Mar 13, 2020, 9:30 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Due to the large reductions in passenger loads due to novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 disease it causes. and subsequent drop in lounge users, American Airlines has announced service curtailments and reductions at some AA lounges.
MOST Admirals Clubs and lounges will be shut down. All food, beverage and shower services will be closed down. Link
See post #70 for the temporary closure and which services remain.
See post #46 for list of changes 19 March 2020.
Major Admiral’s Club, catering, and premium cabin changes coming due to the #coronavirus:
CLOSURES for the interim (Admirals Club unless other specified)
We’re changing procedures in our Admirals Club and Flagship Lounges to provide even more peace of mind for customers. Effective Monday, March 16, American will replace buffet-style food with individually portioned, covered food items and will shift most self-service beverages to individual portions such as milk cartons or bartender/wait staff service. The safety of our customers and guests is our top priority.
In Flagship Lounges, we’ll replace buffet-style food with individually portioned, covered food items
- This includes both hot and cold breakfast and all-day options
- Milk carafes will be replaced with individual cartons in beverage fridges and other beverage dispensers (water, tea, etc.) will be moved behind the bar
In Admirals Clubs, breakfast and all-day set up will be displayed on trays, either pre-packaged or individually wrapped
- This includes both hot and cold breakfast and all-day options Pre-packaged Quaker oatmeal with hot water available
-Soup will no longer be served
-Milk carafes will be replaced with individual cartons in ice bath or frost top and other beverage dispensers (water, tea, juice, etc.) will be moved behind the bar
Other changes:
- Bulk condiments will be replaced with portion-controlled packets
- Snack dispensers will be replaced with individually wrapped or pre-packaged snacks
- Cutlery and napkins will be pre-packaged
- Apples will be wrapped
- Desserts will remain in the same display but individually wrapped
- More frequent cleaning of touchscreens on beverage machines
Other important information:Onboard: We will no longer refill beverages in any cabin.
- As part of that change, beginning on March 16th, we are removing all glassware from Premium Cabins and replacing it with plastic or paper cups.
- Beginning March 10 we temporarily suspended Hot Towel Service in all cabins.
- Food for purchase will still be available
- Avocado Toast and Guacamole Action Stations will still be offered, as the portions are individually made by servers using gloves
AA is reported to be making an interim move to offering pre-packaged foods, disposable “glassware” in an effort to reduce risks to their flying public.
MOST Admirals Clubs and lounges will be shut down. All food, beverage and shower services will be closed down. Link
See post #70 for the temporary closure and which services remain.
See post #46 for list of changes 19 March 2020.
Major Admiral’s Club, catering, and premium cabin changes coming due to the #coronavirus:
CLOSURES for the interim (Admirals Club unless other specified)
- MIA Miami D15 (D30 remains open)
- PHX Phoenix A20 club is closed (the other two locations remain open)
- JFK New York JFK (use the Flagship lounge)
- LAX T5 (T4 remains open)
- DFW Dallas Fort Worth E (A, B, C, and D remain open)
- ORD Chicago O’Hare G and L (H/K remains open)
- CDG Paris
- GIG Rio de Janeiro
- GRU Sao Paulo
- EZE Buenos Aires
- LHR London Heathrow Flagship lounge (Admirals Club has reduced hours
We’re changing procedures in our Admirals Club and Flagship Lounges to provide even more peace of mind for customers. Effective Monday, March 16, American will replace buffet-style food with individually portioned, covered food items and will shift most self-service beverages to individual portions such as milk cartons or bartender/wait staff service. The safety of our customers and guests is our top priority.
In Flagship Lounges, we’ll replace buffet-style food with individually portioned, covered food items
- This includes both hot and cold breakfast and all-day options
- Milk carafes will be replaced with individual cartons in beverage fridges and other beverage dispensers (water, tea, etc.) will be moved behind the bar
In Admirals Clubs, breakfast and all-day set up will be displayed on trays, either pre-packaged or individually wrapped
- This includes both hot and cold breakfast and all-day options Pre-packaged Quaker oatmeal with hot water available
-Soup will no longer be served
-Milk carafes will be replaced with individual cartons in ice bath or frost top and other beverage dispensers (water, tea, juice, etc.) will be moved behind the bar
Other changes:
- Bulk condiments will be replaced with portion-controlled packets
- Snack dispensers will be replaced with individually wrapped or pre-packaged snacks
- Cutlery and napkins will be pre-packaged
- Apples will be wrapped
- Desserts will remain in the same display but individually wrapped
- More frequent cleaning of touchscreens on beverage machines
Other important information:Onboard: We will no longer refill beverages in any cabin.
- As part of that change, beginning on March 16th, we are removing all glassware from Premium Cabins and replacing it with plastic or paper cups.
- Beginning March 10 we temporarily suspended Hot Towel Service in all cabins.
- Food for purchase will still be available
- Avocado Toast and Guacamole Action Stations will still be offered, as the portions are individually made by servers using gloves
AA is reported to be making an interim move to offering pre-packaged foods, disposable “glassware” in an effort to reduce risks to their flying public.
Interim Lounge Closures, Service Reductions, Club & Flagship (Coronavirus)
Mar 18, 2020, 7:01 am
#31
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Gary Leff reports — link
CLOSURES for the interim (Admirals Club unless other specified)
There are various state laws that are affecting service in Admirals Clubs. Perhaps the most extreme place you can social distance inside of an airport is in American’s Flagship First Dining. But they’ve had to close it at New York JFK because ‘restaurants’ are required to be closed. Some won’t let you take food with you, others won’t let you eat the food they give you there. And in some places alcohol cannot be served.At LaGuardia food is also served to go and cannot be served on premises. There’s no guac or avocado toast there either anymore. The ‘service center’ location is closed. (San Francisco won’t let you consume food on premises either.)
Boston, Philadelphia, Orlando, New York JFK and LaGuardia and San Francisco lounges aren’t permitted to serve alcohol by government regulation...
CLOSURES for the interim (Admirals Club unless other specified)
- Miami D15 (D30 remains open)
- Phoenix A20 club is closed (the other two locations remain open)
- New York JFK (use the Flagship lounge)
- LAX T5 (T4 remains open)
- Dallas Fort Worth E (A, B, C, and D remain open)
- Chicago O’Hare G and L (H/K remains open)
- Paris
- Rio
- Sao Paulo
- Buenos Aires
- London Heathrow Flagship lounge (Admirals Club has reduced hours)
There are various state laws that are affecting service in Admirals Clubs. Perhaps the most extreme place you can social distance inside of an airport is in American’s Flagship First Dining. But they’ve had to close it at New York JFK because ‘restaurants’ are required to be closed. Some won’t let you take food with you, others won’t let you eat the food they give you there. And in some places alcohol cannot be served.At LaGuardia food is also served to go and cannot be served on premises. There’s no guac or avocado toast there either anymore. The ‘service center’ location is closed. (San Francisco won’t let you consume food on premises either.)
Boston, Philadelphia, Orlando, New York JFK and LaGuardia and San Francisco lounges aren’t permitted to serve alcohol by government regulation...
Mar 18, 2020, 9:34 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Is this an AA thing? As I stood outside of the RDU AC drinking my water I looked in at the DL SC and I saw people chowing away in that lounge. You know what's next right? Suspension of all inflight meals. Even last night the FA on my MIA/CLT flight handed me a can of tonic and a vodka bottle with very little ice and said "this is in case you want another one." And only one round of snack basket supposedly for hygiene reasons.
I guess AA could hand F paxs a Bistro Bag as they deplane with a can of something and a couple little minis.
I guess AA could hand F paxs a Bistro Bag as they deplane with a can of something and a couple little minis.
Mar 18, 2020, 10:22 am
#35
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,857
Our paths must have crossed in RDU earlier today (fat Brit by the window). Think yourself lucky that RDU have products available to self select, and self policing of the policy, as it were. In CLT everything is behind the bar, no coffee or fizz machines, and they give you stuff when you leave!
Mar 18, 2020, 12:07 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
Less than 20 people in the C/D Admiral's Club in CLT at 1:30PM today. They are still serving food and drink but you have to leave the club to eat or drink it.
Mar 18, 2020, 1:24 pm
#38
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
So, I just watched a couple go to the bar (at the club in CLT) to order food and drinks (that's the only place you can get any food or drink). The bartender told them they had to leave the club to eat or drink anything provided.
The a**holes got their stuff and immediately took seats to eat. One of the Aangels came over and asked them to leave if they wanted to consume their snacks. The promised to do that, and then continued to sit and eat and drink when she left. She came back a couple of minutes later and escorted them out of the club (them complaining all the way).
I hate people.
The a**holes got their stuff and immediately took seats to eat. One of the Aangels came over and asked them to leave if they wanted to consume their snacks. The promised to do that, and then continued to sit and eat and drink when she left. She came back a couple of minutes later and escorted them out of the club (them complaining all the way).
I hate people.
Mar 18, 2020, 1:59 pm
#39
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
So, I wandered down to the "other" club by the E gates (at CLT) and they had box lunches and drinks and were allowing us to eat in the club. They said they were under different rules than the AC.
Last edited by jhalapin; Mar 18, 2020 at 2:21 pm
Mar 18, 2020, 2:27 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BOS, LAX
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 804
So, I just watched a couple go to the bar (at the club in CLT) to order food and drinks (that's the only place you can get any food or drink). The bartender told them they had to leave the club to eat or drink anything provided.
The a**holes got their stuff and immediately took seats to eat. One of the Aangels came over and asked them to leave if they wanted to consume their snacks. The promised to do that, and then continued to sit and eat and drink when she left. She came back a couple of minutes later and escorted them out of the club (them complaining all the way).
I hate people.
The a**holes got their stuff and immediately took seats to eat. One of the Aangels came over and asked them to leave if they wanted to consume their snacks. The promised to do that, and then continued to sit and eat and drink when she left. She came back a couple of minutes later and escorted them out of the club (them complaining all the way).
I hate people.
Mar 18, 2020, 2:52 pm
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
While I agree this all has gone beyond crazy and the economic crash will take far more lives than this virus I also understand the AC staff is being told to do this. So I comply out of respect for them, particularly as their jobs are in peril now. The largest mall operator just announced the shut down of all its malls in the US, 209 locations, domestic air travel might not be that far behind.
Mar 18, 2020, 2:57 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
If I were told not to consume the food and drink provided in the club (when I ordered as they were), I would follow the instructions of the staff. And certainly if told a second time, I would comply.
That doesn't make me a sheep, it makes me respectful of others.
YMMV
Mar 18, 2020, 3:29 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,659
Since when is blatantly disregarding the rules, and then the requests to comply with them, normal behavior?
Mar 19, 2020, 10:27 pm
#45
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
American Airlines Makes Changes to Admirals Club Lounges and Flagship Lounges in Response to COVID-19
Thursday, March 19, 2020, 8:30 PM — linkFORT WORTH, Texas — As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact every corner of our world, American Airlines is temporarily closing and consolidating its premium clubs and lounges in direct response to changes in demand and government mandate.
- American is consolidating Admirals Club lounges in airport locations where multiple clubs exist. Changes made to alcohol service and food being consumed outside of the lounges have been made to meet government mandate.
- Beginning Friday, March 20, Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounges will temporarily close, as American has reduced international travel by more than 75% in response to demand.
Flagship Lounges
Flagship Lounges in Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA) will be closed in response to significantly reduced international demand and reduced international flying. The Flagship Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will temporarily covert to Admirals Club service. Admirals Club guests will be able to access the lounge for Admirals Club grab-and-go service.Flagship First Dining at DFW, LAX, MIA and JFK will also close. Those guests will be welcomed into Admirals Club lounges.
Domestic changes, as of 8:30 p.m. Central include:
*Note all times are localAtlanta (ATL)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Austin, Texas (AUS)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.
Boston (BOS)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.
Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)
The Admirals Club at Concourse B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club at Concourse C will operate under the reduced hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
Chicago (ORD)
The Flagship Lounge will close temporarily. Admirals Club lounges located in Concourse G and Concourse L are temporarily closed. The Admirals Club in Concourse H/K will remain open, but with the reduced hours of 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge in Terminal D and the Admirals Club in Terminal B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club lounge in Terminal E is temporarily closed. Admirals Club lounges in terminals A, C and D will remain open.
- Terminal A: 5 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Terminal C: 4 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Terminal D: 5 a.m.–10:15 p.m. (no change)
Denver (DEN)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Houston (IAH)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
Los Angeles (LAX)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge will be temporarily closed. The Admirals Club in Terminal 5 and the Eagle Regional Terminal are temporarily closed. Guests can continue to use the Admirals Club lounge at Terminal 4 from 4 a.m. to midnight.
Miami (MIA)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge will be temporarily closed. The Admirals Club located at Gate D15 is temporarily closed. Guests will be welcomed at the Gate D30 Admirals Club from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time.
Nashville (BNA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
The Admirals Club will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
New York (JFK)
The Admirals Club located near Gate 42 is temporarily closed. The Flagship Lounge near Gate 12 will temporarily be converted to Admirals Club service and operate from 4 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
To follow government mandate closing all restaurants, Flagship First Dining will be closed.
New York (LGA)
Operating hours will be 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
The Service Center is temporarily closed. Guests can continue to utilize the Admirals Club in Concourse D.
Orange County, California (SNA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 5:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served as to-go items and cannot be consumed on the premises.
Orlando, Florida (MCO)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time.
Philadelphia (PHL)
The Admirals Club at Terminal A and Terminal F will be temporarily closed. The Terminal B/C Admirals Club will remain open with reduced operating hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served as to-go items and may be consumed on the premises.
Phoenix (PHX)
The Admirals Club located near Gate B5 will be temporarily closed, and guests will be welcomed to Admirals Club lounges located near Gate A7 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Gate A19 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.
Pittsburgh (PIT)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served as to-go items and cannot be consumed on the premises.
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.
St. Louis (STL)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
San Diego (SAN)
The Airspace Lounge will temporarily close beginning Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m.
San Francisco (SFO)
The Admirals Club will operate from 5 a.m. to midnight. Per government mandate, all food will be prepackaged and may be consumed on the premises.
Tampa, Florida (TPA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Washington (DCA)
The Admirals Club at Terminal B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club at Terminal C will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
International temporary changes
Admirals Club lounges in Paris (CDG), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Buenos Aires (EZE) and São Paulo (GRU) are closed. The Tokyo Narita Japan (NRT) Admirals Club was previously scheduled to permanently close at the end of March.Mexico City (MEX)
The Admirals Club will operate from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Toronto (YYZ)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and from 5:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
London (LHR)
The Arrivals lounge hours have been temporarily reduced. The International First Class Lounge will be closed temporarily. Flagship guests will be welcomed into the Admirals Club and will be offered a complimentary menu.