First look: American’s new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Membership in Philly shine in large debut

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia location

The Flagship Lounge is positioned close to Gate A15 within the connector between the A-West and A-East concourses at PHL. This places the lounge proper close to American’s wide-body gates, making it only a brief stroll for flyers heading to locations like London and Paris.

You may discover the lounge positioned one ground above the terminal in an area that was once reserved for US Airways’ Envoy Membership. American gut-renovated the area and likewise constructed a brand new Admirals Membership subsequent door to the Flagship Lounge.

All terminals at PHL are related airside, that means that you simply will not have to reclear safety to entry this lounge. That stated, simply make sure to depart sufficient time to stroll to your gate in case you’re leaving from the B or C gates.

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia entry

American’s Flagship Lounges are meant to be a lower above the usual membership-based Admirals Membership, and with that comes a separate set of entry guidelines.

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia design

As soon as inside, you may shortly discover that you’ve got entered an elevated area. The wood-lined entrance space offers method two entryways: the Flagship Lounge and the Admirals Membership.

Turning left will convey you into the 13,750-square-foot Flagship Lounge. The area is partitioned into a number of totally different lounge areas for the 200 flyers it might probably comfortably seat.

The primary space you may enter is the fireside and lounging area, which is designed to advertise leisure. These fake fireplaces have develop into a staple of American’s new lounge design idea, and so they do an excellent job of serving to me unwind.

There’s a mixture of seating choices on this area, however my private favourite is the high-top seats lining the floor-to-ceiling home windows, which provide prime views of the apron and first runways within the distance.

The home windows assist flood the area with pure gentle, which is at all times a pleasant contact in an airport lounge.

Past the residing space is one other small leisure area accented by a self-serve wine bar on one aspect and a small visitor service heart for last-minute journey assist.

The central focal space of the area is the eating room, which is cut up into two most important seating areas. The primary is designed to be a bit extra of an on-the-go expertise, with a wide range of tables and seating areas for diners. Lining this area is the lounge’s buffet and beverage station — however extra on that beneath.

Lastly, there is a correct eating space accented by lovely Philadelphia-inspired paintings on one wall.

The paintings contains the phrases of the Declaration of Independence, however totally different shades of textual content are additionally used to create murals of iconic Philadelphia factors of curiosity, such because the Love Statue and the Liberty Bell.

All in all, the lounge is a shocking improve for vacationers used to the prevailing Flagship Lounge areas. Out with harsh whites and shiny reds, and in with way more pleasing tones that exude way more of an opulent contact than the 5 different current business-class-only lounges.

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia eating

The brand new Flagship Lounge in Philly debuts an all-new eating expertise for the airline.

That begins with a signature full-service bar, one thing that is lacking from the remainder of the airline’s Flagship Lounges. The provider will provide wines, six beers and bartender-crafted cocktails and mocktails on the bar. (Different Flagship Lounges solely have self-service bars.)

And in a little bit of a enjoyable twist, the airline will whip up two secret cocktails by request solely. These are the Betsy Ross Boulevardier (impressed by all of the trailblazing girls throughout the U.S.) and the Seventy Philly — a Pennsylvania-inspired twist on the basic French 75 with hints of maple and a contact of cognac.

Moreover, American will provide each a buffet — or “motion stations,” because the airline calls them — and a la carte meals choices. The total-service eating room has QR code placards at every desk from which you’ll be able to order from an a la carte menu that features cheesesteaks, Philly pretzels, Caesar salads and extra.

Because it does in any respect its Flagship Lounges, American has partnered with a well-liked native chef. In Philly’s case, that is with Chef Randy Rucker, famed for his River Twice and Little Water eating places within the metropolis.

The menu, American says, will rotate seasonally, and it at the moment contains objects corresponding to roast pork sandwiches, whipped ricotta and blistered tomato toasts.

Except for the alcoholic drinks, there’s a beverage station with a wide range of gentle drinks on faucet — a primary for American. (Goodbye, fountain machines.)

You may additionally discover canned aluminum water bottles, a espresso machine and a water bottle refill station right here.

These with a candy tooth will definitely take pleasure in the brand new Flagship Lounge.

Not solely is there an artisanal water ice bar full with a number of toppings, however there’s additionally a small self-serve sweet buffet by the exit, designed to resemble sampling the treats of Philly’s Studying Terminal Market.

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia facilities

When it comes to facilities, Flagship Lounges may not be as much as the extent of Delta One Lounges or United Polaris Lounges, however the area nonetheless affords all of the fundamentals.

The area has two telephone cubicles, certainly one of which is outsized for vacationers with disabilities. There’s additionally a small enterprise heart with an (outdated) iMac and a wi-fi printer.

Moreover, the lounge’s restrooms are far nicer than mainly some other within the airport. The wood-lined stalls with gentle temper lighting actually assist give the bogs a luxe vibe.

There are additionally six bathe suites positioned close to the restrooms, accessible on a first-come, first-served foundation. They’re stocked with Klur facilities, in addition to Dyson hair dryers and plush towels.

Moreover, there’s quick and free Wi-Fi accessible throughout the lounge, and most seats needs to be inside an arm’s attain of an influence outlet, USB-A and USB-C ports.

American Airways Admirals Membership Philadelphia Overview

Along with the brand new Flagship Lounge, American is opening a brand new Admirals Membership as a part of the broader A-West lounge redevelopment challenge.

And whereas the Flagship Lounge is a critical improve, the Admirals Membership may simply be the show-stopper. That is as a result of the prevailing Admirals Golf equipment in Philly depart so much to be desired, and this one is a lot nicer. In reality, in case you by accident ended up within the Admirals Membership as a substitute of the Flagship Lounge, you may not be too upset for the reason that design of the 2 areas is comparable (in a great way).

It is outfitted with the brand new design motifs that’ve popped up in Denver and Newark, full with a fake fire and extra luxurious seating choices.

The area measures 11,000 sq. ft with seating for 181 visitors. Inside you may discover two bathe suites, in addition to gender-specific restrooms.

There’s additionally a full-service bar and buffet with a extra restricted meals menu than what you may discover within the Flagship Lounge.

Another highlights embody a children’ play space, two telephone cubicles and a small enterprise heart.

There’s even a customized artwork piece outlining town’s topography that is designed to present vacationers a view of town from 30,000 ft.

Maybe the very best a part of the brand new area is that American has construct a versatile leisure space behind the lounge’s entryway. That is designed to assist with overflow capability throughout peak departure banks, and it’ll rotate between serving the Admirals Membership and Flagship Lounge relying on demand.

Good work on American’s half to do no matter it might probably to cut back overcrowding.

American Airways Flagship Lounge Philadelphia backside line

American’s new Flagship Lounge in Philadelphia is a serious improve for the airport.