Review: American Admirals Club Washington (DCA)

Definitely a step up and what a modern airline club should be. The other nice thing is that because this is down at the Eagle gates some people aren't willing to walk that far.

Ben, would you say this Admirals Club is comparable to Delta's newer SkyClubs?

I have robust airline lounge access and have little need to ever use Amex lounges. But, given the quality of these new/updated airline lounges, I'm not certain I would ever have a desire to use Amex lounges.

Looks awesome. Is AUS the next one slated to open?

Wow Ben, you are so productive today love it

Definitely an improvement, but the color palate feels a little dark. It's nice when it's all clean and new, but I have a bad feeling it will look worn/dated/dirty sooner than we think.

The table/booth dining areas that you pass by on the way to the bathroom don't have power outlets, annoyingly. Feels like an oversight.

@Ben, I mentioned this in your previous post about this lounge, but what was your take on the power outlet situation? There don't seem to be any in the dining area. The lounging area/sofas don't seem to have them either. Unless they're hidden, it seems like a huge miss.

American Operates from DCA concourses C, D and E (not just D and E). C is shared with jetBlue

FINALLY, there's something that's NOT horrible at Washington National Airport!

Blow me over with a feather!

Maybe next American can figure out how to clean the interiors of its planes...

I went through here (attempted to) in November. I was flying DCA -JFK in F and had my BA Gold number on my boarding card. I was told that I needed to by flying international to use the lounge as a BA Gold. Domestic F to NYC wasn't good enough! I explained this was incorrect and the gentleman at the counter said no dice. Rather than argue with him. My flight to JFK was no better. the Republic operated flight attendant refused to let me use the coat closet, at first saying it was full. When I pointed out I was the first person on the plane, she said there were no hangers. When we arrived in JFK, she threw the coat closet door open and behold there were plenty of hangers and plenty of room.
Don't you just love AA?

What's so horrible about DCA specifically beyond AA? I find it to be one of the most convenient airports in the country and have generally positive experiences there.

No, thank you. You have to pay $450-$650 a year to access that for a cup of coffee and cheese cubes. The aadmirals lounges are horrible, even compared with United or Delta.

@Ben - SFO Admirals Club used to have a fireplace before they moved.

@Ben - nice review, does look like a big improvement from other AA lounges.
one small type-o:
Now let’s take a look at the other side of the lounge, which has plenty of seating for those who are looking to relax rather than eat or walk at a table.

think you mean "eat or work at a table"

Generally, DCA is actually a pretty good airport, especially after the 1997 opening of the "new" terminal building (the one that houses AA / AS / DL / UA); before then it was only the old terminal building, and was a national US embarrassment.

Speaking only for myself, while I love the ease of access with DCA (it's the perfect location for DC denizens), it's just getting to the point that seemingly all the time they are undergoing major construction projects and traffic re-routes and new congestion at unobvious/unexpected times, etc. I'm at the point that I LOVE getting there, but have to take a deep breath once I exit the GW Parkway and enter the airport proper.

The new AA lounge (along with the new gates, as anyone who hears or sees "35X" will agree) looks like the first nice thing I'm seeing at the airport in eons, however I'm speaking from a certain level of emotion on the subject. As you can tell from my word vomit on the subject.

I think the Delta SkyClub is beautiful at DCA, easily as nice as what this American lounge looks like from the photos. The United lounge is also interesting with its historic architecture and design. I also think the airport is a lot more convenient for passengers now that the "new" terminals are connected post-security (when I was last there, A still was not connected after security).

The only issue now is the Yellow metro line suspension - once that is back (in May or probably much later), DCA will be very convenient again.

Ummm... there's a lot more than coffee and cheese cubes. Did you even read the article?

That's really odd - I use my Royal Air Maroc sapphire status at the DCA lounges for access all the times. Never an issue.

There are some hidden under counters, but you have to have a really small cube on your outlet or it won't fit.

I agree that there’s something off with the colour palette. I like the wood, but the fabric and colours of the upholstered furniture doesn’t quite work.

Design wise - looks nicer than the Chelsea lounge at JFK! So strange. Does no one in AA talk to each other?!

DCA - my home airport. While the new lounge is attractively furnished, the offerings are the same. The wooden ceiling bar are just a way to hide the more loft, unfinished look - which you see through the wood slats.

The people at the older C and D locations are more familiar. I don't go over to the new lounge unless I have a flight out of E. I find the older lounges have a cozier atmosphere.

Ben, any word on when other locations will be rolled out? Which airports? DFW has 5 Admirals Lounges and we could use this at frankly ALL of them! I know PHL Flagship Lounge is coming soon as well.

Nope, frankly he did not or can't read!!
Hahahaha 😉

Great review, thanks Ben........ Hope to see in person later this month! I always seem to stop at the small B-C gate lounge for a quic bite & drink and run.

In December I was in the new & very largeLGA lounge and was very pleasantly surprised by everything about it. Unfortunately the staff at reception were completely unhelpful and let AA down but apart from that, this lounge was very impressive. Whilst it is a domestic lounge, AA staff should be more on top of the needs of international passengers which they are definitely not. For some reason there were actually very few people in it during the couple of hours I was there, so it was easy to explore the many different areas to sit depending on whether one was working, drinking, chatting, watching the big screens etc. Fortunately there seemed to be power outlets everywhere which is a great plus. Whilst there were free basic alcoholic beverages, guacamole service and plenty of food, I did think the food offering was very average.There was a lot of staff, literally walking around taking orders & looking for something to do which was interesting but maybe I just struck a quiet moment in the hubbing system.

I just hope they have a separate section for slobs. I’m getting tired of going into a crowded club and seeing people with their feet up on a table, where other people put their food, and others that stretch out, with their luggage, over two or three chairs, oblivious to others that are looking for an open seat.

I agree, I visited it in September and it was very spacious and nice. I also enjoyed the layout and all the little "nook and crannies", places to sit down in peace without too many around. But also, the staff wasn't friendly or attentive at all to me as well. The coffee machines were all down too.

Was there early December 2022.
It was fairly empty, and I like the decor.
But I feel the food offering from 12pm to 4pm were weak. Only taco station with ground feef.