First look: American’s new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Membership in Philly shine in huge debut

In the end, it is lastly right here.

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

However because the New York progress slowed with the tip of the Northeast Alliance, American recommitted to the Flagship Lounge mission in Philadelphia, its major transatlantic hub, which it inherited from US Airways in the course of 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 Membership, they usually’ve bought upgraded eating and amenity experiences.

American presently operates 5 business-class-only lounges at hubs nationwide, however the sixth — in Philly — is now arguably the nicest within the community. Higher but, American may even debut an all-new Admirals Membership as a part of this lounge redevelopment mission, and that house is sort of beautiful, too.

Learn on for every thing it’s worthwhile to know.

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia location

The Flagship Lounge is situated close to Gate A15 within 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 will discover the lounge situated one flooring above the terminal in an area that was reserved for US Airways’ Envoy Membership. American gut-renovated the house and likewise constructed a brand new Admirals Membership subsequent door to the Flagship Lounge.

All terminals at PHL are linked airside, which means that you simply will not must reclear safety to entry this lounge. That stated, simply remember to go away sufficient time to stroll to your gate in case you’re leaving from the B or C gates.

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

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia entry

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

Typically 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.

A number of different classes of premium vacationers are invited to make use of the Flagship Lounge, akin 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 would go along with the previous and save your miles for a extra priceless redemption down the road.)

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia design

As soon as inside, you may shortly discover that you’ve got entered an elevated house. The wood-lined entrance space offers means two entryways: the Flagship Lounge and the Admirals Membership.

Turning left will convey you into the 13,750-square-foot Flagship Lounge. The house is partitioned into a number of totally different lounge areas for the 200 flyers it may comfortably seat.

The primary space you may enter is the fireside and lounging house, which is designed to advertise rest. These fake fireplaces have grow to be a staple of American’s new lounge design idea, they usually do a very good job of serving to me unwind.

There’s a mixture of seating choices on this house, however my private favourite is the high-top seats lining the floor-to-ceiling home windows, which supply prime views of the apron and first runways within the distance.

The home windows assist flood the house with pure gentle, which is at all times a pleasant contact in an airport lounge.

Past the residing space is one other small rest house accented by a self-serve wine bar on one aspect and a small visitor service heart for last-minute journey assist.

The central focal space of the house is the eating room, which is cut up into two important seating areas. The primary is designed to be a bit extra of an on-the-go expertise, with quite a lot of tables and seating areas for diners. Lining this house is the lounge’s buffet and beverage station — however extra on that under.

Lastly, there is a correct eating space accented by lovely Philadelphia-inspired paintings on one wall.

The paintings includes the phrases of the Declaration of Independence, however totally 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 present Flagship Lounge areas. Out with harsh whites and vibrant reds, and in with much more pleasing tones that exude much more of an expensive contact than the 5 different present business-class-only lounges.

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia eating

The brand 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 service will supply wines, six beers and bartender-crafted cocktails and mocktails on the bar. (Different 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. These 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.

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

Because it does in any respect its Flagship Lounges, American has partnered with a preferred native chef. In Philly’s case, that is with Chef Randy Rucker, famed for his River Twice and Little Water eating places within the metropolis.

The menu, American says, will rotate seasonally, and it presently contains gadgets akin to roast pork sandwiches, whipped ricotta and blistered tomato toasts.

Other than the alcoholic drinks, there’s a beverage station with quite a lot of gentle drinks on faucet — a primary for American. (Goodbye, fountain machines.)

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

These with a candy tooth will definitely get pleasure from the brand new Flagship Lounge.

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

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia facilities

When it comes to facilities, Flagship Lounges may not be as much as the extent of Delta One Lounges or United Polaris Lounges, however the house nonetheless presents all of the fundamentals.

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

Moreover, the lounge’s restrooms are far nicer than mainly every other within 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, accessible on a first-come, first-served foundation. They’re stocked with Klur facilities, in addition to Dyson hair dryers and plush towels.

Moreover, there’s quick and free Wi-Fi accessible 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 Airways Admirals Membership Philadelphia Overview

Along with the brand new Flagship Lounge, American is opening a brand new Admirals Membership as a part of the broader A-West lounge redevelopment mission.

And whereas the Flagship Lounge is a severe improve, the Admirals Membership would possibly simply be the show-stopper. That is as a result of the present Admirals Golf equipment in Philly go away loads to be desired, and this one is a lot nicer. In reality, in case you unintentionally ended up within the Admirals Membership 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 is outfitted with the brand new design motifs that’ve popped up in Denver and Newark, full with a pretend hearth and extra luxurious seating choices.

The house measures 11,000 sq. toes with seating for 181 company. 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 within the Flagship Lounge.

Another highlights embody a children’ play space, two telephone cubicles and a small enterprise heart.

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

Maybe the perfect a part of the brand new house is that American has construct a versatile rest space behind the lounge’s entryway. That is designed to assist with overflow capability throughout peak departure banks, and it’ll rotate between serving the Admirals Membership and Flagship Lounge relying on demand.

Good work on American’s half to do no matter it may to cut back overcrowding.

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia backside line

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

Till now, the airline has provided lackluster lounge choices for vacationers passing via Philly. The airline’s lounges have not modified a lot from after they have been inherited from US Airways in the course of the merger in 2013, and plenty of flyers bemoan the state of disrepair that you will discover at a number of the American lounges at PHL. (That is why you may discover the savviest vacationers utilizing the newly opened Chase Sapphire Lounge at PHL, which stays the nicest within the airport.)

The excellent news is that American now presents two beautiful new areas for vacationers. The membership-based Admirals Membership is the most recent to characteristic the airline’s new modernized design motifs, whereas the Flagship Lounge is arguably the airline’s nicest one but.

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

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