ARCHIVE: Guide to Flagship Lounge Access (expanded 2017) thru 2018
Apr 25, 2017, 12:31 pm
#61
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP; BoNVoY Tit LTP
Posts: 1,923
Any news on when in Spring? I am flying international J through ORD next week and would use the Flagship Lounge if I could.
Apr 26, 2017, 2:44 am
#62
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Purely a guess - this switch will not happen until at least the new ORD and LAX FCL/FL are open. (And could be longer... until MIA/DFW etc come on board.)
Apr 26, 2017, 8:08 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
I was in the JFK "Flagship" lounge on 4/22, awaiting AA177. What a zoo. This whole expanded access thing makes it far from "flagship" experience. Kids running around everywhere, lines for food, noisy. I retreated and went for a walk around the terminal and browsed the shops.
Now not sure if the "hoards" where due to "expanded" access, or if it just happened that all and sundry where there and I was just unfortunate. Also, wish they had more "lounge" type chairs too.
Now not sure if the "hoards" where due to "expanded" access, or if it just happened that all and sundry where there and I was just unfortunate. Also, wish they had more "lounge" type chairs too.
Apr 26, 2017, 8:22 am
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
I was in the JFK "Flagship" lounge on 4/22, awaiting AA177. What a zoo. This whole expanded access thing makes it far from "flagship" experience. Kids running around everywhere, lines for food, noisy. I retreated and went for a walk around the terminal and browsed the shops.
Now not sure if the "hoards" where due to "expanded" access, or if it just happened that all and sundry where there and I was just unfortunate. Also, wish they had more "lounge" type chairs too.
Now not sure if the "hoards" where due to "expanded" access, or if it just happened that all and sundry where there and I was just unfortunate. Also, wish they had more "lounge" type chairs too.
Is it possible access has been expanded to include all international (long-haul) business class pax? I doubt the difference could be the CX flights moving to T8, unless those are OWE-heavy, but I don't think the BA F lounge in T7 was ever that busy.
Apr 26, 2017, 8:24 am
#65
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Apr 26, 2017, 9:48 am
#67
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,375
I have a mid-June J flight from ORD, and I will be shocked if FL access is ready to be offered.
Apr 26, 2017, 7:37 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp
Posts: 2,673
I was in the JFK "Flagship" lounge on 4/22, awaiting AA177. What a zoo. This whole expanded access thing makes it far from "flagship" experience. Kids running around everywhere, lines for food, noisy. I retreated and went for a walk around the terminal and browsed the shops.
Now not sure if the "hoards" where due to "expanded" access, or if it just happened that all and sundry where there and I was just unfortunate. Also, wish they had more "lounge" type chairs too.
Now not sure if the "hoards" where due to "expanded" access, or if it just happened that all and sundry where there and I was just unfortunate. Also, wish they had more "lounge" type chairs too.
Weird, I don't recall ever hearing about such a zoo at the Flagship lounge, and AFAIK the current access to the "International First Class Lounge" has the same access policy as the old FL (i.e., 3-class F plus OW Emerald).
Is it possible access has been expanded to include all international (long-haul) business class pax? I doubt the difference could be the CX flights moving to T8, unless those are OWE-heavy, but I don't think the BA F lounge in T7 was ever that busy.
Is it possible access has been expanded to include all international (long-haul) business class pax? I doubt the difference could be the CX flights moving to T8, unless those are OWE-heavy, but I don't think the BA F lounge in T7 was ever that busy.
This must be related to the new expanded entry access with international business travelers. Are they able to invite guests traveling with them into the Flagship lounge - like their entire family? This happens more frequently at the AMEX Centurion lounges with kids running around everywhere, although they are limiting the number of guests at the AMEX Centurion lounges.
Apr 26, 2017, 8:06 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
I've used it about 8 times now since December, not earlier than about 2.30pm and no later than about 7.30pm. It's often been heaving to the extent I have wondered why the Flagship Lounge never felt that way during the same hours.
Apr 26, 2017, 9:16 pm
#70
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I was in the JFK "Flagship" lounge on 4/22, awaiting AA177. What a zoo. This whole expanded access thing makes it far from "flagship" experience. Kids running around everywhere, lines for food, noisy. I retreated and went for a walk around the terminal and browsed the shops.
Now not sure if the "hoards" where due to "expanded" access, or if it just happened that all and sundry where there and I was just unfortunate. Also, wish they had more "lounge" type chairs too.
Now not sure if the "hoards" where due to "expanded" access, or if it just happened that all and sundry where there and I was just unfortunate. Also, wish they had more "lounge" type chairs too.
I have - on occasion - seen the rowdy kids. In each case it was one group of travelers (two sets of parents) that seem to be very okay with their kids loud and running amuck. But it has been rare in the IFCL/FL.
I don't believe expanded access has happened yet.
May 5, 2017, 12:08 pm
#71
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 335
I emailed AA about this, and this is what they responded.
"Thank you for contacting Admirals Club Member Services. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.
At this time we do not have an opening date for the JFK Flagship Lounge. We have a targeted date for renovations to be completed sometimes in the second quarter of this year, but it may be a little later. Once completed customers traveling Business Class on flights that include eligible international cities to or from Europe, Asia, Central and South America and Mexico City only would have access. Other international destinations are excluded from this benefit.
We hope to be able to welcome you to the lounge in the near future ."
"Thank you for contacting Admirals Club Member Services. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.
At this time we do not have an opening date for the JFK Flagship Lounge. We have a targeted date for renovations to be completed sometimes in the second quarter of this year, but it may be a little later. Once completed customers traveling Business Class on flights that include eligible international cities to or from Europe, Asia, Central and South America and Mexico City only would have access. Other international destinations are excluded from this benefit.
We hope to be able to welcome you to the lounge in the near future ."
May 5, 2017, 4:26 pm
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,052
Was there this last week. The lounge is done, the dining still has to be completed at JFK. Agents indicate
that it would be just a couple weeks till FD was open, but that they had no clue when J would get access.
that it would be just a couple weeks till FD was open, but that they had no clue when J would get access.
May 5, 2017, 8:40 pm
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
May 11, 2017, 10:22 am
#74
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 335
Flagship dining preview
American just introduced their flagship dining menu last night at some event space in NYC (check out their instagram stories). They also have a website on it. https://exploreamerican.com/flagshipfirstdining/
I don't know if this is a new website or what, but I just saw it for the first time today.
I don't know if this is a new website or what, but I just saw it for the first time today.
May 11, 2017, 12:11 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
American just introduced their flagship dining menu last night at some event space in NYC (check out their instagram stories). They also have a website on it. https://exploreamerican.com/flagshipfirstdining/
I don't know if this is a new website or what, but I just saw it for the first time today.
I don't know if this is a new website or what, but I just saw it for the first time today.
