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-   -   Admirals Club / Lounges: Openings, Closures, etc. 2021-2022 (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/2018806-admirals-club-lounges-openings-closures-etc-2021-2022-a.html)

SFO777 Jan 5, 2021 9:55 pm

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.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...93bd3a563e.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...afc7b41a98.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a5fb1b83b5.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...62c4222d3d.jpg

Hey, better than nothing... I guess.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4b5b138e32.jpg

NYC Flyer Jan 5, 2021 11:03 pm


Originally Posted by SFO777 (Post 32942286)
LAX is open again albeit with limited service.

Thanks for the update. Hope DL, Amex et al. quickly adapt as well. The current service protocol seems pretty much like how the clubs were operating when they first re-opened.

CMK10 Jan 6, 2021 6:10 am

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:

https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/Fl...IMG_6166-L.jpg

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.

SFO777 Jan 7, 2021 10:58 pm

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. :tu:

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.

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George Jan 8, 2021 7:53 am

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.

PDXPremier Jan 8, 2021 9:29 am


Originally Posted by MiamiAirport Formerly NY George (Post 32950481)
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.

A tale of two states....lol.....

MileTrek Jan 8, 2021 9:12 pm

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

work2fly Jan 9, 2021 7:13 am

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.

scubadu Jan 9, 2021 4:17 pm


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

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

Global321 Jan 9, 2021 4:42 pm


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 scubadu (Post 32954820)
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

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.

LovePrunes Jan 9, 2021 5:05 pm


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 Global321 (Post 32954891)
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.

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?

Eastbay1K Jan 9, 2021 5:43 pm


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?

You are missing the obvious. FT is a cesspool of spekyulashens and panniks and would only have a frackshen of the post counts if rashenel thought went into some posts.

Now, more importantly, has anyone heard a peep about the HNL lounge situation?

Global321 Jan 10, 2021 5:12 am


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 don't believe anyone thinks FL is going away.

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! :)

MileTrek Jan 10, 2021 5:58 am


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 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

scubadu Jan 10, 2021 6:37 am


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?

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?

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


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