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American Express appears ready to expand its new Sidecar by Centurion® Lounge concept to another major US airport. Plans have now emerged for a location at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
The concept debuted recently at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and introduced a smaller and more flexible version of the traditional Centurion® Lounge experience. Designed for travelers with limited time before departure, the Sidecar concept allows eligible cardmembers to enter within 90 minutes of their flight and offers a restaurant-style experience where food and drinks can be ordered via QR code.
According to the agenda for a Charlotte City Council Business Meeting scheduled for March 9th, officials are expected to review and approve plans for a Sidecar by Centurion® Lounge in Concourse A as part of the airport’s ongoing expansion. If approved, the new lounge would occupy 4,641 square feet and be included in the second phase of the Concourse A expansion project. American Express has agreed to a five-year lease for the space with the option to extend the agreement for an additional five years. Under the terms of the lease, the company will pay approximately $200 per square foot during the first year. That would amount to just under $1 million in annual rent, with the lease including a 2.5% yearly increase.
The proposed Charlotte lounge would be significantly larger than the original Sidecar location at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). While the exact size of the Las Vegas Sidecar has not been publicly disclosed, it reportedly accommodates a maximum of just 33 guests and occupies a relatively compact footprint. At more than 4,600 square feet, the Charlotte version would likely offer a more spacious environment while still maintaining the quick-stop design concept intended for travelers with limited time before boarding. This would also complement the existing Centurion® Lounge by American Express (review here).
The new lounge would add to a wave of recent and planned lounge developments at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), which has historically been considered one of the weakest major US airports in terms of premium lounge offerings. In recent months, American Airlines introduced Provisions by Admirals Club (review here). The facility allows eligible passengers to pick up food and beverages to take with them rather than staying inside a traditional lounge space. Plans also call for a new 14,000-square-foot Capital One Lounge to open as part of the same Concourse A expansion project. In addition, American Airlines is expected to introduce a long-awaited Flagship® Lounge at the airport.
While the Sidecar by Centurion® Lounge proposal is expected to receive approval from city officials, a construction timeline has not yet been announced. The broader Concourse A expansion remains under development and it is unclear when the new lounge spaces will begin welcoming travelers.
Anthony’s Take: If completed as planned, the new lounge would represent another major step forward in improving Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and its premium travel experience.
(H/T: One Mile at a Time.)
(Featured Image Credit: American Express.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
