New Flagship Check-in, Lounges open at JFK
Dec 18, 2022, 7:29 pm
#136
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM Gold, AA Ex Plat, SPG Plat,Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 992
I definitely saw a big difference this evening at the former Flagship lounge at around 8pm , usually it was very nice and not too crowded at that time but it was really packed to the gills had to wait for a seat
going to have to start upgrading on the Jfk-Lax to First to use the Soho lounge in the future haha
going to have to start upgrading on the Jfk-Lax to First to use the Soho lounge in the future haha
Dec 18, 2022, 8:17 pm
#137
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
I definitely saw a big difference this evening at the former Flagship lounge at around 8pm , usually it was very nice and not too crowded at that time but it was really packed to the gills had to wait for a seat
going to have to start upgrading on the Jfk-Lax to First to use the Soho lounge in the future haha
going to have to start upgrading on the Jfk-Lax to First to use the Soho lounge in the future haha
Dec 18, 2022, 11:29 pm
#140
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
i've done premium check in on Cathay in Hong Kong when flying to JFK first class
Still mystified why "premium check in" is considered such a benefit as to be singled out as a perk, let alone needing a "review." (not meant as an insult, i'm just trying to understand.)
Yeah it's different and exclusive, but as an "experience" its so contrived. Oooooh maybe there are chairs...And a WALL. nicccccce. Really no better than a lobby at a hotel.
i mean really, the whole thing may last 5 minutes wherever you check in, even if you're among the great unwashed masses of humanity in biz or coach.
Why is this really "a thing" people care about? It's a big yawn for me. I'm just thinking about the long time in the lounge I'll get after checking my luggage, or the 10-15 hours in the air as an experience worth thinking about, certainly not the checking in.
what am i mising amidst the hype?
Still mystified why "premium check in" is considered such a benefit as to be singled out as a perk, let alone needing a "review." (not meant as an insult, i'm just trying to understand.)
Yeah it's different and exclusive, but as an "experience" its so contrived. Oooooh maybe there are chairs...And a WALL. nicccccce. Really no better than a lobby at a hotel.
i mean really, the whole thing may last 5 minutes wherever you check in, even if you're among the great unwashed masses of humanity in biz or coach.
Why is this really "a thing" people care about? It's a big yawn for me. I'm just thinking about the long time in the lounge I'll get after checking my luggage, or the 10-15 hours in the air as an experience worth thinking about, certainly not the checking in.
what am i mising amidst the hype?
With that said, it's about the exclusivity and making things more elevated than typical airport experience, and taking a page from luxury hotels: Sit down to check in, having a porter taking your bags, and front of the line access to security. The only thing missing are the old ticket holders and lounge invitations.
Dec 20, 2022, 1:20 pm
#142
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,155
I posted my “review” of Soho on the BA forum, but a few items relevant for this group.
- No pushback entering the premium check in when stating that I’m an EP on an international itinerary. It dumps you by TSA where the old Flagship dumped you. It was also 10:30 am and not “prime time”.
- Scanned my domestic BP (lead in sector for the international flight - same PNR), and after about 30 seconds, I was welcomed in.
- No pushback entering the premium check in when stating that I’m an EP on an international itinerary. It dumps you by TSA where the old Flagship dumped you. It was also 10:30 am and not “prime time”.
- Scanned my domestic BP (lead in sector for the international flight - same PNR), and after about 30 seconds, I was welcomed in.
Dec 21, 2022, 7:21 pm
#143
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, WOH Globalist
Posts: 1,160
EXP flying IB J
Am I correct in assuming that an AA EXP flying IB J would have access to Soho and could bring along a non-status companion also flying IB J?
Also could we use Flagship check-in once we have boarding passes just to skip to the front of the security line?
Thanks
Also could we use Flagship check-in once we have boarding passes just to skip to the front of the security line?
Thanks
Dec 21, 2022, 7:34 pm
#144
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Yes and yes. Not sure what you mean by “skip to the front of the line.” You can go through Flagship Checkin (or whatever it’s called now) and go to security through whatever line that feeds into. You can't cut in front of any line.
Last edited by BlooJoo; Dec 22, 2022 at 8:11 am
Dec 21, 2022, 8:09 pm
#145
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/NYC/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
First time through JFK today post BA integration. What a mess. I went into the "flagship checkin and it was lines galore. I tagged my own bag to move things along, not exactly a premium experience. I only had access to the Greenwich (business) lounge and it feels like quite a downgrade versus the previous flagship lounge offerings.
How does Soho (or whatever the emerald lounge is) compare to the previous flagship?
How does Soho (or whatever the emerald lounge is) compare to the previous flagship?
Dec 22, 2022, 2:04 am
#146
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,155
First time through JFK today post BA integration. What a mess. I went into the "flagship checkin and it was lines galore. I tagged my own bag to move things along, not exactly a premium experience. I only had access to the Greenwich (business) lounge and it feels like quite a downgrade versus the previous flagship lounge offerings.
How does Soho (or whatever the emerald lounge is) compare to the previous flagship?
How does Soho (or whatever the emerald lounge is) compare to the previous flagship?
I visited Soho in the late morning / early afternoon so not a representative sample how it would be during TATL peak times, but it’s a bit of a nicer space with the furniture, layout etc. Based on reports from peak times, it seems equally as overrun (worse than the legacy FL) and the F&B seem to currently be very similar, outside of being able to do table ordering in certain areas. (Example, despite blogger reviews, Piper is on offer versus some sort of elevated champagne.)
There is also a bar versus self-service. I’d personally like to see a self-service option (even if just for wine and champagne) as having a few bartenders to serve that volume of people seems like a disaster. It’s a nice premium touch, but it shouldn’t be the only option. It appears they’re equipped for it, and they have counterspace for the liquor:
Dec 22, 2022, 5:09 am
#147
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium,
Posts: 244
HI guys, quick question, I will be flying on Flagship Transcon First red eye from LAX into JFK, then connecting to MIA, do I get to use the FL lounge during my connection time at JFK? THX. (sorry if I posted in the wrong thread)
Dec 22, 2022, 5:20 am
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,666
My understanding is that there is no TSA-pre through the flagship check in? So, if you have have done OLCI and you are HBO, is it even worth it going via the flagship check in? Or is there a TSA pre line outside that can move faster?
Dec 22, 2022, 5:37 am
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Yes, coming off LAX-JFK in F you can use either Chelsea or Soho at JFK (there is no more Flagship Lounge).