Jun 12, 2013, 10:25 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Located within the Terminal 4 Gate 40 Admirals Club
Link to LAX information on aa.com.
Link to LAX web site.
NOTE: The Flagship Lounge reopened December 2017, as part of the extensive renovations at the LAX Club and Lounge, including expanding food offerings. The Flagship Lounge is now a First and Business class lounge. Inside the Flagship Lounge is a Flagship First Dining room. Flagship First Dining is restricted to those in Flagship First class on qualifying flights that also sell business class.
Location:
Airside, after security, across from Gate 40. Enter through the Admirals Club admit desk, request Flagship Lounge key card if qualified but not offered. Take lift / elevator to Club lobby. (NB: You should be given a black card to get in,.)
Opening hours
See here for hours.
Access rules
**American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum customers traveling on solely North American itineraries do not qualify for Flagship Lounge access. North America is defined as U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire members who achieved status via frequent flyer programs other than American Airlines do qualify for access even when traveling on solely North American itineraries.
Customers traveling on airline industry non-revenue tickets are not eligible for access
Qualifying oneworld Emerald and Sapphire, First Class and Business passengers are allowed one guest. Admirals Club membership alone grants no access.
Amenities:
You can now travel between the American Airlines and Legacy US Airways terminals without leaving Security via a shuttle service. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., with stops at Terminal 6 (Gate 65A) and Terminal 4 (down escalator by Gate 44) - or take a 10-minute walk via the connecting tunnel.
An airside shuttle bus runs from 4:00 PM from the shuttle bus terminal (down the escalator by Gate 44) to the Tom Bradley International Terminal , strictly for passengers with boarding passes departing TBIT on Qantas.
Yet another shuttle bus from ground level by Gate 44 connects to the Remote (American Eagle) terminal, with its own Club.
Link to LAX information on aa.com.
Link to LAX web site.
NOTE: The Flagship Lounge reopened December 2017, as part of the extensive renovations at the LAX Club and Lounge, including expanding food offerings. The Flagship Lounge is now a First and Business class lounge. Inside the Flagship Lounge is a Flagship First Dining room. Flagship First Dining is restricted to those in Flagship First class on qualifying flights that also sell business class.
Location:
Airside, after security, across from Gate 40. Enter through the Admirals Club admit desk, request Flagship Lounge key card if qualified but not offered. Take lift / elevator to Club lobby. (NB: You should be given a black card to get in,.)
Opening hours
See here for hours.
Access rules
- Traveling First or Business Class on an American Airlines marketed and operated qualifying international* flight. Lounge access is also valid on a same-day itinerary that includes a qualifying or international segment
- Traveling First or Business Class on an American Airlines marketed and operated three-class nonstop transcontinental flight (JFK/BOS-LAX/SFO) . Lounge access is also valid on a same-day itinerary that includes a qualifying transcontinental segment
- An American Airlines AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Platinum customer departing on or connecting to a qualifying international* flight, operated and marketed by a oneworld® airline, regardless of cabin flown
- A oneworld First or Business Class international* customer departing on or connecting to a oneworld marketed and operated flight
- A oneworld Emerald or Sapphire customer** departing on or connecting to any oneworld marketed and operated flight, regardless of cabin flown. Access is valid on a same day itinerary
**American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum customers traveling on solely North American itineraries do not qualify for Flagship Lounge access. North America is defined as U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire members who achieved status via frequent flyer programs other than American Airlines do qualify for access even when traveling on solely North American itineraries.
Customers traveling on airline industry non-revenue tickets are not eligible for access
Qualifying oneworld Emerald and Sapphire, First Class and Business passengers are allowed one guest. Admirals Club membership alone grants no access.
Amenities:
- Complimentary computers with Internet serviceComplimentary WiFi Internet access
- Complimentary wireless Hotspot printing
- Complimentary self-service extended snacks and "distinctive meal" service
- Complimentary premium liquor, beer and wine
- Complimentary dining area (for buffet users)
- Complimentary Bose® music / relax area with reclining seats
- Complimentary flat screen televisions
- Complimentary shower suites with high-end toiletries
You can now travel between the American Airlines and Legacy US Airways terminals without leaving Security via a shuttle service. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., with stops at Terminal 6 (Gate 65A) and Terminal 4 (down escalator by Gate 44) - or take a 10-minute walk via the connecting tunnel.
An airside shuttle bus runs from 4:00 PM from the shuttle bus terminal (down the escalator by Gate 44) to the Tom Bradley International Terminal , strictly for passengers with boarding passes departing TBIT on Qantas.
Yet another shuttle bus from ground level by Gate 44 connects to the Remote (American Eagle) terminal, with its own Club.
- For LAX Terminal 4 Gate 40 Admirals Club, please refer to this thread
- For the "Eagle's Nest" Admirals Club in the remote American Eagle terminal see here.
- For the Tom Bradley International Terminal oneworld Lounge, see here.
LAX / Los Angeles Int'l. Terminal 4 Flagship Lounge (master thread)
Aug 12, 2018, 8:07 pm
#76
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,346
Some quick notes from my visit to the LAX FSL this past week...
I thought the breakfast spread was nice. The made to order omelettes were excellent, with a great selection of ingredients and the most pleasant cook ever. Inclusion of chorizo as an ingredient option was a nice touch. The Bloody Mary bar was nice, and the local mix they had was better than the one in ORD, imho. I would suggest they put out salsa and ketchup (requested by several people) but overall a wonderful experience.
I was there twice for lunch service. Same food on the buffet both times, with the primary entree being chicken fried steak. I found the hot options uninspiring compared to what they've had in the past, but it was definitely "good enough". I will say, watching staff try to explain chicken fried steak to people who are visiting the US was pretty amusing. The french dip sandwich station was open one of the times I was there. Like the omelette station, this had a great selection of toppings, although I would have loved to see some hot peppers of some kind. The lady working this station was also super pleasant and accommodating, delivering sandwiches to people once they were done and letting them know when it was their turn to order vs making them wait in line. Overall, I find the staff at this FSL to be top notch and they really create a great environment for their guests by being so personable and dedicated to customer service.
The only real negative I can cite is that one of the staffers decided to change the TV that several of us were sort of monitoring to a different channel and then turn up the volume so that he could watch sports for minutes on end, without doing whatever he was supposed to be doing. But that's clearly a first world problem.
I thought the breakfast spread was nice. The made to order omelettes were excellent, with a great selection of ingredients and the most pleasant cook ever. Inclusion of chorizo as an ingredient option was a nice touch. The Bloody Mary bar was nice, and the local mix they had was better than the one in ORD, imho. I would suggest they put out salsa and ketchup (requested by several people) but overall a wonderful experience.
I was there twice for lunch service. Same food on the buffet both times, with the primary entree being chicken fried steak. I found the hot options uninspiring compared to what they've had in the past, but it was definitely "good enough". I will say, watching staff try to explain chicken fried steak to people who are visiting the US was pretty amusing. The french dip sandwich station was open one of the times I was there. Like the omelette station, this had a great selection of toppings, although I would have loved to see some hot peppers of some kind. The lady working this station was also super pleasant and accommodating, delivering sandwiches to people once they were done and letting them know when it was their turn to order vs making them wait in line. Overall, I find the staff at this FSL to be top notch and they really create a great environment for their guests by being so personable and dedicated to customer service.
The only real negative I can cite is that one of the staffers decided to change the TV that several of us were sort of monitoring to a different channel and then turn up the volume so that he could watch sports for minutes on end, without doing whatever he was supposed to be doing. But that's clearly a first world problem.
Aug 24, 2018, 11:10 pm
#77
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
Does anyone have any experience with the Flagship lounge in LAX for those under 21? I will be flying out of LAX tomorrow night (8/25) and should have access to the lounge but the last time I flew out of LAX (before the flagship lounge opened), I was denied entrance to the TBIT Oneworld lounge because I was under age. Is that likely with the Flagship lounge as well?
Aug 25, 2018, 5:41 am
#78
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
Does anyone have any experience with the Flagship lounge in LAX for those under 21? I will be flying out of LAX tomorrow night (8/25) and should have access to the lounge but the last time I flew out of LAX (before the flagship lounge opened), I was denied entrance to the TBIT Oneworld lounge because I was under age. Is that likely with the Flagship lounge as well?
Aug 25, 2018, 8:56 am
#79
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,438
Does anyone have any experience with the Flagship lounge in LAX for those under 21? I will be flying out of LAX tomorrow night (8/25) and should have access to the lounge but the last time I flew out of LAX (before the flagship lounge opened), I was denied entrance to the TBIT Oneworld lounge because I was under age. Is that likely with the Flagship lounge as well?
I wrote a long reply suggesting the young person spend their time exploring the airport, rather than worrying about sitting around a stuffy old lounge with a bunch of old people. That reply got picked up, to my amazement, by Fox News and briefly showed up as a "Trending Topic" in Apple News and Yahoo. (Fifteen minutes of fame. By nighttime, it all disappeared.)
Be that as it may, the chances of your being admitted to the FL area about zero. Others may dissent, but I believe it is due to the fact the FL has self-pour liquor and California Alcohol Beverage Control laws require an under-21 person to be supervised by someone older. Thus, if the young person consumes alcohol and the ABC busts the joint, the older person would be liable, not the establishment. AA is not going to risk its liquor license for you.
My suggestion to you is the same as to the 16-year old in the other thread. Take your young energetic body and go explore TBIT, T4, T5, etc., if you have ample time between flights. There is a place called Umami Burger in TBIT that I would love to try, but at my age hamburgers are on the Danger List and I don't want to risk (err... ) "problems" at 35,000 ft. In my younger days, I could eat hamburgers any day of the week without any problem.
Aug 25, 2018, 9:07 am
#80
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,438
Sadly I’m well over 21 so don’t have any first hand experience here. But if your access is through status and you have guesting privileges then you could always offer to guest someone into the lounge that’s over 21 to be your “adult”. There’s usually people sitting outside around doors on laptops that would probably appreciate some free food/booze/comfort. Or just look out for uniformed military, bored looking solo travelers, etc.
Personally, I would turn down such an offer from a random young person that I do not know. I would not want to be held responsible for that person's actions in the lounge, nor for monitoring their beverage choices and watching to see they don't sneak alcohol into their Coke. Finally, I would not want to hassle with getting the young person out of the lounge when it was time for me to leave. I just don't need that kind of grief from someone I do not already know.
I got out of the babysitting biz a long time ago.
Aug 25, 2018, 9:16 am
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 860
This could be done, and I'm sure it happens all the time.
Personally, I would turn down such an offer from a random young person that I do not know. I would not want to be held responsible for that person's actions in the lounge, nor for monitoring their beverage choices and watching to see they don't sneak alcohol into their Coke. Finally, I would not want to hassle with getting the young person out of the lounge when it was time for me to leave. I just don't need that kind of grief from someone I do not already know.
I got out of the babysitting biz a long time ago.
Personally, I would turn down such an offer from a random young person that I do not know. I would not want to be held responsible for that person's actions in the lounge, nor for monitoring their beverage choices and watching to see they don't sneak alcohol into their Coke. Finally, I would not want to hassle with getting the young person out of the lounge when it was time for me to leave. I just don't need that kind of grief from someone I do not already know.
I got out of the babysitting biz a long time ago.
Aug 26, 2018, 12:37 am
#82
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
Kudos to AA
So after reading the replies in the thread, I assumed my chances at the Flagship lounge were zero and assumed I would be sent to the Admirals club. Instead, the agent escorted me to the Flagship lounge to grab food and then sent me to the Admirals club. Overall, an excellent solution to a challenging issue.
(And QueenOfCoach- Prior to my lounge stop, I spent an hour plane watching in TBIT. I then continued plane watching from above in the Admirals Club)
(And QueenOfCoach- Prior to my lounge stop, I spent an hour plane watching in TBIT. I then continued plane watching from above in the Admirals Club)
Aug 26, 2018, 7:58 am
#83
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,438
So after reading the replies in the thread, I assumed my chances at the Flagship lounge were zero and assumed I would be sent to the Admirals club. Instead, the agent escorted me to the Flagship lounge to grab food and then sent me to the Admirals club. Overall, an excellent solution to a challenging issue.
(And QueenOfCoach- Prior to my lounge stop, I spent an hour plane watching in TBIT. I then continued plane watching from above in the Admirals Club)
Sep 3, 2018, 6:31 am
#84
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Gold, MB Titanium
Posts: 123
Flew LAX > HKG on CX F 1135pm departure on Aug 29. Arrived QA F lounge at approximately 930pm and it was a zoo. Seats from the entrance all the way through the end of the restaurant were pretty much occupied. I desperately needed a shower so put my name down on the waiting list, and the attend let me know she'll text me when its ready. I walked around TBIT for a bit checking out the shops and food options but still no text message. Not wanting to risk it, I took the walkway over to T4 and was pleasantly suprised by the Flagship Lounge. First off, no noise and more than enough seats available. AFTER I had enjoyed the shower suite (which I got into right away) and refreshed before my flight, I then got the text message saying that the shower at the QA F lounge was ready. I politely responded I wouldn't be needing it anymore.
I enjoyed that dining area as it has a big open feel to it, and as others have mentioned above, I enjoy having variety to choose from a buffet instead of being limited by ordering a few menu items. To be honest the food wasn't great, but it was passible and I wasn't looking to stuff myself as I would be flying international F with a solid menu (which is why the menu at QA F lounge doesn't work for me).
It was a nice walk back to TBIT, prolonged by the fact that I had to take a bus gate which is all the way at the other end of TBIT, but enjoyable since I'd be on a plane for the next 13 hours. In the future I could definitely going straight to this lounge if I arrived early enough to do the walk, and for sure if I ran into the herd at QA F lounge again.
I enjoyed that dining area as it has a big open feel to it, and as others have mentioned above, I enjoy having variety to choose from a buffet instead of being limited by ordering a few menu items. To be honest the food wasn't great, but it was passible and I wasn't looking to stuff myself as I would be flying international F with a solid menu (which is why the menu at QA F lounge doesn't work for me).
It was a nice walk back to TBIT, prolonged by the fact that I had to take a bus gate which is all the way at the other end of TBIT, but enjoyable since I'd be on a plane for the next 13 hours. In the future I could definitely going straight to this lounge if I arrived early enough to do the walk, and for sure if I ran into the herd at QA F lounge again.
Sep 3, 2018, 6:41 am
#85
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,809
That is about the worst time to get to the QF F lounge in my personal experience and it can get pretty crazy. For what it is worth, I prefer the AA showers to the QF showers.
Sep 3, 2018, 6:43 pm
#86
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 474
But there are more items on the menu at the Qantas First Lounge than on the buffet at the Flagship Lounge... And they'll take requests to change or substitute anything you like... I don't get it...
Sep 4, 2018, 6:11 am
#87
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: HKG
Programs: CX Gold, MB Titanium
Posts: 123
Sorry I could have been more clear. It would be an extreme waste of food if I were to order every single menu item and only take one bite. I can freely take one bite of everything displayed on a buffet table. Before a long flight, I like having variety to freely choose from and being able to control portion sizes.
Sep 9, 2018, 8:43 am
#89
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Sep 9, 2018, 1:18 pm
#90
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,305
Thanks SFO777. Will be there Thursday! Since my itinerary includes Morocco, the soup is extra appealing!