MIA / Miami Flagship Lounge at D30 (new Nov 2017)
Jul 9, 2018, 5:20 am
#61
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
You are talking about two different things. I think the confusion starts by thinking that the FL and the D30 lounge share some of the same space. The FL, that happens to physically be very close to the D30 lounge, is up and running. The D30 lounge, on the other hand, is closed for renovations.
Also, note that the entrance to the FL is just a small door into what looks like a dark hallway so it's easy to miss.
Jul 9, 2018, 5:28 am
#62
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
I suspect that the hallway will become a common entrance for both the FL and AC along with AAngels serving both lounges for check-in, and that when you check in they will direct you to the appropriate lounge.
Sep 14, 2018, 6:21 pm
#63
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,346
If I'm interpreting your post correctly, that's exactly what has happened.
Sep 14, 2018, 6:24 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,346
I haven't been to this FSL in many months...maybe since Jan 2018? But offerings seem to have gone downhill. Arepas are gone and replaced by an uninspired beef tenderloin, there is only 1 red wine available, and the liquor selection positively pales in comparison to LAX or ORD. Even the charcuterie is now fairly pedestrian...gone is the nice chorizo and decent quality proscuitto. Anyone else feel similarly?
Last edited by ikwia; Sep 14, 2018 at 6:52 pm
Sep 14, 2018, 6:58 pm
#65
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
I haven't been to this FSL in many months...maybe since Jan 2018? But offerings seem to have gone downhill. Arepas are gone and replaced by an uninspired beef tenderloin, there is only 1 red wine available, and the liquor selection positively pales in comparison to LAX or ORD. Even the charcuterie is now fairly pedestrian...gone is the nice chorizo and decent quality proscuitto. Anyone else feel similarly?
Sep 14, 2018, 7:47 pm
#67
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
I just got to whatever is closer. The other day I had an E gates train flight -- I didn't realize the E lounge doesn't open to noon so just took the train and had a coffee sitting by the gate hooked into a phone charger column and using the airport's free WiFi. At the end of the day, the gate area was mostly empty so really makes me glad I don't have $$$ for FL or AC access. Not worth it.
Sep 15, 2018, 8:46 am
#68
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
I've recently been in the FLs in MIA and LAX. My feeling is the buffets look much more impressive in blogger posts and trip reports. The actually offerings, including their quality was very mediocre. Now, yes, it was much better than the old FL in terms of appearance, the food was meh IMO
Yes, these are very picky complaints. There is a lot of stuff that I really like, particularly the smoked salmon and the bacon at breakfast. The coffee machines are great, and I am happy with the wine and liquor selections. The FL is an order of magnitude better than any lounge available to me on any other airline that serves my home airport and is a big reason that I make a point of flying AA even when the competition may have a slightly better price or schedule.
Sep 15, 2018, 9:26 am
#69
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
I only have experience in the MIA FL, but based on that, I agree about the food. I passed through twice this week, and second time was a long layover where i saw both the breakfast and lunch offerings. My biggest gripe is that the entrees are almost always cooked to death. This week the lunch offering was grouper or pork. Both were cooked to the consistency of leather. The side dishes are also uninspired and bland. The thing that I really don't understand are the cold sides. The salads are almost all compositions that look pretty on a plate, but they give you tongs for serving, so the first person destroys the presentation; I'd prefer bowls of salads like they have (or had) at the Premium Lounge. The thing that surprises me is the lack of bread choices. They put out some very nice lunch meats, and I would be happy to build a sandwich, but the only bread during lunch are tiny rolls. I was contemplating trekking to the Premium Lounge and would have if I did not have to leave to run an errand.
Yes, these are very picky complaints. There is a lot of stuff that I really like, particularly the smoked salmon and the bacon at breakfast. The coffee machines are great, and I am happy with the wine and liquor selections. The FL is an order of magnitude better than any lounge available to me on any other airline that serves my home airport and is a big reason that I make a point of flying AA even when the competition may have a slightly better price or schedule.
Yes, these are very picky complaints. There is a lot of stuff that I really like, particularly the smoked salmon and the bacon at breakfast. The coffee machines are great, and I am happy with the wine and liquor selections. The FL is an order of magnitude better than any lounge available to me on any other airline that serves my home airport and is a big reason that I make a point of flying AA even when the competition may have a slightly better price or schedule.
Sep 16, 2018, 7:09 pm
#70
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/NYC/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,133
I've started going to the Priority Pass restaurants to get something different because I feel the food is a bit tired (and lacking) here. I'll then go to the FL to drink and work.
Sep 17, 2018, 2:56 am
#71
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,304
The food at Corona Beach is one place that the FL should beat in quality. The chicken breast seemed like it was composite pressed chicken parts. Guacamole was good. Nachos are ok but not what I try to eat when on the road.
Sep 17, 2018, 6:51 am
#72
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
I have long given up on any food served in AC or FL to satisfy my hunger...
dont expect much and you wont be disappointed
dont expect much and you wont be disappointed
Last edited by fotographer; Sep 17, 2018 at 6:52 am Reason: typo
Sep 17, 2018, 9:44 am
#73
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
I wish the "hot" food was kept at a higher temperatumore than lukewarm. Drives me nuts that they don't adjust the server/buffet settings to keep the food truly hot.
Sep 28, 2018, 2:43 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,346
So I've got to give credit when it's due -- today's food spread is actually quite good. The higher quality charcuterie is out, they have some decent (cold) steak, spicy thai shrimp, excellent wings, a pretty good heirloom tomato gazpacho, and the "made to order" station is doing fish tacos, which are REALLY good. So it seems the experience varies quite a bit, at least as it regards food.
Sep 28, 2018, 2:47 pm
#75
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold
Posts: 1,887
So I've got to give credit when it's due -- today's food spread is actually quite good. The higher quality charcuterie is out, they have some decent (cold) steak, spicy thai shrimp, excellent wings, a pretty good heirloom tomato gazpacho, and the "made to order" station is doing fish tacos, which are REALLY good. So it seems the experience varies quite a bit, at least as it regards food.