go to FL but now realizing maybe no access? Would OW J be in play at LAX at least?
Jun 9, 2023, 5:34 am
#1198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,442
At ORD you can use whatever lounge EY contracts with.
Jun 9, 2023, 2:44 pm
#1199
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,678
Yikes, this is what I thought may be the case. The lounge they use looks bad, maybe not as bad as Swissport. But why does such a major airport have such poor lounges for their international terminal. This SAS lounge EY uses doesnt have bathrooms and clearly not showers. I am rethinking this itinerary and may just go on QR. Having a shower before 14 hours in the air is super important to me not to mention in this case it would be like 23 hours no shower b/c the red eye to Chicago plus the 5 hours layover time.
Jun 9, 2023, 3:10 pm
#1200
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,442
Yikes, this is what I thought may be the case. The lounge they use looks bad, maybe not as bad as Swissport. But why does such a major airport have such poor lounges for their international terminal. This SAS lounge EY uses doesnt have bathrooms and clearly not showers. I am rethinking this itinerary and may just go on QR. Having a shower before 14 hours in the air is super important to me not to mention in this case it would be like 23 hours no shower b/c the red eye to Chicago plus the 5 hours layover time.