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, 2021, 6:25 pm
#91
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 889
Could someone fill me in on the lounge options if traveling LHR-LAX in First? I called the AA Platinum number and the agent said "none." That didn't seem right and the wiki says with Flagship closed go to the Admiral Club. Is that the only/best choice? I'd have thought AA would have cut a deal with BA or something.
I've got the standard assortment of Priority Pass, Amex Plat etc. If anyone has a suggestion I'd be most grateful.
I've got the standard assortment of Priority Pass, Amex Plat etc. If anyone has a suggestion I'd be most grateful.
Mar 18, 2021, 7:01 pm
#92
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,675
Could someone fill me in on the lounge options if traveling LHR-LAX in First? I called the AA Platinum number and the agent said "none." That didn't seem right and the wiki says with Flagship closed go to the Admiral Club. Is that the only/best choice? I'd have thought AA would have cut a deal with BA or something.
I've got the standard assortment of Priority Pass, Amex Plat etc. If anyone has a suggestion I'd be most grateful.
I've got the standard assortment of Priority Pass, Amex Plat etc. If anyone has a suggestion I'd be most grateful.
Mar 18, 2021, 8:06 pm
#94
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,159
Suggest you check with BA for the latest on T5 lounge access with an AA flight. BA appears to have consolidated to Galleries South. You should have access to the First wing there (via Oneworld), and possibly even the Concorde Terrace (substitute for the closed Concorde Room) -- see here, here, and here (reports that AA Flagship F, and CK, both now qualify for Concorde).
Additionally, a Priority Pass lounge in T5 is scheduled to reopen May 17, 2021.
Additionally, a Priority Pass lounge in T5 is scheduled to reopen May 17, 2021.
Mar 18, 2021, 9:39 pm
#95
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 889
Those are great links. Thanks so much.
BTW AA, bless their hearts, stridently denies that either CK or passenger flying F out of LHR have access to any BA lounge at LHR (let alone the Concorde Terrace/Concorde Room).
BTW AA, bless their hearts, stridently denies that either CK or passenger flying F out of LHR have access to any BA lounge at LHR (let alone the Concorde Terrace/Concorde Room).
Last edited by sbedelman; Mar 18, 2021 at 10:07 pm
Mar 19, 2021, 12:18 pm
#96
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
That's just beyond "goofy". AA flyers always have access to BA lounges if flying F, due to OW rules.
Mar 19, 2021, 8:20 pm
#97
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 889
I know. But I spent almost an hour on the phone with a supervisor who read from their online manual which she said states there was no access to BA in LHR. The agent stated that one of her jobs is training and that if it isn't in the manual, then there is no access.
When I asked what lounge an F passenger would be directed to at check in at LHR she said "none." When I pointed out that I had seen a posting that AA had tweeted in response to a customer enquiry that F and CK were being told to use the CCR she said that was not correct and repeated that passenger traveling in F on AA have no access to any BA Lounge. So per two agents on separate calls both to the Platinum desk (for what that's worth) that is AA's position
If we are eligible to use the BA Lounge we'll go, but I'd very much like to avoid the embarrassment of our group (all of whom are traveling in F to LAX) being turned away.
Anyone who has recently departed LHR on AA in F I'd be very grateful if you could post whether you were admitted to one of the BA Lounges and if so whether they allowed you the use of the Terrace since the CCR is closed.
When I asked what lounge an F passenger would be directed to at check in at LHR she said "none." When I pointed out that I had seen a posting that AA had tweeted in response to a customer enquiry that F and CK were being told to use the CCR she said that was not correct and repeated that passenger traveling in F on AA have no access to any BA Lounge. So per two agents on separate calls both to the Platinum desk (for what that's worth) that is AA's position
If we are eligible to use the BA Lounge we'll go, but I'd very much like to avoid the embarrassment of our group (all of whom are traveling in F to LAX) being turned away.
Anyone who has recently departed LHR on AA in F I'd be very grateful if you could post whether you were admitted to one of the BA Lounges and if so whether they allowed you the use of the Terrace since the CCR is closed.
Mar 19, 2021, 8:45 pm
#98
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
To add another layer of oddity to this, this is AA's page on their move into Terminal 5 at Heathrow. It mentions that Flagship First can check in at the First Wing (which leads directly into the BA First lounge after security) and that Flagship First can use the BA arrivals lounge, but the First Lounge entry only says Executive Platinum!
Mar 20, 2021, 4:37 am
#100
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
British Airways Galleries South Club, First Lounge and Concorde Terrace (Open)
(LHR) Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
Access
- Business Class
- First Class
- Sapphire Tier
- Emerald Tier
Mar 21, 2021, 5:19 am
#101
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,854
I can easily see why the manual is wrong, for years and years people in T3 - including AA passengers - have tried to get access to the CCR over in T5 for various reasons and it's just not allowed. So the manual was right to be firm on that point, but things rapidly changed last year. There are rumours that the airport wants AA to go back to T3 but I think that isn't going to happen in the next year.
Mar 21, 2021, 6:47 am
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
I know. But I spent almost an hour on the phone with a supervisor who read from their online manual which she said states there was no access to BA in LHR. The agent stated that one of her jobs is training and that if it isn't in the manual, then there is no access.
When I asked what lounge an F passenger would be directed to at check in at LHR she said "none." When I pointed out that I had seen a posting that AA had tweeted in response to a customer enquiry that F and CK were being told to use the CCR she said that was not correct and repeated that passenger traveling in F on AA have no access to any BA Lounge. So per two agents on separate calls both to the Platinum desk (for what that's worth) that is AA's position.
When I asked what lounge an F passenger would be directed to at check in at LHR she said "none." When I pointed out that I had seen a posting that AA had tweeted in response to a customer enquiry that F and CK were being told to use the CCR she said that was not correct and repeated that passenger traveling in F on AA have no access to any BA Lounge. So per two agents on separate calls both to the Platinum desk (for what that's worth) that is AA's position.
And of course there's no such thing as a PLT desk, only a different number that puts you ahead in the queue. Heck, even most EXP agents would have no idea about this kind of stuff.
As mentioned above, you will have no problem accessing BA lounges in T5 with an F ticket on AA.
Aug 21, 2021, 4:58 pm
#104
Formerly known as billinaz
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Goodyear,AZ for now then FL Spacecoast
Programs: US Airways Dividend Miles, American AAdvantage, Avis Preferred, Budget Rapid Rez, Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,145
With the renewed closures in CA.... is the LAX Admirals Club open? Is food (especially in AM) still available?
Aug 21, 2021, 5:24 pm
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...l#post33509347