Aug 6, 2018, 9:03 am
Last edit by: JDiver
American Airlines Club History and Background
Background
The Admirals Club was the first of the airline VIP clubs. In 1936, the commercial aviation industry had few strong supporters and American Airlines Chairman C.R. Smith (1934-1968) wanted to recognize them (and recruit them as advocates of air transport). He began naming honored passengers and friends of the airline by coining the term "Admirals" in keeping with the designation of the airline's planes as the "Flagship Fleet."
"Admirals of the Flagship Fleet" were presented with nicely printed certificates attesting to their status (in keeping with the "Kentucky Colonels" who never were) framed and ready to be proudly displayed on one's office or Board Room wall.
(The AA fleet was named "the Flagship Fleet" early on, in a nautical theme that carried over to the uniforms pilots now wore and their rank - Captain and First Officer, aided in those days by an Engineer, Radio Man, Navigator as necessary. When the low wing twin engine all metal monocoque DC-3 came online, it was named the "Flagship" aircraft (Flagship Detroit at the C. R. Smith Museum is an example), and on the ground each Flagship flew a four star "Admirals' Pennant" from the starboard cockpit window.)
New York - La Guardia Field opened in the 1930s and AA was a prominent early tenant, relocating its hangars and offices from Chicago. (Pan American became the tenant at the Marine Air Terminal, and TWA was also a main tenant.)
Original American Airlines Admirals Club History, removed from the AA pages since the US Airways reverse takeover:
"In 1939, American decided Admirals deserved a special place to relax before or after a flight. The original Admirals Club shared a space in the just-opened New York LaGuardia Airport with Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. Press criticism of the mayor's large, well-equipped offices had prompted him to offer to rent out the space. American Airlines representative Red Mosier immediately accepted the offer and the private airport club was born. Ironically, when the papers were drawn up for the club's liquor license, a judge refused to grant the name "Admirals Club" on the grounds the public might think it was a facility for Navy admirals only. So the club was initially called the "Flagship Club" until the legal hurdles were overcome.
In the early years, membership in the club was solely at the discretion of the airline's sales people. Memberships were given to frequent fliers or VIPs. In keeping with the nautical theme, the club's receptionists were called "skippers" and bartenders were called "stewards."
The airline's second club was at Washington's National Airport and opened with the airport in 1939. Located in a "dry" area, the club was prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages. For a nominal fee, however, the club stored bottles for its members. When the Virginia liquor law changed in 1970, so did this club policy. At one point, the club had more than 9,000 bottles stored. Many bore the names of powerful U.S. politicians.
A change in Admirals Club membership eligibility was made in 1967 when American established an open policy of accepting dues-paying members – a policy that remains in effect today. Paid airline lounge Club membership came about after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted. Admirals Club was somewhat like CK in that membership was granted by sales personnel to AA to VIPs who were generally influencers of air travel (legislators, corporate heavyweights, etc.) and sparse of people of color, etc. US airlines established a paid membership system any member of the public was able to purchase, choosing not to change to a scheme more commonly used abroad wherein class of service is an admission criterion regardless of domestic or international routing.
The dues in 1967 were $25 per year, or $250 for a lifetime membership. Almost all Admirals at the time decided to pay the fees and retain their memberships.
Today, all persons 18 and over can purchase an Admirals Club membership. Pricing for Admirals Club memberships is based on the customer's tier level in the American AAdvantage membership program. Pricing ranges from $450 or 60,000 AAdvantage miles annually for a new Executive Platinum membership, to $550 or 85,000 miles annually for a regular membership. Membership is also provided to holders of the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard ($450 annual fee). One-day passes are available for $59 each.
The clubs were designed to simply provide a quiet haven away from the clamor of the airport terminal. Today they also offer flight information for American and American Eagle as well as a host of amenities that significantly differentiate the travel experience. There are now over 40 Admirals Clubs at 36 airports in the American Airlines system. These include(d) Atlanta; Austin; Bogotá; Boston; Buenos Aires; Caracas; Chicago O'Hare; Dallas/Fort Worth; Denver; Honolulu; Kansas City; London-Heathrow; Los Angeles International; Mexico City; Miami; Nashville; New York-Kennedy; New York-LaGuardia; Newark; Orange County (Calif.);
Link to archive
Unfortunately, the new American has deleted its online Official Admirals Club history page at: https://www.aa.com/i18n/amrcorp/corp...alshistory.jsp
Link (now not working) to Point Me to the Plane brief article and AA photos at early LGA
Link to PDF history of New York - LaGuardia International Airport (NYC Aviation)
The 01 Aug 2009 American Way in flight magazine had an article by then-CEO Gerard Arpey on Admirals Club history in the Vantage Point column. You can read an online version of the August 1, 2009 American Way magazine article here (not working) or see post #3.
Admirals Club History, Logo, Name
Aug 11, 2009, 7:26 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Aug 11, 2009, 7:27 am
#33
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That's very nice, but "I know you're all wrong, but I won't tell you how I know" (to paraphrase your posts) isn't very convincing. Granted, this entire thread is mostly speculation, but if you told us how you know that it's not about a Fleet Admiral's stars, it would do a lot for your present and future credibility. This is hardly in the category of "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you" or even "I could tell you, but it's not worth my job."
Aug 11, 2009, 12:20 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,949
As they say in the south . . . That dog don't hunt.
Aug 11, 2009, 1:06 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: Airline Free Agent/MR Gold/ HH Diamond/National/MGM/Amex
Posts: 662
According to “The official American Airlines Admirals Club History Page”, which used to exist:
I'm going with the Naval Officer reference as well.
In 1939, American decided Admirals deserved a special place to relax before or after a flight. The original Admirals Club shared a space in the just-opened New York LaGuardia Airport with Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. Press criticism of the mayor’s large, well-equipped offices had prompted him to offer to rent out the space. American Airlines representative Red Mosier immediately accepted the offer and the private airport club was born. Ironically, when the papers were drawn up for the club’s liquor license, a judge refused to grant the name "Admirals Club" on the grounds the public might think it was a facility for Navy admirals only. So the club was initially called the "Flagship Club" until the legal hurdles were overcome.
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 6, 2018 at 11:03 am Reason: Removed non-functioning link
Aug 11, 2009, 4:12 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: SJC
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Aug 12, 2009, 1:36 am
#41
Join Date: Feb 2006
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I did not realize that this was a thread about:
a) Frank Lorenzo (for you Eastern apologists)
b) Alfred E. Kahn (for people who miss lobster in Y...and $1,000 Y fares SFO-NYC)
c) Herb Keheler (for people who have not yet flown on WN)
(why is it that people condemn my personal heros?)
a) Frank Lorenzo (for you Eastern apologists)
b) Alfred E. Kahn (for people who miss lobster in Y...and $1,000 Y fares SFO-NYC)
c) Herb Keheler (for people who have not yet flown on WN)
(why is it that people condemn my personal heros?)
Aug 12, 2009, 4:06 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: LI, NY
Programs: AA PLT, AAdv since Day One
Posts: 2,682
OK, I have the definitive, straight from the horses mouth, indisputable answer:
Wait for it ......
Honor
Loyalty
Integrity
Service
Family
There is a small sign on the reception desk at the LGA AC. It says:
Did you know?
There is a meaning behind the circle and five stars of the Admirals Club Logo:
The stars stand for:
Honor
Loyalty
Integrity
Service
Family
The stars are shaped in the form of an anchor, and the circle represents the need for all aspects of the anchor to be upheld simultaneously in order to achieve a common goal.
OK, what prize did I win????
Wait for it ......
Honor
Loyalty
Integrity
Service
Family
There is a small sign on the reception desk at the LGA AC. It says:
Did you know?
There is a meaning behind the circle and five stars of the Admirals Club Logo:
The stars stand for:
Honor
Loyalty
Integrity
Service
Family
The stars are shaped in the form of an anchor, and the circle represents the need for all aspects of the anchor to be upheld simultaneously in order to achieve a common goal.
OK, what prize did I win????
Aug 12, 2009, 8:49 am
#44
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8
OK, I have the definitive, straight from the horses mouth, indisputable answer:
Wait for it ......
Honor
Loyalty
Integrity
Service
Family
There is a small sign on the reception desk at the LGA AC. It says:
Did you know?
There is a meaning behind the circle and five stars of the Admirals Club Logo:
Thank you and I just found out today you are absolutely right.
The stars stand for:
Honor
Loyalty
Integrity
Service
Family
The stars are shaped in the form of an anchor, and the circle represents the need for all aspects of the anchor to be upheld simultaneously in order to achieve a common goal.
OK, what prize did I win????
Wait for it ......
Honor
Loyalty
Integrity
Service
Family
There is a small sign on the reception desk at the LGA AC. It says:
Did you know?
There is a meaning behind the circle and five stars of the Admirals Club Logo:
Thank you and I just found out today you are absolutely right.
The stars stand for:
Honor
Loyalty
Integrity
Service
Family
The stars are shaped in the form of an anchor, and the circle represents the need for all aspects of the anchor to be upheld simultaneously in order to achieve a common goal.
OK, what prize did I win????