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I will advance three theories on the status of Flagship dining's status.
First, lets remember that Flagship dining is effectively a full-service restaurant with an open bar. In 3 out of the 5 locations with Flagship lounges, you have some pretty onerous restrictions on restaurants and sit down service. I think that in order to offer a consistent approach, AA could argue that the limitations on dining in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago are so strict that they have opted against being open and have taken an all-or-none approach on these particular lounges. Second, international First class travel and paid business travel is off significantly, so the usage rate on these lounges may not justify their continuing to be open. Third, American isn't doing so well financially. Those lounges are probably not inexpensive to staff and to stock. I have no idea what they cost on a per person per day basis to run but between the labor cost, the food cost, the alcohol cost, and overhead cost, they can't be cheap. I'd bet that the average person consumes $10 worth of food and drink at a FL prior to a flight, and those who really indulge at the FL lounges probably consume $25 worth of food and drink. Multiply that by 1,000 passengers per day and you're at $25,000 in food/drink costs alone.... |
Originally Posted by scubadu
(Post 32955955)
Ummm.... literally nobody said Flagship lounges are going away. The speculation was purely on when they reopen and clearly that will be demand driven. Do you agree or disagree with that assumption?
International first class has been going away before the pandemic panic every occurred, not gone, but reducing over time (this isn't an opinion, but rather a verifiable fact). Again, I did not assert FFD is going away, but certainly that I could see that as a risk. Do you disagree or disagree? If you disagree with anything I've stated, then how about stringing together a counter argument that is a bit more substantial than "the pandemic is not forever!" Regards Ummm....MileTrek had said what you said that nobody said...It is sitting there for all the world to read, but apparently you did not:
Originally Posted by MileTrek
(Post 32952747)
Does anyone have any insight into the future of the flagship lounges? I would think by summer AA would have some plans on it's return or demise. This also applies to FFD
Originally Posted by LovePrunes
(Post 32954947)
i can't understand the speculating that Flagship Lounges, the Flagship dining, or first class is ending...It's not going to be a pandemic forever. What am I missing?
I hope that's "strung together more substantially " to your satisfaction. No need for the condescending snark in your reply. Regards yourself. |
Flew into DFW on Flagship Business today and was aware that the Flagship lounge was closed, which is understandable. Proceeded to the Admiral's Club outside A23 and asked about drink vouchers but was told they are no longer giving them out. I headed to the bar to try my luck but was told I would need to pay for anything other than Miller Lite. I understand that is the policy for standard Admirals guests, but this is completely ridiculous for someone who would ordinarily have access to the Flagship lounge. Why can't AA realize that passengers spending 5k+ on a ticket should be given, at a minimum, drink vouchers to the Admirals Club?
Obviously, the $6 for a drink is nothing compared to my ticket cost so I sucked it up but none the less it leaves a taste of being cheated. |
Originally Posted by hew204
(Post 32967949)
Flew into DFW on Flagship Business today and was aware that the Flagship lounge was closed, which is understandable. Proceeded to the Admiral's Club outside A23 and asked about drink vouchers but was told they are no longer giving them out. I headed to the bar to try my luck but was told I would need to pay for anything other than Miller Lite. I understand that is the policy for standard Admirals guests, but this is completely ridiculous for someone who would ordinarily have access to the Flagship lounge. Why can't AA realize that passengers spending 5k+ on a ticket should be given, at a minimum, drink vouchers to the Admirals Club?
Obviously, the $6 for a drink is nothing compared to my ticket cost so I sucked it up but none the less it leaves a taste of being cheated. On the other hand, United is doing the right thing which is providing Polaris Lounge eligible passengers a premium snack and drink coupons. |
Originally Posted by hew204
(Post 32967949)
Flew into DFW on Flagship Business today and was aware that the Flagship lounge was closed, which is understandable. Proceeded to the Admiral's Club outside A23 and asked about drink vouchers but was told they are no longer giving them out. I headed to the bar to try my luck but was told I would need to pay for anything other than Miller Lite. I understand that is the policy for standard Admirals guests, but this is completely ridiculous for someone who would ordinarily have access to the Flagship lounge. Why can't AA realize that passengers spending 5k+ on a ticket should be given, at a minimum, drink vouchers to the Admirals Club?
Obviously, the $6 for a drink is nothing compared to my ticket cost so I sucked it up but none the less it leaves a taste of being cheated. |
Originally Posted by SFO777
(Post 32967994)
I'd be more annoyed about spending $5K+ on an AA ticket.
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Originally Posted by SFO777
(Post 32967994)
I'd be more annoyed about spending $5K+ on an AA ticket.
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Originally Posted by ISTFlyer
(Post 32967976)
AA suspended all drink coupons for the unforeseeable future. This also includes Flagship First passengers, non-AAdvantage OW status members, and AAdvantage Platinum or higher members traveling on an international flight.
On the other hand, United is doing the right thing which is providing Polaris Lounge eligible passengers a premium snack and drink coupons. |
Originally Posted by asnovici
(Post 32968731)
was at United lounge at IAH a couple of times traveling TK in J as Star Gold and wasn’t offered anything extra. Is this offered to Polaris passengers only? Class of service would have allowed for Polaris lounge under normal circumstances.
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What is the current lounge situation at LHR?
AA moved to T5 right? Since there is no Admirals Club anymore, have they said whether club members can use the BA lounges? I'm considering a trip in May. |
Yes, Admirals Club members could use the Galleries Club in Terminal 5 solely when they are flying on American Airlines.
Obviously, AA Platinum and higher could access the Galleries Club when they are flying with another oneworld partner as well. |
Originally Posted by ISTFlyer
(Post 32980838)
Yes, Admirals Club members could use the Galleries Club in Terminal 5 solely when they are flying on American Airlines.
Obviously, AA Platinum and higher could access the Galleries Club when they are flying with another oneworld partner as well. |
Today I showed up about an hour before my flight at the Admirals Club in San Francisco. The new terminal is very nice, and the new Admirals Club is beautiful. Good views of the tarmac, great places to sit, and an amazing staff. Once I got upstairs, a very friendly agent asked if I had been at the lounge before. When I said no, she gave me an overview of the layout and explained where everything was located. She was exceptionally friendly. The bartenders were also very friendly. I had a nice, long conversation with one of them about travel, and they truly made me feel welcome. There were only three other people in the lounge in San Francisco while I was there. I got some avocado toast, some other snacks, and a couple of drinks. When I ordered a tequila sunrise, bartender suggested I try it with pineapple juice. I did, and it was great. Tequila and pineapple juice might be a new go to drink. Considering the gratis tequila situation, there is still free tequila available in San Francisco.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4c57d8ba29.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8df3233548.jpg After a short, but very nice flight down to Los Angeles on Skybest, I decided to take a very short visit to the club in Los Angeles. Whenever I checked in, the agent explained the restricted service. I told her that was fine, and I walked upstairs. A friendly agent seated me and asked if I wanted something to drink. Apparently, Los Angeles does not to have any more complimentary tequila. I ordered a double vodka tonic instead, and I said yes when she asked if I wanted a snack bag. She brought me my snack bag and drink very quickly. I didn't have much time, so I ate some cheese and crackers and chugged my cocktail. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...67d94a4fc9.jpg My flight into Phoenix appeared to be one of the first of the flight Bank. Phoenix was very empty, and the lounge was quite empty whenever I arrived. While I was sitting in the lounge, I observed several flights coming in for the evening bank, and it became a bit more busy. The bartender was very friendly, and she made my visit quite enjoyable. Phoenix did not have any complimentary tequila. The bartender explained that tequila and Scotch would no longer be complementary. So I guess that is The New Normal. Upgraded vodka and whiskey, but if you like scotch or tequila then you can just go take a s*** in the bathroom and eat it. She served me multiple drinks, and I enjoyed the guacamole, soup, and snack options. Overall, I was very pleased with my experiences in the three Admirals clubs today. I only wish they had complimentary tequila. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5501720daf.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...357b88ebbd.jpg |
Originally Posted by thunderdeacon
(Post 32988017)
...but if you like scotch or tequila then you can just go take a s*** in the bathroom and eat it.
Seriously, thanks for sharing the pics/update on SFO. With the "upgraded" stock running low, AA's got to be prepping an order from McCormick Distilling to restock the wells in the ACs (sans tequila, of course). |
Originally Posted by thunderdeacon
(Post 32988017)
the bartender explained that tequila and scotch would no longer be complementary. So i guess that is the new normal. Upgraded vodka and whiskey, but if you like scotch or tequila then you can just go take a s*** in the bathroom and eat it.... I only wish they had complimentary tequila
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