American Airlines operates 4 “Flagship Lounges” that are catered to international First Class customers, however several other groups are eligible to enter as well.
The lounges are a step above the traditional AAdmiral’s Club and offer full buffet meals, premium drinks, and a quieter atmosphere. You can read my review of the FlAAgship lounge at JFK Airport here.
Where are the lounges located?
- Chicago O’Hare
- JFK New York
- Los Angeles LAX
- London Heathrow
Who can access the lounge?
- Traveling First Class on an American Airlines or US Airways marketed and operated international* flight. Lounge access is also valid on a same-day itinerary that includes a qualifying international segment
Bottom Line: First Class is offered on 3-class international aircraft, and certain international destinations are excluded. If you’re connecting from or two one of these international segments, you have access to the Flagship Lounge, too.
- Traveling First Class on an American Airlines or US Airways marketed and operated three-class nonstop transcontinental flight. Lounge access is also valid on a same-day itinerary that includes a qualifying transcontinental segment
Bottom Line: Transcontinental in this case is defined by the JFK to LAX or SFO market, since other “transcontinental” flights don’t offer a three classes configuration. If you’re traveling First Class on one of these qualifying routes and are connecting from or to another flight, you have lounge access, too.
- An American Airlines AAdvantage® Executive Platinum customer departing on or connecting to an international* flight, operated and marketed by a oneworld® airline, regardless of cabin flown
A oneworld First Class international* customer departing on or connecting to a oneworld marketed and operated flight
Bottom Line: If you’re in First Class on an international oneoworld flight, you’re welcome to use the lounge. If you’re an AAdvantage Executive Platinum and are traveling on any qualifying international flight, regardless of class of service, you can use the lounge, too.
- A oneworld Emerald customer** departing on or connecting to any oneworld marketed and operated flight, regardless of cabin flown. Access is valid on a same day itinerary
Bottom Line: If you’re a oneoworld Emerald customer, you can use the Flagship lounge, regardless of class of service and regardless of destination. Executive Platinum members with AA are excluded from this.
What is an international flight?
Eligible international flights fly to Europe, Asia, Central and South America as well as Mexico City. If you’re traveling to another international destination, you’re not allowed to access the Flagship Lounge.
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
MIA to LAX will get you in the lounge or it did last year.
What’s the big deal? The Yank Lounges aren’t much better than glorified cafeteria’s. And the Yanks put up with it. They pay for drinks and the food is basically crackers and and processed gunk that Americans call cheese LOL. And the coffee is absolute crap. Sad that Americans don’t know any better LOL. Better off saving your dough and wandering around the airports while you wait for your AA flight. It’s much more interesting than the AA cafeteria.
so you should just stay in your country.