ORD AC "Concourse L" Lounge Remodel and Expansion
Mar 18, 2018, 3:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
My fondest wish. Also my most frequent disappointment. The trend in Admirals Clubs (also United Clubs) is that cubicles are old-fashioned. They're replaced by long glass shelves against the wall.
I can't think of a single "club makeover" where cubicles were added. I can think of a TON where cubicles were reduced or removed entirely.
I can't think of a single "club makeover" where cubicles were added. I can think of a TON where cubicles were reduced or removed entirely.
No, I know, wrong.
Sigh.
Mar 18, 2018, 4:10 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Gold, Wyndham DM, Bonvoy Gold, National Exec, Hertz Gold
Posts: 62
I know, I know...but I just have this irrational habit of being rational. I mean, somewhere, somehow, AA's gotta conduct some market research where they realize that their target market is business travelers and that business travelers need to, uh, work. Right? RIGHT??!!
No, I know, wrong.
Sigh.
No, I know, wrong.
Sigh.
In a small club, I get it — they take up too much real estate. But for clubs that have the space like H/K or G, they tie together the business center concept will IMO.
Mar 18, 2018, 6:56 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
I fly out of L a lot... but almost every time I travel for work I trek to H/K to use their cubicals in the business corner. I’m going out of my way for those dumb things... so while some folks find them irrelevant to the times, I’m in my 20’s and find them invaluable to my work ability and comfort.
In a small club, I get it — they take up too much real estate. But for clubs that have the space like H/K or G, they tie together the business center concept will IMO.
In a small club, I get it — they take up too much real estate. But for clubs that have the space like H/K or G, they tie together the business center concept will IMO.
Most of my travel nowadays is international. If faced with the choice between Flagship Lounge (with shelf-on-a-wall) or Admirals Club (with cubicles) ... wow ... I love the cubicles ... but it's still gonna be Flagship Lounge, Every Time.
Mar 19, 2018, 6:44 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
You're not wrong. They did a soft remodel awhile back, redid the bar, bathrooms and leased a bunch of hertz rental furniture. Everyone thought it was just a temp lounge while they redid H/K and flagship. It's nice, but it's not "standardized" and has hints of old style AC. Apparently she mentioned since both G and H/K got the total update to the new design, they want to do the same with L plus expand it since adjoining space apparently became available. Not sure if this has anything to do with the mayors plan to build out more gates in L? Maybe AA is looking at the future need of a decent size lounge in that area.
The AAngels at this club tell different stories but they all are about a full gut remodel. One told me they were going to use the second level eventually.
Mar 19, 2018, 6:56 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,985
I’d emphasize the “story” aspect. There is no second level. Those are airport/ airline offices, with a catwalk for access
Mar 19, 2018, 7:08 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
Exactly. But I'd trust the fact that they are going to do a remodel eventually. The furniture in there is awful. The club was built pre-9/11 and then turned into a USO when AA cut back. Going to be great to have this in the #newAmerican style
Mar 19, 2018, 7:24 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Gold, Wyndham DM, Bonvoy Gold, National Exec, Hertz Gold
Posts: 62
Exactly. But I'd trust the fact that they are going to do a remodel eventually. The furniture in there is awful. The club was built pre-9/11 and then turned into a USO when AA cut back. Going to be great to have this in the #newAmerican style
But, remodels are always nice, especially when it means expansion for more space.
I asked the AAngel about the upstairs rumor when I was there this past weekend. She said no expansion to upstairs. In fact the reason the lounge is closed starting yesterday thru the next 3 weeks is because the airport is renovating upstairs for their use and didn't want to annoy passengers with all the noise in the lounge below.
Mar 19, 2018, 8:17 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 1,894
Count me among them. I didn't know there's an L club. The concourse itself is so dreary, especially at night, that I figured there were no amenities.
Mar 19, 2018, 8:25 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Gold, Wyndham DM, Bonvoy Gold, National Exec, Hertz Gold
Posts: 62
If o
After passing security but before entering L, look to your left. It's in the corner, almost as if you were about to go down the escalators past TSA to the baggage claim. You'll see the white frosted doors. For the longest time I walked right past TSA into L and never knew it was there.
Mar 19, 2018, 10:21 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
I personally like the red chairs... I think they're more comfortable and classier than the grey vinyl/fake leather ones... and I think the bar setup and location is the coolest at ORD -- being a wrap around with a near 270 degree all-glass view of the ramp.
But, remodels are always nice, especially when it means expansion for more space.
I asked the AAngel about the upstairs rumor when I was there this past weekend. She said no expansion to upstairs. In fact the reason the lounge is closed starting yesterday thru the next 3 weeks is because the airport is renovating upstairs for their use and didn't want to annoy passengers with all the noise in the lounge below.
But, remodels are always nice, especially when it means expansion for more space.
I asked the AAngel about the upstairs rumor when I was there this past weekend. She said no expansion to upstairs. In fact the reason the lounge is closed starting yesterday thru the next 3 weeks is because the airport is renovating upstairs for their use and didn't want to annoy passengers with all the noise in the lounge below.
After passing security but before entering L, look to your left. It's in the corner, almost as if you were about to go down the escalators past TSA to the baggage claim. You'll see the white frosted doors. For the longest time I walked right past TSA into L and never knew it was there.