As airlines shuttered lounges across the globe at the onset of the pandemic, many promised to reopen when premium demand returned. American Airlines is ready to make good on that commitment, with its first two Flagship Lounges set to welcome guests again beginning next month.
The Flagship Lounge and Flagship Dining experience brings a whole new level of luxury to our customers’ journey, and we are thrilled to showcase our new offerings. With revamped menus designed in collaboration with awe-inspiring chefs and even more ways to access the lounge, we can’t wait to open the doors and serve our customers this fall.
– Clarissa Sebastian, Managing Director of Premium Customer Experience and Onboard Products
The JFK Flagship Lounge will be first to return, opening its doors on 14 September. Flagship Dining will follow two days later. The Flagship Lounge and Flagship Dining locations in Miami will welcome guests two weeks after that.
The company also expects to reopen locations at Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago O’Hare later this Fall.
Expanded access rules
Along with the reopened facilities, American intends to allow a few more travelers access to the lounges. And it only makes sense, given the shift in where its premium cabin aircraft fly.
As more Flagship Business seats fly to Hawaii, those passengers are now eligible for access to the lounges. Historically premium cabin travel to the islands did not rate lounge access. And it still won’t for passengers on the many non-Flagship aircraft serving Hawaii. But for those with a booking in the premium seats, the ground service will now be upgraded to match the offering in the sky.
Other lounges not reopening
While the US carriers are keen to reopen their premium lounges and drive the higher-yielding, long-haul revenues, other airlines are less convinced of a quick rebound in that demand. Earlier today Cathay Pacific announced it would not reopen its Bridge Lounge in Hong Kong.
Other out-station lounges such at Lufthansa‘s facility in Delhi are also not expected to reopen.
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