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I hardly ever fly American Airlines and have expressed my displeasure with the carrier in the past and generally avoid American even thought it operates a hub out of my home airport at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). In April, British Airways offered status matches to flyers in the United States and Canada (more here). I matched my United Premier 1K® status to British Airways Gold, which made me oneworld® Emerald and grants access to Business and First Class lounges around the world. Before a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) today, we had the opportunity to check out the American Airlines Flagship® Lounge and I was impressed, overall.
A central check-in area is located immediately upon entry.
Access
Access to the American Airlines Flagship® Lounge is granted to passengers flying longhaul Business or First Class. This includes transcontinental, transatlantic, transpacific, and some flights to Hawaii on American Airlines and its oneworld® partner airlines, American Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum members as well as Alaska MileagePlan™ MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold members on qualifying international flights, ConciergeKey℠ members regardless of cabin or flight, oneworld® Sapphire™ and Emerald™ flyers from other airlines, or with a single-visit pass (these cost $150 per person). One guest is allowed for all those with access above with the exception of ConciergeKey℠ members who may bring in immediate family or up to two guests.
After checking in downstairs, you are handed passes for the American Airlines Flagship® Lounge. It’s located on the second floor and the Admirals Club is on the third.
Anthony’s Take: This is a lovely lounge and a nice space to dine before flying. While United’s Polaris Lounges are nicer (and Delta’s new Delta One® Lounges look even better (more here), the American Airlines Flagship® Lounge offered great food, premium drinks, and plenty of space at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
Bar
All of the beverages in the American Airlines Flagship® Lounge are self serve. This includes a nice selection of liquor and spirits, wines, beer, coffee, tea, and many soft drinks. There are beverage stations scattered throughout the lounge with wine, beer, and alcohol found to the left after entering.
The American Airlines Flagship® Lounge offered a nice selection of wine.
I had a glass of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne. I quite like this Champagne house and find it a nice choice for the lounge.
A build-your-own Bloody Mary bar was to the left of the buffet.
A Coca-Cola Freestyle machine
Around the lounge, you’ll find multiple stations with coffee, tea, and water.
Another coffee machine
More drip coffee and condiments
More water
Another snack and beverage station
I liked the Flagship® branded napkins
Refrigerated cases hold sodas and beer.
Food
There is one main buffet in this lounge as well as a station with fresh fruit and another with candy and snacks. The main area is split into two buffets with one offering hot dishes including pasta and soups. The other is salads, cold cuts, and dessert.
Orecchiette Porcini Bolognese (I loved that Chef Sarah Grueneberg of Chicago’s Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio was behind this dish. The restaurant is great.)
Tuscan Chicken
Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
Roasted Heirloom Carrots
Paneer Manchurian
Garlic Fried Rice
Spring Vegetable Beef & Barley and Creamy Tomato Bisque soups
Various Meats
Cheese
Sushi, Roasted Mushroom & Farro Salad, and vegetables
Chips
Assorted desserts and cookies
Fresh fruit
Candy and snacks
Seating & Decor
The space is fairly open and quite large. It was not crowded while we were in the lounge. There are all sorts of seating configurations for working, socializing, and lounging. I like that this lounge is split into several smaller sections. On the far-right side, you’ll find a room for napping and a TV room next door. The decor is rather sparse and overall the lounge space does not have the art or flair that Delta or United offer.
Tables near the buffet
More tables
Even more seating
And, more seats
The nap room
TV room
The lounge offers great views of the planes outside.
Agents are available including a dedicated one for British Airways’ passengers.
Amenities
The American Airlines Flagship® Lounge offers restrooms, free Wi-Fi, and all of the food and beverages listed above. The shower suites were closed when I visited, but there are six normally available.
Overall Impression:
This was the first American Airlines Flagship® Lounge that I have visited. The food is great and it’s a nice space to relax and work before a flight.
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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.
3 comments
The frustration I have with American is they can do some things so well like this lounge…. yet screw up all of the rest.
What are you talking about? They DO have 6 shower suites with great amenity like Dyson hair dryer, etc. I am a Japan Airlines Global Club member so I use Flagship lounge frequently. You must have missed it.
You are correct. I made an edit. I specifically asked when I was there if there were shower suites and I was told by an employee there that they did not exist in the lounge. When I look on the AA site, I see you are correct. Thank you for pointing this out.