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
Apr 8, 2015, 5:06 am
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Jumping into a very old thread here, but I just found this in a box of my late fathers stuff and thought it might be bit of interesting nostalgia to add. My dad didn't seem like the type to go have such a thing framed and matted, is that how AA sent them out back then?
May 15, 2015, 9:03 am
#93
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
May 15, 2015, 4:06 pm
#94
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
Aug 9, 2018, 5:42 pm
#96
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
My dad has my Grandfather's Admiral of the Flagship Fleet Letter framed in our basement:
Aug 11, 2018, 4:39 am
#97
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
“A change in Admirals Club membership eligibility was made in 1967 when American established an open policy of accepting dues-paying members”
The government deemed that US airports, which receive federal grants, could not have any facilities that were not open to all. The change was spurred by the civil rights movement of the time. The airlines were told either to close the clubs or open them to all.
The government deemed that US airports, which receive federal grants, could not have any facilities that were not open to all. The change was spurred by the civil rights movement of the time. The airlines were told either to close the clubs or open them to all.
Aug 11, 2018, 8:33 am
#98
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
That's that's a really cool document. I don't mean this in a disrespectful way, just curious: since it looks from the wording that before membership in the club was available to the general paying public it was something American awarded for one's service and contributions to development of the air transpirtation industry... So what was your your grandfather's role in the industry do you know?
Aug 11, 2018, 8:54 am
#99
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
That's that's a really cool document. I don't mean this in a disrespectful way, just curious: since it looks from the wording that before membership in the club was available to the general paying public it was something American awarded for one's service and contributions to development of the air transpirtation industry... So what was your your grandfather's role in the industry do you know?
Feb 16, 2020, 11:58 am
#100
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
That's that's a really cool document. I don't mean this in a disrespectful way, just curious: since it looks from the wording that before membership in the club was available to the general paying public it was something American awarded for one's service and contributions to development of the air transpirtation industry... So what was your your grandfather's role in the industry do you know?
Jun 23, 2021, 10:49 pm
#101
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hawaii & Texas
Programs: AA ExPlat / LT Plat / 3MM, Delta Plat, Bonvoy LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,109
Anyone know the brand of the rainshower heads in the DFW Admirals club, terminal A. This would be before the remodel. Early 2000’s? They were great because they would surround you but wouldn’t get your head wet. So you could stand under it and still breath. It would hit your shoulders. Normal large rain shower heads that are a couple of feet in diameter have jets along the entire surface.
Jun 23, 2021, 10:58 pm
#102
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
Anyone know the brand of the rainshower heads in the DFW Admirals club, terminal A. This would be before the remodel. Early 2000’s? They were great because they would surround you but wouldn’t get your head wet. So you could stand under it and still breath. It would hit your shoulders. Normal large rain shower heads that are a couple of feet in diameter have jets along the entire surface.
-FlyerBeek
Jun 25, 2021, 1:50 pm
#104
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: DCA and STL
Programs: AA Concierge Key, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, National Car Executive Elite
Posts: 524
I'm curious, with all of the new airport terminals built in the past 20 years, which Admirals Club is the oldest one operating from the same location in the same terminal building? I'm wondering if it might be the St. Louis club (re-opening next month) which goes back to its day as the TWA Ambassador Club or if it is the club in the soon to be demolished LGA terminal, or O'Hare HK? They were all in place before I became an Admirals Club customer.
Jun 25, 2021, 11:51 pm
#105
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hawaii & Texas
Programs: AA ExPlat / LT Plat / 3MM, Delta Plat, Bonvoy LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,109
I don't know the brand name. But, I have to say the old showers (RIP) in the DFW Terminal A AC remain my absolute favorite of any airline lounge in the world (even better than the CX F Wing/Pier showers, IMO). I used to commute through DFW almost weekly from 2005-2007, and always looked forward to using that AC's mini gym and then a nice long shower there.
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek