First look: American’s new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club in Philly shine in big debut

At lengthy final, it is lastly right here.

American Airlines’ long-awaited Flagship Lounge in Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will likely be open for enterprise on Thursday (May 22). The lounge, which was initially alleged to debut earlier than the pandemic, was indefinitely delayed for years, each as a result of journey slowdown related to COVID and as a result of airline’s enlargement in New York (that got here largely on the expense of Philly).

But because the New York development slowed with the top of the Northeast Alliance, American recommitted to the Flagship Lounge undertaking in Philadelphia, its main transatlantic hub, which it inherited from US Airways through the merger.

American’s Flagship Lounges are business-class-only areas reserved primarily for premium-cabin flyers on long-haul flights. They’re far nicer than the membership-based Admirals Club, and they have upgraded eating and amenity experiences.

American at the moment operates 5 business-class-only lounges at hubs nationwide, however the sixth — in Philly — is now arguably the nicest in the community. Better but, American may also debut an all-new Admirals Club as a part of this lounge redevelopment undertaking, and that area is kind of beautiful, too.

Read on for the whole lot you might want to know.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge Philadelphia location

The Flagship Lounge is situated close to Gate A15 in the connector between the A-West and A-East concourses at PHL. This places the lounge proper close to American’s wide-body gates, making it only a brief stroll for flyers heading to locations like London and Paris.

You’ll discover the lounge situated one ground above the terminal in an area that was reserved for US Airways’ Envoy Club. American gut-renovated the area and additionally constructed a new Admirals Club subsequent door to the Flagship Lounge.

All terminals at PHL are linked airside, that means that you just will not have to reclear safety to entry this lounge. That stated, simply make sure you depart sufficient time to stroll to your gate for those who’re leaving from the B or C gates.

The lounge is open every day from 4:30 a.m. till 10:30 p.m.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge Philadelphia entry

American’s Flagship Lounges are meant to be a lower above the usual membership-based Admirals Club, and with that comes a separate set of entry guidelines.

Generally talking, you may want a Flagship-marketed seat in first or enterprise class on a long-haul worldwide route or on a choose variety of premium home routes to enter. Plus, choose AAdvantage elites (in addition to Alaska Mileage Plan elite members) can use the lounge earlier than departure when flying on an eligible same-day, long-haul worldwide journey.

Several different classes of premium vacationers are invited to make use of the Flagship Lounge, similar to these with Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald standing from a non-U.S.-based airline and American’s invite-only Concierge Key clients.

American additionally sells day passes for the Flagship Lounge at both $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage miles per individual. (I’d go together with the previous and save your miles for a extra beneficial redemption down the road.)

American Airlines Flagship Lounge Philadelphia design

Once inside, you may shortly discover that you have entered an elevated area. The wood-lined entrance space offers method two entryways: the Flagship Lounge and the Admirals Club.

Turning left will carry you into the 13,750-square-foot Flagship Lounge. The area is partitioned into a number of completely different lounge areas for the 200 flyers it will probably comfortably seat.

The first space you may enter is the hearth and lounging area, which is designed to advertise rest. These fake fireplaces have change into a staple of American’s new lounge design idea, and they do a great job of serving to me unwind.

There is a mixture of seating choices in this area, however my private favourite is the high-top seats lining the floor-to-ceiling home windows, which supply prime views of the apron and main runways in the gap.

The home windows assist flood the area with pure mild, which is all the time a pleasant contact in an airport lounge.

Beyond the dwelling space is one other small rest area accented by a self-serve wine bar on one facet and a small visitor service middle for last-minute journey assist.

The central focal space of the area is the eating room, which is break up into two principal seating areas. The first is designed to be a bit extra of an on-the-go expertise, with a wide range of tables and seating areas for diners. Lining this area is the lounge’s buffet and beverage station — however extra on that beneath.

Finally, there is a correct eating space accented by stunning Philadelphia-inspired art work on one wall.

The art work contains the phrases of the Declaration of Independence, however completely different shades of textual content are additionally used to create murals of iconic Philadelphia factors of curiosity, such because the Love Statue and the Liberty Bell.

All in all, the lounge is a surprising improve for vacationers used to the prevailing Flagship Lounge areas. Out with harsh whites and vibrant reds, and in with much more pleasing tones that exude much more of an opulent contact than the 5 different present business-class-only lounges.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge Philadelphia eating

The new Flagship Lounge in Philly debuts an all-new eating expertise for the airline.

That begins with a signature full-service bar, one thing that is lacking from the remainder of the airline’s Flagship Lounges. The provider will supply wines, six beers and bartender-crafted cocktails and mocktails on the bar. (Other Flagship Lounges solely have self-service bars.)

And in a little bit of a enjoyable twist, the airline will whip up two secret cocktails by request solely. Those are the Betsy Ross Boulevardier (impressed by all of the trailblazing girls throughout the U.S.) and the Seventy Philly — a Pennsylvania-inspired twist on the basic French 75 with hints of maple and a contact of cognac.

Furthermore, American will supply each a buffet — or “action stations,” because the airline calls them — and a la carte meals choices. The full-service eating room has QR code placards at every desk from which you’ll be able to order from an a la carte menu that features cheesesteaks, Philly pretzels, Caesar salads and extra.

As it does in any respect its Flagship Lounges, American has partnered with a well-liked native chef. In Philly’s case, that is with Chef Randy Rucker, famed for his River Twice and Little Water eating places in town.

The menu, American says, will rotate seasonally, and it at the moment consists of gadgets similar to roast pork sandwiches, whipped ricotta and blistered tomato toasts.

Aside from the alcoholic drinks, there’s a beverage station with a wide range of gentle drinks on faucet — a primary for American. (Goodbye, fountain machines.)

You’ll additionally discover canned aluminum water bottles, a espresso machine and a water bottle refill station right here.

Those with a candy tooth will definitely benefit from the new Flagship Lounge.

Not solely is there an artisanal water ice bar full with a choice of toppings, however there’s additionally a small self-serve sweet buffet by the exit, designed to resemble sampling the treats of Philly’s Reading Terminal Market.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge Philadelphia facilities

In phrases of facilities, Flagship Lounges may not be as much as the extent of Delta One Lounges or United Polaris Lounges, however the area nonetheless affords all of the fundamentals.

The area has two telephone cubicles, one in every of which is outsized for vacationers with disabilities. There’s additionally a small enterprise middle with an (outdated) iMac and a wi-fi printer.

Furthermore, the lounge’s restrooms are far nicer than principally every other in the airport. The wood-lined stalls with gentle temper lighting actually assist give the bogs a luxe vibe.

There are additionally six bathe suites situated close to the restrooms, obtainable on a first-come, first-served foundation. They’re stocked with Klur facilities, in addition to Dyson hair dryers and plush towels.

Furthermore, there’s quick and free Wi-Fi obtainable throughout the lounge, and most seats needs to be inside an arm’s attain of an influence outlet, USB-A and USB-C ports.

American Airlines Admirals Club Philadelphia Overview

In addition to the new Flagship Lounge, American is opening a new Admirals Club as a part of the broader A-West lounge redevelopment undertaking.

And whereas the Flagship Lounge is a critical improve, the Admirals Club would possibly simply be the show-stopper. That’s as a result of the prevailing Admirals Clubs in Philly depart loads to be desired, and this one is a lot nicer. In reality, for those who unintentionally ended up in the Admirals Club as an alternative of the Flagship Lounge, you may not be too disenchanted for the reason that design of the 2 areas is analogous (in a great way).

It’s outfitted with the new design motifs that’ve popped up in Denver and Newark, full with a pretend fire and extra luxurious seating choices.

The area measures 11,000 sq. ft with seating for 181 friends. Inside you may discover two bathe suites, in addition to gender-specific restrooms.

There’s additionally a full-service bar and buffet with a extra restricted meals menu than what you may discover in the Flagship Lounge.

Some different highlights embrace a youngsters’ play space, two telephone cubicles and a small enterprise middle.

There’s even a customized artwork piece outlining town’s topography that is designed to provide vacationers a view of town from 30,000 ft.

Perhaps the most effective a part of the new area is that American has construct a versatile rest space behind the lounge’s entryway. This is designed to assist with overflow capability throughout peak departure banks, and it’s going to rotate between serving the Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge relying on demand.

Nice work on American’s half to do no matter it will probably to scale back overcrowding.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge Philadelphia backside line

American’s new Flagship Lounge in Philadelphia is a serious improve for the airport.

Until now, the airline has supplied lackluster lounge choices for vacationers passing by Philly. The airline’s lounges have not modified a lot from once they had been inherited from US Airways through the merger in 2013, and many flyers bemoan the state of disrepair that you will discover at a few of the American lounges at PHL. (That’s why you may discover the savviest vacationers utilizing the newly opened Chase Sapphire Lounge at PHL, which stays the nicest in the airport.)

The excellent news is that American now affords two beautiful new areas for vacationers. The membership-based Admirals Club is the newest to function the airline’s new modernized design motifs, whereas the Flagship Lounge is arguably the airline’s nicest one but.

From a gorgeous design to a surprising bar to top-notch meals and drinks, is spectacular. And it comes simply at the beginning of the busy summer season journey season, that means that every one these business-class flyers jetting off to Europe from Philly will take pleasure in a far upgraded floor expertise — in the end.

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