In July 2023, American Airlines implemented some changes to its Admirals Clubs. While the Admirals Club membership fee was increased, the airline also promised to make some improvements. These changes included better food, an expanded selection of complimentary alcohol, and even grab and go snacks.
American is progressively rolling out these changes at lounges, and I just had my first experience with the new food, and figured I’d report back. What’s my take? Well, I’m moderately impressed by the changes, but perhaps that also reflects my really low expectations.
In this post:
A look at the Admirals Club Miami breakfast spread
This morning I visited the American Admirals Club Miami, and noticed some changes to the food selection. To give you a sense of what the food was like, you can find the menu below.
So, what did the buffet consist of?
In terms of cold options, there were hardboiled eggs, sliced fruit (mango, pineapple, and strawberries), Chobani yogurt, smoked salmon and cucumber bites, pastries, bagels, croissants, cereal, whole fruit, and spreads.
In terms of hot options, there were buttermilk pancakes, applewood smoked bacon, and oatmeal, along with accompaniments.
My take on the new Admirals Club food selection
Admittedly I only visited the Admirals Club when the breakfast spread was out, and that’s usually the least exciting meal of the day. Nonetheless, I was generally impressed by the presentation and effort that went into the selection.
For example, while the cucumber and salmon bites aren’t particularly filling, they take some effort to put together. Similarly, the pancakes were at least nicely presented, and the pastries looked a bit better than the old muffins American used to have.
Personally I wish both of the featured hot options (pancakes and bacon) weren’t so unhealthy. Hopefully American rotates that over time, and can feature some healthier egg dishes, or something.
I definitely think the new selection is a bit more premium than before. Is it life changing? Absolutely not. Is it as good as you’ll find in Delta Sky Clubs? Also not… but then again, Admirals Clubs don’t have quite the same crowding issues as Sky Clubs.
Lastly, I know Admirals Clubs are supposed to get new grab and go snacks, but those haven’t been rolled out yet. I’m curious to see what those are like. I don’t think it’ll be anything like at the Capital One Lounge DFW, though hopefully it’ll be something.
Bottom line
American Airlines is rolling out new catering in its Admirals Clubs, with a change that coincides with a higher membership fee. American promised more premium catering. I’d say the airline has made some positive improvements, though manage your expectations. The improvements are minimal — you’ll notice them, but they probably won’t change your overall impression of Admirals Clubs.
If you’ve experienced the new Admirals Club catering, what was your impression?
Im a fan of the new breakfast spread with one exception - stocking wheat bagels seems designed to deter people from actually taking the bagels.
The food is disgusting. The day you came to take pictures they must have known as I’ve never seen most of these offerings and I fly AA almost exclusively. Eggs worse than you ate at camp and green paste for guacamole? They should be ashamed of themselves.
What is their allergy to plain yogurt? I mean, at least they use the lower calorie blended Chobani, but why not offer plain? It tastes better, especially when you add fruit to it, and makes a truly healthy option. I'd love it with the oatmeal and hard boiled eggs.
To date we have visited only the DCA Club and I can say the mini crabcakes were quite tasty and a nice improvement. I may have had one too many? Will be visiting the DFW and SFO Clubs next week. Curious to see what they will be offering?
Delta has AA Clubs beat -- Go into the ones at DFW and then compare to Delta at JFK -- good grief -- Delta is off the charts amazing -- AA - Meh - like a Holiday Inn buffet.
One ask of the Admirals Club. Please, for the love of all things, don't include cheese boult into an entrée. Cheese can be added - but not subtracted. just give people shredded cheese to melt into their breakfast - don't assume we all want to have Gi issues the rest of our travels.
The MIA lounge food looks to be in much better shape than when I passed through a few weeks ago on the day of the initial rollout.
The food looks terrible. And the food isn’t great at any of the U.S. airlines, but I will say that American is particularly bad. Delta and United have been influenced by their foreign partners a bit and have more variety…although only a little bit more. Other than the Star Alliance lounge at LAX and the AMEX lounges, all the food in US loungers is pretty terrible.
Looks like the US Foods delivery truck arrived on time. I would presume French chefs would take a look at the spread and chuckle in pity.
Like we care a bit. I'm not even American yet and I just love pancakes and bacon for breakfast. And I do chuckle in pity with current state France.
There food is horrible! Full stop. Even the soho lounge at JFK serves garbage!
In the few months I've been to Admirals Clubs in LGA, DCA, PIT, YYZ, BOS, CLT, etc. Yeah, definitely, the food offerings have improved but am I the only person who misses the 'Chuckwagon Chili' they used to serve before the pandemic? I haven't seen it quite a while and it was surprisingly very tasty.
I've been to 2 ACs since the "upgrade." Is the food offering better than it was? Yes. Is it anything to get excited about or go out of your way for? No. Chocolate chip cookies are pretty tasty, though.
And for those dying to know, DCA AC at D gates finally has the new espresso machine up and running. This made me happy.
I'm a frequent Admiral's Club visitor that is feeling the slow burn of increased membership renewal cost that will soon hit.
My base airport is MIA and the food offering there has clearly improved, both morning and evening. Pastries are better, hot food has incorporated other selections than the same 2 items that have been served for the past 6 months, and the pop-up stations serving smoked salmon or avocado on toast and guacamole/chips...
I'm a frequent Admiral's Club visitor that is feeling the slow burn of increased membership renewal cost that will soon hit.
My base airport is MIA and the food offering there has clearly improved, both morning and evening. Pastries are better, hot food has incorporated other selections than the same 2 items that have been served for the past 6 months, and the pop-up stations serving smoked salmon or avocado on toast and guacamole/chips continue to be a good offering.
The MIA clubs need to keep their equipment working; coffee machines and soda dispensers continue to break, something that shouldn't be an issue in an "upgraded' club. Base wine offerings should be part of the improved offerings as well.
"Bacon is one of the healthiest things you can eat..."
Where do I even begin with this inane & scientifically defeated assertion? Dude, enjoy the taste of your burnt & cancerous animal carcass, but it isn't "naturally" healthy.
Carnivore idiots are gonna carnivore, just like vegan zealots are gonna vegan. Every randomized control trial of any reasonable design says that eating less saturated fat and less heavily processed meat, both of which bacon is, is a good thing.
Matt - Are you serious?
Both cured and uncured bacon contains nitrates and nitrites that transform into carcinogenic nitrosamines
Bacon is high in saturated fat and cholesterol
Studies consistently show a link between processed meat consumption, heart disease and several types of cancer.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/4719/
What about the warm egg seasonings on the menu?
I'm so confused by that. Who would want the warm egg seasonings without the warm eggs?
Please stop perpetrating the myth that things that have fat are bad for you. Bacon is one of the healthiest things you can eat, with natural fat and protein, as long as it's not laced/cured with tons of sugar.
Hi Matt, I think you’re misinterpreting what Ben was saying. Bacon is an unhealthy meat regardless of fat content. Pancakes don’t have much fat, so again, you’re not reading it correctly. Eggs are a cleaner source of protein than bacon and Bacon is most certainly not “one of the healthiest things you can eat”.
Traditional, American style streaky bacon is awful for you, if eaten in anything other than the utmost moderation.
Wow... I could have paid $27 for that at a Hilton Garden Inn last week. Only $12 after my Diamond F/B credit gets applied....
One nitpick... that menu's design is terrible. My eye kept gravitating towards all the allergens and symbols first which makes it look like something is wrong with the food! I'm all for accessibility, but make it a smaller font or keep it to small symbols with a legend in the corner, jeez.
I don't really find them distracting, though it's amusing to me that they feel the need to identify allergens that have already been clearly listed among ingredients. The 2% milk contains milk? You don't say!
Also, the selection of coca-cola products is apparently not vegan or gluten-free?
What change? It looks identical or very close to the previous offerings. Display but not surprised. C'mon AA. Do better.
American got greedy they allowed too many people to purchase access the clubs are over crowded and dirty. They need more space if they continue to sell access. Food is eh
I feel like these were the everyday options in San Francisco Terminal 1. It really doesn't strike me as different, other than the pancakes.
As others commented, I'm curious what the best of the day looks like.
*rest
I wish they would invest in coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, etc with a real barista, then I’d be impressed. It’s amazing how coffee is ignored in these lounges. About the food, I find bacon to be among one of the healthiest choices there and most everything looks like a modest improvement. I’d love to see what the layout is later in the day.
Boring and uninspired. Just like the airline. Cold pancakes anyone?
It's better but it's still diner food and what you'd expect for a non premium airline club. Strangely DCA has better morning options than MIA. Still, it's an airline club. Not a fine dinning establishment. And not meant to be.
This is some proper food, finally. Kudos for AA.
Agreed. Everything appears to be edible. I'd consider this an acceptable alternative to paying for food at most airports.
I hate to be negative here but I'm not impressed -- this is still really bottom-tier lounge food. The smoked salmon things do look nice but that's the only actually appetizing thing there. Pancakes, bacon, oatmeal, and hardboiled eggs are all extremely simple, cheap, and not all that exciting. There are better breakfast spreads at Holiday Inns. Which, if that is what AA is going for, fine. But I don't think this is competitive at all.
Agree - this doesn't strike me as anything better than what United Clubs have had for the past year or two and is less impressive than what United has at some of their most recently opened lounges (like ORD C concourse and Newark).
And if your "premium" or "improved" food offering is just on par with United...that's not a good thing lol
I think this is a fantastic article, and I really appreciate you letting me know about it. That is precisely what I had hoped to find, and I really hope that you will keep sharing content that is of such high quality in the years to come, Alfiprinting.
Comment bots, even on OMAAT!
I am impressed - usually fresh seasonal fruit is mostly honeydew, and cantaloupe! The pastry display case is nice looking but not practical as humans only have 2 hands. I’d grab and go a chobani strawberry too!
I was at Admirals Clubs in Boston and DCA this past weekend. I didnt think the offering on hand was anything special. Didnt touch anything. After i glanced at the offerings at the Boston Admiral's Club, which was dirty and had used plates and silverware everywhere, I went right over to the Chase Sapphire Club, which was amazing and whose offerings eclipsed those in the Admiral's Club completely. Didnt look back.
You spend too much time at the airport if you can hit 2 lounges with no problem.
No more avocado toast???
@ AaronP -- Hah, nothing has changed there, it's just only available over certain hours (and wasn't during my visit).