American Airlines will build a new 15,000-square-foot lounge in Austin
Nov 17, 21, 10:40 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
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Originally Posted by Check
Won't it be the same as the other Admiral's Clubs?
I mean literally the same. They just ritualistically move the ancient carrots and celery around between clubs instead of replacing them.
I mean literally the same. They just ritualistically move the ancient carrots and celery around between clubs instead of replacing them.
At least the coffee is decent now. I still have nightmares about those Nescafe Milano "coffee" machines.
Nov 17, 21, 11:26 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: AA EXP, LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,563
Originally Posted by mia
I think AA's decision to build a new lounge may change this, because the current AA space should become available, perhaps in addition to the space that AUS bid out for the un-awarded contract? American Express could open a real Centurion Lounge, they don't have to work through Escape.
Nov 17, 21, 12:08 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2021
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hilton HHonors Silver, Hertz Gold Status.
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Originally Posted by AndyKehn
Now that Centurion is off the table for AUS, my only hope is for PP to partner with salt lick... the only good lounge in AUS is SkyClub.
Nov 17, 21, 1:08 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, DL Gold, HH Gold, MMRRT Plat
Posts: 874
I don't understand why this is needed in AUS. Maybe expand the current lounge by another 5,000sqft? But I will say that I'm surprised they aren't putting that money into other markets.
-I feel like an upgrade to existing PHL/CLT lounges would be better warranted (adding showers to CLT seems like a no-brainer).
-Why not add FFD to ORD's FL? (Using existing Sq footage)
-Why not put another AC closer to D gates at LGA?
-Improve AC's at LAX/SFO
-Improve the MIA flagship check-in experience (it looks like an outdated Bank of America) and/or hire security in MIA to punch back at unruly pax (lol)
I can think of a lot of other markets than AUS that could benefit from improvements given the business that flies out of the other locations mentioned. I'm not saying pluck 15k sqft facilities in these markets, but maybe dish out some improvements elsewhere, than a major upgrade to an otherwise, and relatively, smaller market.
-I feel like an upgrade to existing PHL/CLT lounges would be better warranted (adding showers to CLT seems like a no-brainer).
-Why not add FFD to ORD's FL? (Using existing Sq footage)
-Why not put another AC closer to D gates at LGA?
-Improve AC's at LAX/SFO
-Improve the MIA flagship check-in experience (it looks like an outdated Bank of America) and/or hire security in MIA to punch back at unruly pax (lol)
I can think of a lot of other markets than AUS that could benefit from improvements given the business that flies out of the other locations mentioned. I'm not saying pluck 15k sqft facilities in these markets, but maybe dish out some improvements elsewhere, than a major upgrade to an otherwise, and relatively, smaller market.
Nov 17, 21, 1:56 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 5,858
Originally Posted by GlobalMatt
I don't understand why this is needed in AUS. Maybe expand the current lounge by another 5,000sqft? But I will say that I'm surprised they aren't putting that money into other markets.
-I feel like an upgrade to existing PHL/CLT lounges would be better warranted (adding showers to CLT seems like a no-brainer).
-Why not add FFD to ORD's FL? (Using existing Sq footage)
-Why not put another AC closer to D gates at LGA?
-Improve AC's at LAX/SFO
-Improve the MIA flagship check-in experience (it looks like an outdated Bank of America) and/or hire security in MIA to punch back at unruly pax (lol)
I can think of a lot of other markets than AUS that could benefit from improvements given the business that flies out of the other locations mentioned. I'm not saying pluck 15k sqft facilities in these markets, but maybe dish out some improvements elsewhere, than a major upgrade to an otherwise, and relatively, smaller market.
-I feel like an upgrade to existing PHL/CLT lounges would be better warranted (adding showers to CLT seems like a no-brainer).
-Why not add FFD to ORD's FL? (Using existing Sq footage)
-Why not put another AC closer to D gates at LGA?
-Improve AC's at LAX/SFO
-Improve the MIA flagship check-in experience (it looks like an outdated Bank of America) and/or hire security in MIA to punch back at unruly pax (lol)
I can think of a lot of other markets than AUS that could benefit from improvements given the business that flies out of the other locations mentioned. I'm not saying pluck 15k sqft facilities in these markets, but maybe dish out some improvements elsewhere, than a major upgrade to an otherwise, and relatively, smaller market.
Also, Austin is clearly expanding for AA. They probably have multiyear plans that take the AC expansion into consideration. Not saying the PHL/CLT expansions don't make sense, but isn't the SFO one practically brand new, and LAX already has 3 AC lounges.
Nov 17, 21, 2:21 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Reno, NV
Programs: NFY, AA EXP, Marriott TE
Posts: 410
Originally Posted by GlobalMatt
<snip>
I can think of a lot of other markets than AUS that could benefit from improvements given the business that flies out of the other locations mentioned. <snip>.
I can think of a lot of other markets than AUS that could benefit from improvements given the business that flies out of the other locations mentioned. <snip>.
AA added nonstop service from Reno (the Tesla battery GigaFactory is here) to AUS just for them.
All the best, James
Nov 17, 21, 6:10 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite, AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 124
Let's not forget the very real possibility of Samsung building a new fab in Taylor. I'm sure Tesla is a huge driver as well. In reality, a lot of HQ's have been or are in the process of relocating to the Austin area. I don't anticipate, given the ability to be remote, that these relocations will result in a huge influx of new residents, but it could result in a huge influx of inbound business traffic to those HQ's.
Nov 17, 21, 8:28 pm
#25
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Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Originally Posted by Check
Won't it be the same as the other Admiral's Clubs?
I mean literally the same. They just ritualistically move the ancient carrots and celery around between clubs instead of replacing them.
I mean literally the same. They just ritualistically move the ancient carrots and celery around between clubs instead of replacing them.
Originally Posted by Antarius
At least the coffee is decent now. I still have nightmares about those Nescafe Milano "coffee" machines.
Nov 17, 21, 9:55 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA "mid tier" elite | Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,327
Originally Posted by CLT
And yet the two tiny clubs at their second-largest hub in Charlotte are hopelessly overrun and crowded, with the C/D club desperately needing an upgrade. Sigh.
That's why ORD, LAX and JFK got FLs first. DFW lagged them and PHL is still not done.
Nov 28, 21, 3:26 pm
#28
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,205
Originally Posted by GlobalMatt
I don't understand why this is needed in AUS. Maybe expand the current lounge by another 5,000sqft? But I will say that I'm surprised they aren't putting that money into other markets.
-I feel like an upgrade to existing PHL/CLT lounges would be better warranted (adding showers to CLT seems like a no-brainer).
-Why not add FFD to ORD's FL? (Using existing Sq footage)
-Why not put another AC closer to D gates at LGA?
-Improve AC's at LAX/SFO
-Improve the MIA flagship check-in experience (it looks like an outdated Bank of America) and/or hire security in MIA to punch back at unruly pax (lol)
I can think of a lot of other markets than AUS that could benefit from improvements given the business that flies out of the other locations mentioned. I'm not saying pluck 15k sqft facilities in these markets, but maybe dish out some improvements elsewhere, than a major upgrade to an otherwise, and relatively, smaller market.
-I feel like an upgrade to existing PHL/CLT lounges would be better warranted (adding showers to CLT seems like a no-brainer).
-Why not add FFD to ORD's FL? (Using existing Sq footage)
-Why not put another AC closer to D gates at LGA?
-Improve AC's at LAX/SFO
-Improve the MIA flagship check-in experience (it looks like an outdated Bank of America) and/or hire security in MIA to punch back at unruly pax (lol)
I can think of a lot of other markets than AUS that could benefit from improvements given the business that flies out of the other locations mentioned. I'm not saying pluck 15k sqft facilities in these markets, but maybe dish out some improvements elsewhere, than a major upgrade to an otherwise, and relatively, smaller market.
I agree that CLT needs a makeover (I prefer the small B concourse club unless I am leaving from a far D or C gate -- much nicer and a higher staff to pax ratio than the combined C/D club).
My disappointment is that AA is not expanding into domestic cities where they should compete. MCI is opening a brand new airport next year and AA (the largest of the Big 3 there) has apparently forfeited the entire lounge space to Delta, according to local sources at the city council. BOS has a club far too small for its O & D traffic, to say nothing of the JetBlue partnership. The shared AS clubs are nice on the west coast, but is AA really content to reduce its own lounge offerings to LAX plus OC and SFO (SAN is not a real club, and LAS apparently doesn't warrant a club)?
Nov 28, 21, 8:31 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
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Posts: 6,479
Once open, customers will also be entertained by local musicians.
I agree the proposed location will be very inconvenient to AA's current gates.
Nov 28, 21, 9:04 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 2,635
Originally Posted by GlobalMatt
I don't understand why this is needed in AUS. Maybe expand the current lounge by another 5,000sqft? But I will say that I'm surprised they aren't putting that money into other markets.
