American Airlines intends to inaugurate two new lounges, one of which will be the more luxurious Flagship Lounge, at one of its primary East Coast hubs.
Next year, American Airlines will introduce an Admirals Club and a Flagship Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), the Fort Worth-based airline announced on Friday.
The announcement is likely to benefit travelers using the hub, a busy connecting point for American that includes numerous transatlantic flights.
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New lounge details
Details about the two new lounges in Philadelphia are currently limited. According to a spokesperson on Friday, both lounges will be situated in the A-West terminal.
The lounges will feature a cozier atmosphere, complete with fireplaces, as seen in some of the newer clubs that American has introduced.
The aforementioned rendering of the American version is the only image that has been released so far.
Nonetheless, let’s examine one of the more recent Admirals Clubs in its collection, which was inaugurated last autumn at Denver International Airport (DEN) and features the updated design aesthetic being implemented in its new and refurbished lounges.
“The inauguration of the new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club lounge will further establish a unified design theme across all recently launched lounges, offering customers a familiar experience,” American stated on Friday.
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Enhancing lounge options in Philadelphia
American already has lounges at its Philadelphia hub, but the absence of a Flagship Lounge has been a notable gap in its offerings until now—especially given the transatlantic schedule the airline operates out of Philadelphia, as indicated in the map below from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
American currently operates Flagship Lounges at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Miami International Airport (MIA).
While New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) doesn’t officially have a Flagship Lounge, the Chelsea Lounge, which is shared by American Airlines and its joint-venture partner British Airways, serves a similar purpose.
The Flagship Lounge network offers a more luxurious experience compared to standard Admirals Clubs, featuring enhanced food selections and additional premium amenities such as specialty cocktail bars and an exclusive wine table.
Access to a Flagship Lounge is available if you fly with a Flagship First ticket or a Flagship Business ticket on select flights, typically international or specific major transcontinental routes, commonly those operated by the Boeing 777-300ER or Airbus A321T.
Elite members with high-level status are also permitted to access the lounge on qualifying flights.
American Airlines currently has four Admirals Clubs in Philadelphia, including one in Terminal A West, which is the location where these two new lounges will be built.
Looking ahead
When asked by TPG, the spokesperson could not provide a precise timeline for the opening of these two new lounges, only stating that they are anticipated to open in 2025.
A yearly Admirals Club membership begins at $850 for a first-time, non-elite member, although there are discounts available for AAdvantage elite members and those renewing their membership.
You can also get lounge access with American’s premium co-branded credit card.Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®(Refer to rates and fees), which includes an annual fee of $595.
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