Jun 1, 2020, 4:17 pm
Last edit by: AAway
Admirals Clubs began opening 22 June 2020. (Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining have no immediate plans for reopening.)
Link to AA lounge changes and updates page
As of May 7, 2021:
We adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and use enhanced cleaning measures throughout our clubs.
You're required to wear a face covering in the club, but you may briefly lift or lower it while eating or drinking.
Seating in these clubs is also not available at this time.
The official notification from AA on 4 Jun 2020 (link):
“American Airlines will begin reopening Admirals Club lounges in phases, beginning June 22, after making improvements to adapt the clubs and product offerings to reinforce the well-being of customers and everyone who works in the clubs. See post 61 for a recent Club experience.
The following locations (did) open June 22 with pre-packaged snack offerings and a full-service bar for customers to enjoy complimentary and premium beverages. Hours vary by location and capacity and offerings could be limited due to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines or local orders or restrictions. List updated 15 July 2020. Link to Club openings, changes.
As food and beverages are served again, these are discussed in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ug-2020-a.html
.
Food and drink service
As we begin to reopen, we'll have modified food and drink service. Here is what you can expect: (link to Club f&b thread)
.The following safety actions have been taken.
Link to archived 2020 posts from this thread.
Link to AA lounge changes and updates page
As of May 7, 2021:
An update on our lounges
Admirals Club® lounges are reopening in phases with new improvements to reinforce your well-being.We adhere to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and use enhanced cleaning measures throughout our clubs.
You're required to wear a face covering in the club, but you may briefly lift or lower it while eating or drinking.
Reopened clubs
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Austin (AUS) – Gate 22
- Boston (BOS) – Terminal B
- Charlotte (CLT) – Concourses B and C
- Chicago O'Hare (ORD) – Concourse H/K; Concourse G (re-opened August 2021); and Concourse L (re-opened July 2021)
- Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) – Terminals A, B, C, D, and E
- Denver (DEN) – Concourse A
- Houston Intercontinental (IAH) – Terminal A
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Terminal 4, Terminal 5 and Eagle Regional Terminal
- Mexico City / CDMX (MEX)
- Miami (MIA) – Gates D15, D30
- Nashville (BNA) – Concourse C
- New York Kennedy (JFK) – Terminal 8 (in the Flagship® Lounge)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA) – Concourse D
- Orange County (SNA) – Gate 8
- Orlando (MCO) – Gate 55
- Paris, France (CDG)
- Philadelphia (PHL) – Terminals B/C
- Phoenix (PHX) – Gate A7 and B5
- Raleigh / Durham (RDU) – Terminal 2
- San Francisco (SFO) – Terminal 1
- São Paulo (GRU)
- St. Louis (STL) – Concourse C (Only open Monday - Friday 5am-6:30pm)
- Tampa (TPA) – Gate 85
- Washington Reagan (DCA) – Terminal B & C
- Buenos Aires (EZE) - In front of Gate 8 - Terminal A
Clubs reopening as service centers
These locations are open as service centers and are available to offer travel assistance:- Pittsburgh (PIT) – Main Lobby
Seating in these clubs is also not available at this time.
Temporarily closed Admirals Clubs
- Honolulu (HNL)
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Miami (MIA) – Gates E
- Newark (EWR)
- Philadelphia (PHL) – Terminal A and F
- Phoenix (PHX) – Gate A19
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG)
- Toronto, Canada (YYZ)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW)
- London Heathrow (LHR) – International First Class Lounge
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York Kennedy (JFK)
- DFW
- LAX
- MIA
- JFK
The official notification from AA on 4 Jun 2020 (link):
“American Airlines will begin reopening Admirals Club lounges in phases, beginning June 22, after making improvements to adapt the clubs and product offerings to reinforce the well-being of customers and everyone who works in the clubs. See post 61 for a recent Club experience.
The following locations (did) open June 22 with pre-packaged snack offerings and a full-service bar for customers to enjoy complimentary and premium beverages. Hours vary by location and capacity and offerings could be limited due to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines or local orders or restrictions. List updated 15 July 2020. Link to Club openings, changes.
As food and beverages are served again, these are discussed in https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ug-2020-a.html
.
Food and drink service
As we begin to reopen, we'll have modified food and drink service. Here is what you can expect: (link to Club f&b thread)
- Complimentary pre-packaged snacks
- Disposable, single-use glassware
- Full-service bar
- Touchless menus with signage and QR codes. Physical menus will be available upon request.
- Self-serve areas will remain closed for now.
.The following safety actions have been taken.
- Plexiglass shields at reception and service desks.
- Foot-operated door openers to enable touchless operation of restroom doors (where feasible).
- Hand sanitizer stations for customers.
- Signage and floor decals to remind customers to practice social distancing.
Link to archived 2020 posts from this thread.
Admirals Club / Lounges: Openings, Closures, etc. 2021-2022
Jan 5, 2021, 9:55 pm
#1
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Admirals Club / Lounges: Openings, Closures, etc. 2021-2022
LAX is open again albeit with limited service. At 7:30am this morning, 2 AAgents downstairs checking credentials for access. No self serve anything, not even hermetically sealed packaged stuff. Surreal experience as I was personally escorted from the 2nd floor lobby to the club, given an explanation of the limited service and that no outside food is permitted. And that "masks must be worn at all times, even between bites or sips". LOL. Once in the club proper, I was asked where I'd like to sit, lounge side or bar side and then escorted again to my chosen seating area. As soon as I sat down, two servers came over, one offering and then delivering a snack bag and then bar staff inquiring about a drink order. Hands down the most attentive service in any Admirals Club anywhere.
Hey, better than nothing... I guess.
Hey, better than nothing... I guess.
Jan 5, 2021, 11:03 pm
#2
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Jan 6, 2021, 6:10 am
#3
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A couple of updates:
- ATL: Stopped in for a swipe at the service center yesterday afternoon. They do keep coffee out for members. The agent at the desk said they've been told they'll reopen April. He said the word is the demand is still there and they are looking forward to reopening
- CLT: The bar sells food again in addition to the complimentary options:
It's not an extensive menu but the prices are competitive to the terminal. I had the chicken Caesar salad which was decent and also ready in 4 minutes. If you're familiar with CLT and their long lines at the restaurants you'll know why being able to relax and not stand in line was worth it to me.
- ATL: Stopped in for a swipe at the service center yesterday afternoon. They do keep coffee out for members. The agent at the desk said they've been told they'll reopen April. He said the word is the demand is still there and they are looking forward to reopening
- CLT: The bar sells food again in addition to the complimentary options:
It's not an extensive menu but the prices are competitive to the terminal. I had the chicken Caesar salad which was decent and also ready in 4 minutes. If you're familiar with CLT and their long lines at the restaurants you'll know why being able to relax and not stand in line was worth it to me.
Jan 7, 2021, 10:58 pm
#4
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PIT Admirals Club still basically closed except for rebooking assistance. Pleasant AAngel scanned my BP ("to let AA know there is demand") and offered chocolates. 
In contrast, The Club was open albeit with limited cold food selections. But excellent service and now greatly expanded from my last visit about a year ago. The Club is now now larger than the AC and head and shoulders better than pre-COVID AC. I would recommend just going there instead of the AC unless you need rebooking assistance.
In contrast, The Club was open albeit with limited cold food selections. But excellent service and now greatly expanded from my last visit about a year ago. The Club is now now larger than the AC and head and shoulders better than pre-COVID AC. I would recommend just going there instead of the AC unless you need rebooking assistance.
Last edited by SFO777; Jan 8, 2021 at 7:12 am
Jan 8, 2021, 7:53 am
#5
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Essentially the LAX AC is operating like the other ACs did when they re-opened last year. Limited food and beverage and escorting to seats. I'm at the LAX AC now and it is totally dead. Normally this place would be packed to the gills at this time of morning. Luckily I'm in J on the 773 back to Miami.
OT but I stayed at a 4 star hotel in what was a business district. What I saw in that area (went for a walk) and what I saw in the hotel, as well as chatting with the hotel manager was astounding. Happy to be going back to Florida.
OT but I stayed at a 4 star hotel in what was a business district. What I saw in that area (went for a walk) and what I saw in the hotel, as well as chatting with the hotel manager was astounding. Happy to be going back to Florida.
Jan 8, 2021, 9:29 am
#6
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Essentially the LAX AC is operating like the other ACs did when they re-opened last year. Limited food and beverage and escorting to seats. I'm at the LAX AC now and it is totally dead. Normally this place would be packed to the gills at this time of morning. Luckily I'm in J on the 773 back to Miami.
OT but I stayed at a 4 star hotel in what was a business district. What I saw in that area (went for a walk) and what I saw in the hotel, as well as chatting with the hotel manager was astounding. Happy to be going back to Florida.
OT but I stayed at a 4 star hotel in what was a business district. What I saw in that area (went for a walk) and what I saw in the hotel, as well as chatting with the hotel manager was astounding. Happy to be going back to Florida.
Jan 9, 2021, 7:13 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
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Posts: 7,374
Very quiet this am at SFO, more staff than guests. Plates, napkins, and cutlery together with scrambled eggs (with toppings) and what looked to be oatmeal behind the bar, served on request. Usual self serve food included hard boiled eggs, yogurt, cut fruit, breads and spreads, mostly in individual sealed containers. Only coffee for me, didn't check out the alcohol selection.
Jan 9, 2021, 4:17 pm
#9
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FFD on the other hand, might very well be at high risk of demise IMHO
Regards
Jan 9, 2021, 4:42 pm
#10
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I don't think the Flagship Lounges are at risk of "demise" but I can't foresee them being reopened until there is sufficient, paying demand for long haul international travel. Summer is an eternity away in "covid time."
FFD on the other hand, might very well be at high risk of demise IMHO
Regards
FFD on the other hand, might very well be at high risk of demise IMHO
Regards
FFD, if it reopens, probably similar. When FC goes above YY% (and FL open) we open FFD.
It would be a shame if FFD closed permanently. If it does, I think it is likely AA FC goes away as well.
The other factor - later on - will be OW partners. They count on the FL as part of their "experience". I can see a partner push to open them at some point. But, again, traffic needs to go way up and COVID cases go way down.
Jan 9, 2021, 5:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
Probably a pretty simple equation... when INT traffic gets above XX% we open FL.
FFD, if it reopens, probably similar. When FC goes above YY% (and FL open) we open FFD.
It would be a shame if FFD closed permanently. If it does, I think it is likely AA FC goes away as well.
The other factor - later on - will be OW partners. They count on the FL as part of their "experience". I can see a partner push to open them at some point. But, again, traffic needs to go way up and COVID cases go way down.
FFD, if it reopens, probably similar. When FC goes above YY% (and FL open) we open FFD.
It would be a shame if FFD closed permanently. If it does, I think it is likely AA FC goes away as well.
The other factor - later on - will be OW partners. They count on the FL as part of their "experience". I can see a partner push to open them at some point. But, again, traffic needs to go way up and COVID cases go way down.
Jan 9, 2021, 5:43 pm
#12
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Now, more importantly, has anyone heard a peep about the HNL lounge situation?
Jan 10, 2021, 5:12 am
#13
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Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
FFD is a different conversation.
AA has reduced its FC footprint.
AA recently ordered A321XLR's - no FC.
AA has several 787s being delivered this year. - no FC.
Last I looked, no additional 77W's were being delivered in the next year, leaving FC the same.
So currently, ~110+ widebodies without FC, 20 with FC. More widebodies without FC (plus A321XLRs) coming online in the next few years.
What will happen? who knows. But this is FT... full of flyers... on the ground... speculation is all we have!
Jan 10, 2021, 5:58 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2021
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I think FL's will remain because it caters to business as well. FC was always there but globally its footprint is declining. Many airlines don't see the point in offering a separate cabin that only few people would care about/pay more for. It is however, unique. It is something that no other airline has between LA-NY and in some cases, internationally. FFD was never a thing until fairly recently so you'd think it could only work 'in the good times'. And we won't be back to 'good times' for several years. The real question is whether customers value FFD and FC to begin with. I think it was mildly impressive to get that kind of service/product in the US, add on the 'five star service' and you've got a compelling product but will they lose customers over it? I doubt it. Look at it from AA's perspective through the US Airways merger and how they've waited years to integrate everything. This was only meant to be the beginning but things have reversed to the point that AA should be the last airline offering such lavish perks
Jan 10, 2021, 6:37 am
#15
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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?
Finally, FFD physical spaces have been chronically under utilized, again prior to the pandemic, because of the above. Several AA hubs that had FFD in development ended up seeing a reduction in first class flights from said hubs. Now, does that mean they are going away, who knows but it's quite possible. It's not an inexpensive service for AA to offer. And certainly, the fact that AA has chosen to liquidate the higher end wine/champagne that is on offer in the FFD (when they could easily have continued to cellar it until reopening) is an interesting data point.
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