I’m at jfk right now, and they appear to be having a press event for the new na spaces in t8

The admirals club adjacent to the flagship lounge closes at the end of the day tomorrow to become part of the flagship lounge again, the ba lounge opens December 1!

Great news and update thank you @donotblink! Any Pics?

the construction doors were still up, in the lounge there were only letting invited press through into the spaces. There were lots of public relations staff standing around.

Yes today appears to be the first look day!

Fyi it is being extensively covered here, including the criteria, which is also largely based on an entrance sign that I saw on twitter.

Naturally in true AA fashion, there is now this “flagship” and “non-flagship” itinerary qualifier. Unless AA releases concrete guidance, I’m going to assume that these are the existing rules around when one can access the FLs etc. purely using status on international itineraries (e.g., a trip to the Caribbean gets you AC, not FL, but flying to Europe qualifies as it is long-haul).

It looks like the two top lounges (Chelsea and Soho) are no longer self-serve drinks meaning people have to wait inline for service. I hate that as if you get behind someone who wants a complicated cocktail, it can take 2-3 minutes. If you just want wine and are in a hurry to get some work done, it's frustrating. Anyone know if the Greenwich lounge is still self-service?

BA lounges are typically self-serve so it's strange AA/BA chose this route for the combined premium lounges.

I totally agree. Perhaps they’ll have a QF F lounge set up with some self service areas? My hunch is that Greenwich will remain self-service and they’ll make use of the former FFD bar in some capacity (how it was used when the lounge was open as an AC in the summer of ‘21).

Detailed review here
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/american-british-airways-jfk-lounges/

So essentially four lounge tiers.
Chelsea - Actual First (like the Concorde Room)
SoHo - Emerald
Greenwich - Business or Sapphire lounge
Admirals Club (now only in Concourse C).
(With a few deviations for AA cardholders)

Chelsea the only one with a full dining experience, but windowless.
Food options in SoHo and Greenwich appear similar and more limited (Salads, Yoghurt, Charcuterie and a few hot dishes)
Greenwich lounge incorporates the old Flagship, Flagship Dining and Admiral's Councourse A lounge.

Interesting naming that incorporates locals in both NY and London.

I was in the FL lounge today (Nov 29, 2022) from 12:30pm to 2pm. Then over at the Admiral's club.
WiFi was completely out and was told it would not be back until Thursday. Hence you need to go to Admiral's.
No sign indicating such - as multiple people independently going to check in desk to inquire.

No sign of any special activity in the afternoon. The agents did not know much about the rules. Said best to just scan your boarding pass.

The FL is in a deteriorating state - some showers are out of order. One I used the shower could not be turned off - constant continuous drip. The open vacant/occupied labels in the door lock are scrapped off. Getting run down look.

Not sure if AA Emerald will get access to SoHo or even Greenwich if flying Y or PE. Above reference from pointsguy implies Emerald on Flagship "route" so that implies you do in Y and PE.

Yea, as an AA EXP or PLT Pro you will of course have access to Soho as long as you have a same day departure, in any class of service, to any of the eligible long haul destinations like Europe, Asia, deep SA, etc.

Basically as an AA Emerald flying through JFK if you previously had access to the Flagship Lounge you will now have access to Soho.

It will be interesting to see how they differentiate Soho and Greenwich.

Chelsea lounge looks snazzy makes me want to upgrade from biz to F on an upcoming JFK-GRU flight rather than hang with the rif-raf (me included) in Greenwich. :D .

Snazzy indeed but no windows or view is a major :td: in my book.

Any news yet if these can be used on arrival from an AA long-haul flight? Will be arriving in Flagship First from GRU. I'll have a domestic leg after that on a separate ticket, but in the past separate tickets didn't matter.

Flying out today to GRU just in economy but Qatar Platinum. Will be interetsing to see what happens with the whole checkin and lounge experience.

Their access page is not consistent. One one hand it doesn't stipulate departing/arriving for access when on an F/J fare. It just says "Get access if you’re traveling in First or Business on a qualifying same-day international, transcontinental or other domestic flight marketed and operated by American, a oneworld® airline or marketed by JetBlue and operated by American."

But for those who have status that allows access, regardless of ticketed cabin, it clearly states: "Get access if you’re departing, arriving or connecting on a qualifying same-day international flight marketed and operated by American, a oneworld®airline or marketed by JetBlue and operated by American."

You should get it if you've arrived in Flagship J/F or are one of the specified status levels.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...hip-lounge.jsp

Folks nothing is changing with regards to access.

With status or in F/J arriving off a qualifying long haul flight and connecting to another AA flight you can of course use these lounges.

The only thing different than before is now there's a separate lounge for Emeralds, but access rules haven't changed.