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
Feb 27, 2014, 10:20 am
#62
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Apr 30, 2014, 7:24 pm
#63
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Admirals Club History
Friend was talking about the clubs during the heyday of the 1990's and I wondered about what they were like in terms of amenities (e.g. Food and beverage, showers, etc), compared to today's typical clubs? Also, I cant recall the advent of the Flagship Lounges, when did those emerge? My recollection of the Flagship lounges in the early 2000's was that they had many more F + B offerings and amenities than what is on offer today but perhaps my memory is getting the best. Appreciate any historical information!
Apr 30, 2014, 7:42 pm
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Not relating directly to the OP's question (which I would love to hear about, too), but why is it the "Admirals Club"? An airline isn't the Navy. Sometimes, as an old timer, I slip up and say "Ambassadors Club" after the TWA offering. I think this, or something else, would be a better name for an AIRLINE lounge system.
Apr 30, 2014, 7:55 pm
#66
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Thanks! Good historical information, but, maybe, with the merger it's time for a change.
Apr 30, 2014, 7:57 pm
#67
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Apr 30, 2014, 8:13 pm
#68
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I remember going to the Admiral's Clubs in SJU and BOS in the 80s. They were simple -- just a place to hang out and maybe have a Diet Coke or coffee prior to a flight. They were also small, and the Aangels were almost always the same, so they recognized even a semi-regular kid like me (I traveled during long weekends and school holidays). I don't remember much of anything on offer other than maybe pretzels. Back then, this was where you could buy sticker upgrades, if you wanted them.
May 1, 2014, 12:14 am
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Friend was talking about the clubs during the heyday of the 1990's and I wondered about what they were like in terms of amenities (e.g. Food and beverage, showers, etc), compared to today's typical clubs? Also, I cant recall the advent of the Flagship Lounges, when did those emerge? My recollection of the Flagship lounges in the early 2000's was that they had many more F + B offerings and amenities than what is on offer today but perhaps my memory is getting the best. Appreciate any historical information!
MIA also used to have a small but very nice FL lounge.
May 1, 2014, 12:49 am
#71
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AA has always had a nautically themed branding. "Flagship" service/lounges. "Luxury Liners." The nautical Admiral's pennants on the DC-3s. I believe that AA used to refer to its frequent fliers as "Admirals of the Sky" (circa 1930s) - hence naming the lounge the "Admirals Club." Initially when the first lounge was opened in LaGuardia it was invite-only for the exclusive use of these "Admirals."
-FlyerBeek
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C. R. Smith and his station chief were quite clever opening this pleasant place where VIPs like LaGuardia could relax before a flight - VIP meaning to include those who were in positions to advocate for AA in terms of mail contracts, airways, etc. and public influence. The fact the second location, which included a "bottle club" (these were ubiquitous at one time in "dry" locations, such as pre-1970 Virginia) where the only liquor that could be served was that owned by "members" and stored by the management - one could buy "setups" for mixed drinks*), where many US legislators stored their hooch and were presumably impressed by AA, was at Washington National - DCA.
Members in those days received elaborate certificates enrolling them as Admirals of the Flagship Fleet.
<dead link removed>
In 1967, the Admirals Club became a paid membership organization. It's probably not a coincidence that this occurred soon after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed and many "membership by invitation" organizations were seen as at least de facto discriminating against women, Jewish people, Black Americans, etc. (I'm not much of a believer in coincidence.) Perhaps the most shortsighted move I never made: $250 bought one a lifetime membership!
*San Antonio was such a place. We'd buy wine or liquor, bring it with us - the Menger Hotel (where we stayed) restaurant enrolled us as members pro forma as guests, stored our alcohol, sold us setups and served us our liquor or wine.
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 6, 2018 at 11:23 am
May 1, 2014, 12:57 am
#72
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May 1, 2014, 1:02 am
#73
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DFW used to have a FL lounge adjacent to an AC (D I think). It was very nice and there were large showers. I still have a scar on my rear end from a heated towel rack (a story for elsewhere) given the adequate size for two people.
MIA also used to have a small but very nice FL lounge.
MIA also used to have a small but very nice FL lounge.
Those of us who know never bother with any other Club if we want a shower - whilst "D" showers may have a queue at times, "A" usually don’t, and the spacious rain showers are the best! You could (theoretically) accommodated more than two. There was also a small, adjacent exercise room to boot.)
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 6, 2018 at 11:25 am
May 1, 2014, 1:24 am
#74
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Not relating directly to the OP's question (which I would love to hear about, too), but why is it the "Admirals Club"? An airline isn't the Navy. Sometimes, as an old timer, I slip up and say "Ambassadors Club" after the TWA offering. I think this, or something else, would be a better name for an AIRLINE lounge system.
.)By necessity and tradition, airlines salted their terminology and sales talk with naval talk. Early long haul aircraft were usually "Flying Boat" seaplanes. Aft, forward, port and starboard*, bulkhead; the Captain, First Officer, Purser, Steward, Stewardess are all of nautical origin. Pan Am particularly, but for a time, Delta too, preferred Navy trained aviators (with old PA at least it's understandable given PA long haul aircraft were all seaplanes), as well as preferentially hiring married men. (Some airlines even asked questions about wine matching on some personnel tests, patently ridiculous, but this was before the day of "BFOQs" - Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications - became the order of the day.)
(I've visit the old PA base at Midway Island, where passengers overnighted in lodging brought piecemeal from the mainland, assembled on site and provided with solar heated hot water, etc. while the Clippers were serviced. Very impressive, for the day.)
Having an old geezer like me around sometimes has its AAdvantages, as I actually remember some of this stuff, and I had friends who flew for PA, PANAGRA, CP, AOA, etc.
) ¡Hola! from Barcelona.* Port and starboard sides date back to the Norse (Viking) custom of having the stýri borð at the stern of the ship for easier control, and as most men were right handed the stýri borð was on the right side aft. In Old English, the steering board (stēorbord) or steering oar was the same. To prevent breakage the left side was the side the ship that was tied to the dock for loading and unloading (particularly after the term “larboard” was discarded, probably due to the confusion generated when an order was shouted in battle or storm conditions and “larboard” was too close to “starboard”). Note that with a very few exceptions (the early DC-3 and DST aircraft) aircraft still loaded from the port side, and airports are designed to serve aircraft with jetways, etc. to the port hatches.
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 6, 2018 at 12:05 pm
May 1, 2014, 1:27 am
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