While my flight to Hong Kong was only departing at 10:40AM, I got to the airport at around 4:30AM, so that I could get to the Flagship Lounge right when it opened (so that I could photograph it while it was still empty).
Continue reading: Review: American Flagship Lounge Dallas DFW
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When visiting the DFW Flagship Lounge I found it disappointing that there was not a “dinner buffet” different from the setup they had at lunch...
How did you take all these photos with not one person around, not even at check in tables?
The boxed water is terrible.
While I support sustainability, it is not drinkable.
@Endre Those particular tables are the service counters where you request showers, I think, different than check-in.
@Lucky, if I'm connecting in DFW to MIA before my international flight that would qualify me for access at MIA, would I also be able to enter in DFW? I think so since it's same day international flight on AA in business, but couldn't tell for sure.
@Lucky - if you really enjoy La Colombe, they're out of Philly and will deliver you coffee on a monthly basis for at home. My wife and I moved away from PHL recently and get it delivered!
Admirals Club - GIG has people in lab coats who constantly monitor food temps in the buffet. Handheld, wireless thermometers used with the data recorded by hand. Very impressive.
ORD Flagship Lounge had both bottled San Pellegrino and canned Perrier available last week.
The breakfast buffet looks great, not sure what more someone could want with that spread. Tons of variety. Especially in a lounge at breakfast time. It's an open air lounge, the food ain't gonna be hot.
Talley is an unusual and very, very good Central Coast winery. Currently my favorite thing about Flagship lounges.
Looks like they are changing up their champagne offering quite a bit. The best I've seen available was Bollinger at their JFK lounge, then Tattinger. I imagine they choose the quality of wines / champagnes, depending on how high yielding each hub is. I would hazard a guess that JFK would rank number 1, with ORD a likely 2nd.
Yes, I much prefer self-serve alcohol. It's like being treated like an adult.
Now, if there is a specialist guy making cocktails to order that is great too, but only as an alternative and not in place of.
No issue with tips either, of course
@DDJK - You are allowed to access the Flagship lounge in both cities as long as its the same day (which is a bit loose in my experience, but that's what their website states).
I never understand the obsession with "premium" water. I carry a refillable bottle with me and just refill from the water stations that are now ubiquitous in airports and other public spaces. The sheer waste of single use water is staggering.
Texas caviar is not the most American Airlines thing ever, SkyClub had them for years.
I vote for Perrier.
Considering AA has the Admirals' Club, I really wish they'd tighten up the requirements to get in to their Flagship Lounges. It really should be premium-cabin exclusive except for OWS/OWE, and CK's. AAdvantage members flying in non-premium cabins should go to the Admirals Clubs. It would allow AA to improve Flagship offerings (and their reputation) for INTL pax and long-haul travel, reduce crowding, and have a reason to treat their Admirals' Clubs as more than just airline-limited paid lounges.
This actually begs the question, can anyone explain what is the purpose of paying for an Admirals' Club membership in the first place? If you have to fly AA to use it, it seems like an awfully poor purchase compared to getting an Amex Plat and/or a CC with Priority Pass.
@Jon I'd just get the Executive CC at that point, you save money and get extra benefits.
Believe it or not, American Airlines didn’t make up Texas Caviar... it actually is a Texas thing, which would be fitting for an airline based out of (wait for it)... Texas.
The record is 12 boxed waters and 8 cans of Perrier shoved into my bag before my flight to MEX. The champagne was decent. Would go again.
The DFW Flagship is a nice space. But the food there is consistently well below the quality of the food offered at all the other Flagship lounges.
If you're worried about "sustainability" and "recyclability," then aluminum cans are your choice. There is virtually no chance that those plastic lined boxes can ever be recycled. Aluminum cans are the one thing in this country that is recycled almost 100% of the time.
Is adding a microwave somehow hard? Is there something low-class about a microwave?
Texas Caviar is a real thing, often served at New Year’s Eve as the requisite black eyed peas symbolizing money (they swell when cooked). I also like that AA serves made to order fresh guacamole in the non-Flagship lounges.
Texas Caviar is a real thing y’all- often served at New Year’s Eve as the requisite black eyed peas symbolizing money (they swell when cooked). I also like that AA serves made to order fresh guacamole in the non-Flagship lounges.
@Endre- first sentence:
"I got to the airport at around 4:30AM, so that I could get to the Flagship Lounge right when it opened (so that I could photograph it while it was still empty)."
No one can accuse Ben of slouching. Even as an early riser, 4:30 airport is rough!
Texas Caviar has also been known to be served in United Clubs (systemwide, not just IAH)
I’m not sure I’d care for a “solid drink” - it might be a little hard to swallow!
I'd love a post about the United Clubs. They vary alot and I think some should honestly be shut down by the heath department. Itravel throuwgh EWR 3-4 times a month and there are ALWAYS flies and insects crawling around the food.
I’m surprised you prefer food at AA flagship lounges over delta SkyClubs. I dont love Delta (mostly due to SkyMiles) but have to admit the food at JGK and SEA SkyClubs is pretty good. At AA DFW flagship, everything was tasteless to me. But But But AA has the best wine by far...,If you like small euro-style producers—and you should! 🙂
Yawn. This looks like a glorified Admirals Club. I'd take the Polaris lounge (and Polaris seat) any day over American's Flagship Business experience.
Can anyone tell me if I get access coming back to US from Qatar business and then a domestic connecting flight in coach?
Your review is wrong. AA Platinum members can only access the Flagship Lounge when flying on international flights in Business or Premium Economy.
@ LNYC -- I'm 100% sure I'm right. AAdvantage Platinums don't need to be in business or premium economy to use this lounge. You can see AA's rules here if you don't believe me:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/flagship-lounge.jsp
The worst thing about this club is the muzak that they play LOUDLY. I've never noticed it in LAX, MIA, ORD, or JFK, but at DFW it has been loud enough for me to comment to the staff on my last two visits.
As a Qantas Platinum, One World Emerald this is my go to lounge when flying into and out of the US. Last visit, 3 weeks ago, saw some decent tacos being made fresh. The F & B is a bit hit and miss to be honest but it's fine as a place to freshen up before the 17 hour trek back to Sydney
@LYNC--Ben is absolutely right based on my personal experience. I am Platinum for Life and have been admitted twice into the Flagship Lounge in JFK and once in ORD while flying economy. A family member was given Platinum as a status challenge and she was admitted twice into the Flagship Lounge in MIA while flying economy. Still another family member was Platinum and she was admitted into the Flagship Lounge in JFK while flying economy.
@Chris--I was just in the Delta Skyclubs in JFK and LAX last week. Sure, the Delta SkyClub food was pretty good and is much better than Admirals Clubs or United Clubs (pretty low standards, I admit), but personally, I'd take Flagship Lounge food anytime over Delta SkyClubs.
Excellent Lounge . Loved Lobster roll and wine from the flagship. They have excellent food and drink choices .I hope they open one in London too . London lounge getting very old .But AA staff over there are just Amazing . They always go above and beyond to assist pax . Excellent breakfast , Champaign ( Moet) , Faster internet , Very nice shower shower..what else you need ??? If they can give responsibilities of on board services ( F class and J class ) to these AA lounge crew members They will do an amazing job for sure . I have to say who ever managing AA Lounge Deoartment doing excellent Job. Well done AA
In my opinion the general layout is not as good as the old lounge; if you want to enjoy the views you have to sit in what feels like a long corridor. No place really to relax. I thought the old lounge actually had a better layout that way.
Food and drinks are solid, more than you can expect, and coffee - while not a barista station - is still much better than the old machines dispensing instant coffee. But I totally agree that the furniture, materials, decor and ambience are in a different (lower) league than Polaris lounges. Looks cheap and designed for easy maintenance rather than elegance and comfort.
And don't get me started about the "art"...
I agree the breakfast is very good and the Flagship lounge is much better than the regular Admirals club at DFW. Unfortunately, the afternoon lounge offerings were so terrible and inedible, I left and ate at Chik fil A
DFW is my least favorite of the Flagships - compared to MIA, JFK, ORD.
The food offering at DFW for evening is not as good as the others. MIA is much better with carved meat at times. I mentioned it to the DFW server, that DFW was significantly less then MIA, JFK others.
No sure why? Maybe I just hit DFW on a bad day.
Is that St. George Green Chile vodka in one of your pictures? That would be one of the most shocking (and amazing) things to ever happen in the context of American Airlines.
My thoughts:
Champagne choice is fairly cheap, they need an upgrade desperately.
San Pellegrino goes flat so quickly, I hate it. While Perrier is not my first choice it is better.
Chardonnay choice is fine, but that Rosé is not. Generally i avoid California Rosé as it is just too sweet. French is preferred.
Texas Caviar has been around since at least the 1960s.
No guacamole? They had it at JFK in September.
the boxed water is terrible, that is unless you are flying to MEX haha in that case i try to take at least 5 from the lounge.
Just visited the Miami Flagship Dining on Dec 29th (after a lovely **ugh** time in The Villages), and I agree things are inconsistent - at least in Miami.
The food was great. Love the Krug. The service was below average and spotty at best. The worst is you could hear the dishwasher whirring loudly from the dining room. Not exactly peaceful.
Given how much money they seem to be pumping into the Flagship experience, you'd think they could hire managers of the dining experiences that could make the details shine.
But I suppose that is the story of American Airlines: what details?
I regularly go through this lounge, and though not ideal, have managed to catch a few hours of sleep in the “nap room” when I was really tired once.
Recently flew through the Flagship lounge in LAX and th “nap room” is next to the entrance for Flagship First Dining. I was there around 0400-0630 and it was hard to sleep with the lights on, no bedding (luckily I had an AA blanket from the flight before and my own pillow), plus worse still, staff and the first class pax they were escorting talking at the top of their voices. What use is a “quiet room” (as per their signage) when there’s no door to close it off from the rest of the lounge, and no one is quiet when they walk past?!
You are right AAdvantage Platinums can access Flagship Lounge but only if they are flying outbound on a international flight, Platinum is also the same as OneWorld Sapphire Tier which is allowed in but only First class, Busness class and Emerald Tier can access the resturant.