American Airlines has just opened its new Admirals Club at Denver Airport (DEN), and it’s only the third lounge to feature the carrier’s new design motif.
In this post:
Basics of the new American Admirals Club Denver
As of October 18, 2023, American Airlines has opened its brand new Admirals Club at Denver Airport. The 6,000-square foot lounge has a seating capacity for 114 guests, and is located on the upper mezzanine level of Concourse C, between gates C30 and C32. The lounge is open daily from 4:30AM until 11:30PM. There’s complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the lounge, with all seats having access to AC and USB outlets.
American describes the lounge’s ambiance as drawing inspiration from the outdoors. The lounge has an accent ceiling and a fireplace, which the airline claims creates an experience like a night under the stars by an outdoor bonfire (perhaps a bit of a stretch, but…). The lounge also uses lots of natural elements, like wood, stone, metal, and biophilic accents.
For context, in late 2022, American revealed a new Admirals Club design concept. This debuted at the Admirals Club Washington National (DCA), and then the Admirals Club Newark (EWR) became the second airport to get this design. Now a third lounge has been upgraded.
American recently refreshed its Admirals Club catering, and the new lounge has some improved options:
- New food options include pancakes served with fruit and cashew-hempseed granola, chipotle chicken tacos served on Raquelita’s tortillas, Marco’s tomato and poblano salsa with Raquelita’s tortilla chips, and desserts, including Rocky Road brownies
- New drink options include a regional signature cocktail Colorado Bulldog and locally inspired Bloody Mary cocktail, and Michelada served with a locally-sourced bison stick; you can also expect popular local beer, including local craft beer Cerveceria Colorado Mi Vida IPA
- The lounge will also have grab & go options, including Bobo’s Apple Pie Oat Bites and Boulder Canyon Sea alt Kettle Chips
Below you can see some of the pictures of the new Admirals Club Denver, which American has shared.
How to access American Admirals Clubs
There are a variety of ways to access American Admirals Clubs, ranging from buying an Admirals Club membership, to having elite status and being on an eligible itinerary.
Personally I access Admirals Clubs using the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (review), which is one of my all around favorite airline credit cards. The card has a $595 annual fee, and offers an Admirals Club membership for the primary cardmember. In and of itself that represents cost savings compared to a membership, as the cheapest cost for an Admirals Club membership is higher than that.
This Admirals Club also follows standard oneworld lounge access rules, so if you’re on an eligible oneworld itinerary, you’d get access to this lounge as well.
See my guide to American Admirals Club access.
Bottom line
American has opened its new Admirals Club at Denver Airport, which is only the third lounge to feature the carrier’s new design concept. This Admirals Club looks great, and is a solid option for those traveling out of United’s hub on American. It’s probably not a coincidence that the two latest Admirals Clubs to open with the new design are both at United hubs.
What do you make of the new American Admirals Club Denver?
Before You conveniently state Coincidence as a factor in why AA invested in New Clubs at United Hub locations Why not state the FACTS.....AA moved to a new Terminal in EWR and relocated its operations in DEN. State the FACTS, not the unnecessary commentary which only suits Your agenda. JFC!
I visited the three new UA lounges at DEN a few weeks ago and was impressed. Next month I'll be in the AA lounge to see how it compares but it seems far superior to the previous dumpy lounge.
1) Sucks that AA won't be actually using those cool new "focal point fireplaces" to quote "reduce emissions". Such BS. They designed these in 2023. Make it where it's low emissions and still adds ambiance to the space!!! Ridiculous.
2) Glad to see AA doing something (albeit small) to kick back and stand up against United & it's former whizz boy Kirby.
Hope the bathrooms are better than the Delta Sky Club situation at Denver where you leave the club and go to a public restroom that’s password protected but hasn’t been cleaned all day clearly.
New design looks good in pictures (kind of), but is not functional. The food bar at DCA is on a different side from soft seating and has a bottle neck configuration. And, the chair and carpet configuration slows one down when looking to exit.
But, overall AA lounges have been terrific since the upgraded food. We've enjoyed the selections, and appreciate they are not the same as what one can get on the concourse,...
New design looks good in pictures (kind of), but is not functional. The food bar at DCA is on a different side from soft seating and has a bottle neck configuration. And, the chair and carpet configuration slows one down when looking to exit.
But, overall AA lounges have been terrific since the upgraded food. We've enjoyed the selections, and appreciate they are not the same as what one can get on the concourse, kept the snack mixes, and also have allergen info. Earlier this year the baklava in DC was a nice touch. The breakfast selection is better than the concourse, and that one can get a yogurt and fresh fruit to go has been a time saver. Also, the folks working at the lounges are friendly, great people by name, etc. Most importantly, have appreciated that they treat our well behaved 5 year old child like a full fledged person (he's been raking up the flights, too).
Just not sure why they are always looking downward and doing things on their computers when they are approached for check-in? Does anyone know if they handle overflow telephone calls?
Also, appreciate the clean bathrooms (even if they can be old depending on the airport).
I know we're paying for the lounge, but its well worth the spend if spending anytime in the airport.
*Just wish people would be a bit more considerate and not eat with their fingers while in the serving lines.
That's an incredible investment at an airport where they have such a small % of the market. Look nice though...maybe a bit dark...
FWIW British Airways has a DEN flight, I'm sure those passengers will appreciate this.
True, but BA flights leave on concourse A and this lounge is on C. Not at all convenient for BA
Do you have to pay for the food and drinks ? I thought the old lounge made you pay.
House drinks free....premium drinks with a cost.
Great addition and much needed. The staff at this lounge are typically very helpful and personable too.
Agreed. The AA crew and lounge attendants are great.
In case anyone from AA is reading: Should have mentioned above that the mozzarella and tomato skewers are a nice addition, as are the cucumbers and salad ingredients. Very much appreciate the vegetables and fruit.
Has American said when the new lounge at AUS will open? (I ask the staff of the current lounge occasionally and even they don't know.)
Nope. I would assume it has to do with all of the drama around the canceled leases at the satellite terminal and "up in the air" expansion plans. Doesn't really instill confidence to tenants making a huge & long term investments for a city council to then just cancel your lease, evict You/kick you out, and rip up Your agreement.
Brad - that's super helpful!
Where is that food in the final picture? The most exciting thing I've seen since the catering 'refresh' has been whole bacon strips. Nothing like the brunch/tapas shown there lol.
Considering how few flights American has out of Denver - it's not even top 10 in number of daily passengers or number of daily departures domestically - I'm surprised they would make such a large investment at DEN.
I wonder if BA invested in this as well, as its their contract lounge for their DEN-LHR flight.
AS can use it, too, right? Now that both AA and AS are in the C Concourse, the location makes a lot of sense (not to mention bigger, exterior windows, etc.), though the BA passengers will now have to backtrack to A where their flights depart. Does Aer Lingus get to use these lounges? If so, their flights start next year.
Given how hard it is to find real estate at airports, maybe it...
AS can use it, too, right? Now that both AA and AS are in the C Concourse, the location makes a lot of sense (not to mention bigger, exterior windows, etc.), though the BA passengers will now have to backtrack to A where their flights depart. Does Aer Lingus get to use these lounges? If so, their flights start next year.
Given how hard it is to find real estate at airports, maybe it was just opportunistic. Get it now or never get it. Or maybe AA is planning to increase its presence at DEN.
Aer Lingus isn't a part of OneWorld any longer, although I believe they are a part of the JV. So it would depend on the ticket and how it was purchased. Same goes for Alaska. If they are on a qualifying flight, then yes.
DEN only has one Terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, the AA lounge is on the C Concourse, and between Gates C30 and C32.