One of the premium services that American Airlines offers is Flagship First Check-In. The catch is that eligibility for this doesn’t exactly match eligibility for any of American’s other premium services, so I wanted to go over the details of that in this post.
In this post:
What is American Flagship First Check-In?
Flagship First Check-In includes American’s most exclusive check-in facilities, available at select hubs. This is generally completely separate from the standard priority check-in that premium cabin passengers and elite members have access to.
What makes Flagship First Check-In special?
- It’s an exclusive area that’s partitioned off and separated from the rest of the terminal, typically with some seating
- It’s supposed to offer a higher level of service and shorter wait times, given how exclusive use of it is
- It generally offers fast track security, whereby you get a shortcut in the security line
Obviously this can be useful if you need any reservation assistance, are checking bags, etc. However, for those of us who travel light and check-in online, the only potential benefit is a shortcut at security. That could save you a bit of time, assuming there’s otherwise a wait.
Which airports have American Flagship First Check-In?
American’s Flagship First Check-In is currently available at four airports:
- At Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) it’s located in Terminal 3, near Checkpoint 8, by the standard first class check-in area
- At London Heathrow Airport (LHR) it’s located in Terminal 3, in Zone J
- At Los Angeles Airport (LAX) it’s located in Terminal 4, and there’s a separate curbside entrance for it
- At Miami Airport (MIA) it’s located in the North Terminal, in Concourse D, near curbside door two
On top of that, there’s also a similar check-in space at New York Kennedy Airport (JFK), but it’s shared between American Airlines and British Airways, and isn’t explicitly a Flagship First Check-In area. It’s located in Terminal 8, to the right of the standard premium check-in area.
Who has access to American Flagship First Check-In?
Access rules for American Flagship First Check-In can be kind of confusing, as they’re different than American Flagship Lounge access rules.
For better or worse, if you’re not eligible you’ll quickly find out, because Flagship First Check-In has a “bouncer” of sorts, who admits you if you’re eligible. There’s a list of passengers who have access to it, and if you’re not on the list, you won’t have access to it.
You can use Flagship First Check-In either based on the class of service you’re traveling in, or based on your elite status. So let’s look at the details of that.
Accessing Flagship First Check-In based on your ticket
Independent of your elite status, you can use Flagship First Check-In if you’re traveling on an eligible ticket in Flagship First or Flagship Business Plus (which is a fare bundle American offers select passengers in business class).
Flagship First itineraries include those between the United States and Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America, where you’re traveling in four cabin first class (meaning it’s a cabin above business class).
On top of that, Flagship First is available on select domestic nonstop flights, including select frequencies between the following city pairs:
- New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)
- New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO)
- New York (JFK) and Orange County (SNA)
- Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA)
- Los Angeles (LAX) and Boston (BOS)
Flagship First is only available on Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A321Ts. If you’re on any other type of aircraft, there’s not a Flagship First aircraft. That being said, American does sell Flagship Business Plus fares on some aircraft without first class.
Not that eligibility is based on same day travel. In other words, if you’re flying from Miami to Dallas to London (with the transatlantic flight in Flagship First), you could use Flagship First Check-In at Miami Airport.
Accessing Flagship First Check-In based on your status
It’s also possible to access Flagship First Check-In based on your elite status.
The following passengers receive Flagship First Check-In regardless of where they’re traveling, as long as they’re traveling on an American flight:
- American AAdvantage Concierge Key members
- oneworld Emerald members with programs other than American AAdvantage and Alaska Mileage Plan
- American Five Star Service customers (this is a special paid VIP ground service that American offers)
In addition to that, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive Flagship First Check-In when traveling in any cabin on a same day qualifying international itinerary. This includes flights between the United States and Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and South America (excluding Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela).
Interestingly even though AAdvantage Platinum Pro also gets you oneworld Emerald status, those members aren’t eligible for Flagship First Check-In.
Bottom line
Flagship First Check-In is American’s most exclusive check-in facility available at select hubs. It’s a nice service, but don’t get too excited, since check-in is something that many travelers can skip. I figured it would be worthwhile recapping who has access to these facilities, since it can cause some confusion.
If you’ve used American Flagship First Check-In, what was your experience like?
We booked Flagship from Miami -LAX but got on the plane and it was only 2 class service - this was in September
I believe Platinum Pro CAN use FF checkin on qualifying international flights operated by American.
Can i checkin at the AA flag checkin at Miami airport?
The American Airlines website says “If you have access to the Chelsea Lounge™ or Soho Lounge™ experiences or Five Star Service™, you can enjoy seated check-in for a luxurious start to your journey.” So as a holder of a flagship business ticket with platinum pro status I have access to the SoHo lounge. Can you clarify if this gives me access to seated checkin?
Can I use Flagship First check-in at ORD if I’m flying JAL F (ORD-HND) booked via AA miles?
Can I use the Flagship First check-in in LAX if I am AA EP and flying business in BA LAX-LHR?
"In addition to that, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive Flagship First Check-In when traveling in any cabin on a same day qualifying international itinerary. This includes flights between the United States and Asia, Australia... " I'm AA EP/OWE, and fly multiple times a year from JFK-LAX-SYD. I always fly paid business class & I've tried to use the JFK FF check-in a few times times but was always knocked back because my name was never on the list.
It's a nice bonus, and a potential godsend if the terminal is busy. I was travelling in economy from JFK to MCO (as an OW emerald [QF]) and had read about the service, and although the terminal wasn't busy I sought it out. As Ben mentioned there's a gate-keeper and my name was on his list but he missed it and had to go inside to check that I was eligible. Once inside I went...
It's a nice bonus, and a potential godsend if the terminal is busy. I was travelling in economy from JFK to MCO (as an OW emerald [QF]) and had read about the service, and although the terminal wasn't busy I sought it out. As Ben mentioned there's a gate-keeper and my name was on his list but he missed it and had to go inside to check that I was eligible. Once inside I went to an agent and sat at their desk to check my bag in, they commented on my 'nice new' Australian passport, and I was on my way to security. Not having TSA precheck I was diverted sideways to another queue. Don't know if I saved any time, or how much but it's worth it for the 'calm' of the process. The contrast with my subsequent check-in at MCO for my flight home couldn't have been more stark! First world issue to be sure.
I check in at the JFK Flagship First every month. The only benefit for me is immediate access to the front of the TSA security line. There was an AA employee who would escort you to the front of the TSA counter, but AA dropped this benefit last year. FYI, the lane to the front of the TSA counter is shared with those with TSA Precheck.
I also check in at the LAX Flagship...
I check in at the JFK Flagship First every month. The only benefit for me is immediate access to the front of the TSA security line. There was an AA employee who would escort you to the front of the TSA counter, but AA dropped this benefit last year. FYI, the lane to the front of the TSA counter is shared with those with TSA Precheck.
I also check in at the LAX Flagship First every month. I have not received any other benefit since Flagship First Dining was dropped at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lucky you! I used the JFK Flagship First and the AA service rep DID NOT walk me through to the front of the TSA security line. They left me in the Business class line which took forever!
MIA had it right, they took me to the frot of the line and saved me a ton of time.
Delta One check-in is replicating BA's First Wing. That is, private check-in, private security screening, and direct passage to the lounge. AA's FF has the private check-in but standard security and no direct entry into the lounge. Major shortcomings.
At what airport(s)?
What are the rules for the “non-Flagship” special check in on the right side?
I could have sworn there either is or was one in DFW? There is a special AA area that you have to walk into at several terminals, there is 2-3 stands for checking in, and they walk You to the front of security.
There isn't one in DFW
Unfortunately not. There is a Flagship First restaurant at DFW, inside the Flagship Lounge. It's in Terminal D between gates D21 and D22.