Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining to start reopening September 2021
Sep 10, 2021, 3:18 pm
#166
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,703
For trip planning purposes, it's important to know when FFD dining facilities will be open. During pre-pandemic times both LAX and JFK were open pretty much throughout the day, while MIA didn't open until 2 pm or so. But back then, there were no regular 3-class flights between MIA and LAX. Now there are, at least temporarily, and in Nov/Dec one of them leaves before 2 pm. Any guesses as to whether FFD MIA will open by 11:30 or noon this time, to accommodate the subject flight? I figure they won't accommodate it...what do you guys think?
Sep 10, 2021, 3:36 pm
#167
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 632
Good point, I am on the 3:45 MIA-LAX in Oct. Even if it opened at 2 I could choke down a cheeseburger and some champagne before boarding, but I hope they are open at lunch time so it could be more leisurely. I had a nice long lunch at the JFK location in 2019 I was hoping to replicate.
Sep 10, 2021, 3:57 pm
#168
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
In October I believe its 6 x a day 77W's with 2 before the old 2pm opening time . I would hope they would accommodate but my guess would be No. Figure they open it at the old 2pm ish tme and are covered for the London 77W and the one 77W GRu and the 3 or so evening 77W's to LA. I'm flying in from LA and cant wait to use it. Taking the 9am just to be safe and land at 5pm Would prefer the 11am 77W but worried maybe a little delay and possibly the kitchen closes on the early side since only 1 not 2 77W's to London & GRU..
Sep 10, 2021, 4:45 pm
#169
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ORD, sadly...
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 599
Like everything at AA, it will depend on the AAgent. FWIW, I got into FFD in DFW on a LAX-JFK boarding pass back in 2019. Separate PNR.
Sep 10, 2021, 7:56 pm
#170
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,703
I wont be taking no for an answer. Waited so long for FFD. I also think once I get past the downstairs dragons (although more like they are incompetent at MIA than rude & difficult) I will be fine to get into FFD. I can discuss upstairs and explain that FFD is allowed on arrival. Of course this actually does not exist in writing anywhere.
But sure yes at MIA it always worries me but hoping it wont be a problem or fight.
If ya all. read about someone going crazy at MIA FL for not being allowed into FFD at 5pm on the 2nd Wednesday in October its me
Sep 10, 2021, 8:18 pm
#172
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,703
Absolutely should be FFD upon arrival
Also the $89 is for MC not sure what that has to do with FF
Sep 11, 2021, 1:23 am
#173
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
FWIW, pre-COVID I never had an issue getting into LAX FFD after arriving JFK-LAX F. Sometimes I had an onward connection on AA, but mostly it was a non-OW connections or I was staying in LAX and just wanted a good nightcap before heading to my hotel. Hardly freeloading on a $1500+ ticket (usually paid-J upgraded to F), in my opinion.
-FlyerBeek
Sep 11, 2021, 2:08 am
#174
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,703
Really? What $89 fares are granting FFD access?
FWIW, pre-COVID I never had an issue getting into LAX FFD after arriving JFK-LAX F. Sometimes I had an onward connection on AA, but mostly it was a non-OW connections or I was staying in LAX and just wanted a good nightcap before heading to my hotel. Hardly freeloading on a $1500+ ticket (usually paid-J upgraded to F), in my opinion.
-FlyerBeek
FWIW, pre-COVID I never had an issue getting into LAX FFD after arriving JFK-LAX F. Sometimes I had an onward connection on AA, but mostly it was a non-OW connections or I was staying in LAX and just wanted a good nightcap before heading to my hotel. Hardly freeloading on a $1500+ ticket (usually paid-J upgraded to F), in my opinion.
-FlyerBeek
But the issue on the arrival entry really is just MIA it seems. Never had an issue arriving Lax or Jfk. Sometimes maybe at Lax going to Dfw to catch an F to LHR I have to have a quick chat or make sure of course I show the Dfw Bp. My issues outside of QF F at Lax or always at MIA.
Sep 13, 2021, 5:34 pm
#176
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,159
What are/were the actual mechanics of FFD access -- the steps and gatekeepers (assuming you're eligible)? Obviously the first step is to get into the FL.
At MIA and LAX, where the initial dragons guarded both AC and FL, they handed a special card to those allowed in the FL (then the secondary FL dragons simply took the card). Would those same initial dragons also adjudicate FFD and provide some additional credential? Likewise, at JFK where the FL was separate and the entrance dragons were checking only FL access, would they adjudicate FFD at the same time?
Now, you get to the FFD door and face the final dragon. What exactly do they need to see? Are they checking your boarding pass details from scratch, or checking some token you got at an earlier stage? If there's a physical token that they take from you, how do you reenter if your layover is long enough for two meals?
These questions can be important so you know at what point to ask for an FFD invitation if it isn't proactively offered. Hoping some folks remember how it used to work and that will be a good guess of how it works on reopening.
At MIA and LAX, where the initial dragons guarded both AC and FL, they handed a special card to those allowed in the FL (then the secondary FL dragons simply took the card). Would those same initial dragons also adjudicate FFD and provide some additional credential? Likewise, at JFK where the FL was separate and the entrance dragons were checking only FL access, would they adjudicate FFD at the same time?
Now, you get to the FFD door and face the final dragon. What exactly do they need to see? Are they checking your boarding pass details from scratch, or checking some token you got at an earlier stage? If there's a physical token that they take from you, how do you reenter if your layover is long enough for two meals?
These questions can be important so you know at what point to ask for an FFD invitation if it isn't proactively offered. Hoping some folks remember how it used to work and that will be a good guess of how it works on reopening.
Sep 13, 2021, 5:37 pm
#177
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: ORD/LHR
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, 1MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,295
Just received this email from AA:
Projected opening schedule
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 8
- Flagship Lounge: Sept. 14
- Flagship First Dining: Sept. 16
- Miami International Airport (MIA) Concourse D
- Flagship Lounge: Sept. 28
- Flagship First Dining: Sept. 30
Sep 13, 2021, 6:04 pm
#180
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,703
What are/were the actual mechanics of FFD access -- the steps and gatekeepers (assuming you're eligible)? Obviously the first step is to get into the FL.
At MIA and LAX, where the initial dragons guarded both AC and FL, they handed a special card to those allowed in the FL (then the secondary FL dragons simply took the card). Would those same initial dragons also adjudicate FFD and provide some additional credential? Likewise, at JFK where the FL was separate and the entrance dragons were checking only FL access, would they adjudicate FFD at the same time?
Now, you get to the FFD door and face the final dragon. What exactly do they need to see? Are they checking your boarding pass details from scratch, or checking some token you got at an earlier stage? If there's a physical token that they take from you, how do you reenter if your layover is long enough for two meals?
These questions can be important so you know at what point to ask for an FFD invitation if it isn't proactively offered. Hoping some folks remember how it used to work and that will be a good guess of how it works on reopening.
At MIA and LAX, where the initial dragons guarded both AC and FL, they handed a special card to those allowed in the FL (then the secondary FL dragons simply took the card). Would those same initial dragons also adjudicate FFD and provide some additional credential? Likewise, at JFK where the FL was separate and the entrance dragons were checking only FL access, would they adjudicate FFD at the same time?
Now, you get to the FFD door and face the final dragon. What exactly do they need to see? Are they checking your boarding pass details from scratch, or checking some token you got at an earlier stage? If there's a physical token that they take from you, how do you reenter if your layover is long enough for two meals?
These questions can be important so you know at what point to ask for an FFD invitation if it isn't proactively offered. Hoping some folks remember how it used to work and that will be a good guess of how it works on reopening.