American Airlines Serving Krug Champagne In Lounges

It's "just" the NV Grande Cuvee, though 😉

Meh, I rather they spend the money on more legroom and IFE screens.

The food I’ve had at LAX has consistently been awful, to the point that the buffet outside is better. At least the champagne will be something to stop by for.

I have visited both JFK and LAX Flagship Dining. Both have green experiences. The servings are small, but that's ok.

I thought the flagship dining at JFK was ok, but nothing amazing. I'm always down for some krug though.

I was recently at the Flagship in ORD for a short bit after a JAL flight before continuing on to CLT. The breakfast buffet spread was pretty good by lounge standards. My only issue was that in the mornings, the sun shines straight into the windows and makes it uncomfortably hot if you want the unobstructed tarmac views. I didn't see any shades that could be lowered to help alleviate the offending sunlight.

Given there are free cocktails this isn’t a deal, similar to purchasing the lobster for $35 dollars at an all inclusive when the filet / lamb / duck is free. If they had an off-premise license you may be on to something. Maybe a fun redemption if you have endless miles.

"If someone knows they’re having something that’s expensive and exclusive, they’re more likely to think highly of it… and there’s nothing wrong with that."

There's nothing wrong with that? Yuck!

Maybe they should try to do something better at DFW. Just had a lay over on a FC flight LHR-DFW-LAX route, and the best they could do is the standard J lounge, with a couple of free drink coupons each. And of course, no Krug. We settled for Negronis. Best they could say is the Flag lounge is projected to open "next March".

What's with the two coupons anyway? Any other FC lounge would be unlimited. Just because the Flag lounge isn't finished, that's no reason to stick FC TATL passengers with 2 coupons, regardless of the length of the lay over. How about a "drinks are on the house" coupon?

On the other hand the Cathay Pacific FC lounge at LHR went far beyond expectations, with menu based table service. Even if we did have to walk over to the J lounge for the full bar.

I hope they are not sourcing from this guy. https://nypost.com/2017/10/07/how-an-illegal-immigrant-pulled-off-the-greatest-wine-scam-in-us-history/

Good thing the airline in disArrAy is shelling out money on something so pointless. What AAre they trying to accomplish by doing this?

Great timing as I'm flying Flagship First on Monday, looking forward to a nice glass of champagne.

Krug in Delta Sky Clubs is gone though, sadly.

https://thriftytraveler.com/delta-changes-sky-club-champagne-menu-bookable-skymiles/

I am flying F on a transcon from JFK to SFO in a few weeks at 6:59 AM. Should I show up at the lounge at 5:30 AM and drink Krug mimosas?

@ Anthony -- Heck yes!!

I hadn't seen Krug associated with Delta since late 2001 into 2002 when they were suddenly pouring it in biz-elite and just as suddenly stopped... figured back then that someone had stumbled into a trove left over from the days of those maroon leather recliners.

Both lax and jfk had excellent food options on my visits over this past year. The only difference for me is being driven to the plane at JFK all 5 visits this year. The lovely older woman who escorts you via backdoor to the awaiting SUV is just so friendly.

@Anthony: I’m sorry to tell you, but New York City law forbids alcohol before 8 AM Monday-Saturday and before 12 PM on Sundays.
I was in this unfortunate situation lately 🙁

I was in the Flagship First Dining Room at JFK seven days ago and it was Bollinger, not Krug, being served. Then on the plane the Champagne was only Charles Ellner. One sip was enough.

If you think Krug or Dom Perignon is great, you meed to try ACTUAL quality champagne. Try Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque Vintages. Krug and Dom are garbage.

@Mike - Krug is garbage. That's a bit extreme man.

Hi Lucky,

I don't know how often it happens, but I was invited to the Flagship First Dining even though I was in Business class headed from LAX to Mexico. I saw them handing out quite a few passes. This was in June, so, unfortunately, no Krug.

"If someone knows they’re having something that’s expensive and exclusive, they’re more likely to think highly of it… and there’s nothing wrong with that."

There's quite a lot wrong with that actually... Materialism at its worst!

You also get access to flagship first dining at JFK flying Cathay first. I did recently JFK to YVR. Nice but I’ll take better whisky over champagne any day. Food was very good as was service .

@Mike - Krug Grand Cuvee is a fine mid-range champagne. The tones are not too complex and the acidity is fine to accompany a multitude of dishes. My personal favorites are Salon Brut Blanc 2006 and Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1998.

@Mike: I would not consider any branded vintage to be "good" champagne, they are all 110% marketing and have little or no relation to their terroir...If you want proper champagne try Agrapart, Selosse, Egly-Ouriet, Lamandier-Bernier, etc. Those are the real deal, not chemically induced sugary nonsense like any expensive vintage...

Does anyone really care about champagne?

@Mike - yes, many do and apparently you do too - enough to comment.

I'm sure you have hobbies or likes that no one else cares about.

My issue with Flagship First dining at LAX isn't the food or the champagne, it's the obscene amount of square footage given over to something that's used by so few people. I get it, they want exclusivity. But it's come at a cost - the Admirals Club was reduced in size by half and it's very common to walk in and find nowhere to sit. The Flagship Lounge is laid out *terribly* and is often completely full at peak times as well.

Mark my words, we'll see the interior of the LAX lounge rearranged again within a few years. If the Flagship First dining concept survives at all (I'm skeptical) it'll be reduced in size. They have a limited footprint to work with, and right now too much space is allocated to something that often has almost nobody using it.

I did a visit in late June only to my disappointment: They had temporarily downgraded Bollinger. It’s good to see the upgrade, that was certainly the weak point IMO.

I'm a CK with AA, so they invite me to FFD even on a PE ticket. I've never been that impressed with the food they serve and am still bitter they now serve crap, off-label champagne in the main part of the FL. Going for great, my ass.

The best North American premium lounge is still the AC Signature Suite at YYZ