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Is American Airlines finally opening a Flagship First lounge at Heathrow?

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I was on a lounge safari at Heathrow Terminal 3 last week to check out the newly-reopened Cathay Pacific lounges and update our reviews of the other oneworld lounges at Heathrow.

Cathay Pacific is the latest airline to re-open its Heathrow lounge – despite not operating any flights from the airport at present – but one airline is notably absent.

The American Airlines International First Class lounge has remained closed since the start of the pandemic, despite the up-tick in transatlantic travel since the US reopened its borders to tourists.

American Airlines passengers are currently being sent to the Cathay Pacific lounges which – to be fair – are undoubtedly the best oneworld lounges at Heathrow T3.

When I was there on Thursday, one of the lounge attendants informed me that the American Airlines lounge is currently closed and undergoing renovation, with plans to open in the Spring.

Will Heathrow get a Flagship lounge?

In 2017, American Airlines launched its new premium lounge offering, called Flagship lounges.

Like all US carriers, American has a bit of a problem with access. US airport lounges are still technically ‘clubs’ which sell annual membership subscriptions.

You cannot get access with AA status if flying in domestic economy, even though under oneworld rules AA is obliged to give access to British Airways status holders. Even holders of First Class tickets on domestic US routes cannot get access.

As a result, Admirals Clubs are generally poor. The margins on those flights simply aren’t high enough for AA to spend more on the lounge offering. You are even expected to pay for the majority of the drinks.

To counter this problem, American Airlines launched its new Flagship lounge concept in 2017 to complement the existing Admirals Club network. These are open to a smaller subset of passengers – those flying on long haul or transcontinental business/first class flights or with status.

Currently, AA has opened Flagship lounges at its key hubs:

  • Chicago O’Hare – Terminal 3 (opened in September 2017, temporarily closed)
  • Dallas – Terminal D (temporarily closed)
  • Los Angeles – Terminal 4 (opened in January 2018)
  • Miami – Concourse D (opened in November 2017)
  • New York JFK – Terminal 8 (opened in May 2017)

A Heathrow Flagship Lounge was one of the key priorities when the concept was first launched, with a tentative opening date in 2018.

That never happened. 2018 came and went and the old American Airlines International First Class lounge – already dated in 2015 – was still in place. As Rob wrote in his review:

“It gave me too much time to consider the state of the furnishings, which were frankly pathetic and look as it they escaped from the reception area of a 1970’s office block.”

Nothing changed in 2019 either, despite the American Airlines website insisting that a Heathrow Flagship Lounge was “coming soon”. Nothing was going to happen in 2020 or 2021 with Heathrow Terminal 3 closed and transatlantic travel way down, either.

Fast forward to 2022

It now looks like Heathrow could finally be getting its long-overdue Flagship Lounge. Whilst the lounge attendant wasn’t specific, it would be odd to refurbish a lounge and not bring it up to spec with the latest offering, especially as all the planning and design had presumably already been done years prior.

Assuming everything goes smoothly, we could see a new Flagship Lounge open at Heathrow this Spring.

What’s special about a Flagship Lounge?

Nothing, really, except that it matches the premium standards of international lounges by other airlines. The following amenities are listed on the AA website:

  • Chef-inspired meals
  • Personalizes service
  • Speciality cocktail bar
  • Premium wine table
  • Expansive seating
  • Shower suites

Inside the lounge you can also find Flagship First Dining which is a full serviced restaurant for First Class passengers only. Even oneworld Emerald (ie a BA Gold card) won’t get you access to this bit.

Fingers crossed that AA and oneworld flyers will have something better to look forward to at Heathrow very shortly.

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American Airlines and AAdvantage

Comments (66)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Andrew J says:
    27 Jan27 January 06:07

    Some domestic routes offer access to Flagship First Lounge if ticketed in First Class – specifically the Transcontinental routes (JFK to LAX) as an example.

    • riku says:
      27 Jan27 January 06:56

      The transcontinental routes seem to get totally different service rules to the rest of the network. When I flew LAX-JFK on AA they handed out free food in economy even thought there was a menu with prices in the seat pocket (flight attendant said to ignore it). And on other routes where they do use the menu, nothing explains that Emerald card holders get a free choice from the menu.

    • Rhys says:
      27 Jan27 January 09:10

      True – have tweaked it for clarity.

    • Cheshire Pete says:
      27 Jan27 January 10:01

      I thought the rule was if the plane was 3 classes, which is generally on longer domestics.

      • john says:
        27 Jan27 January 14:39

        3-class opportunities may be reduced this year as AA are expected to largely not fly widebodies on its domestic network this year and are also cutting some international flights due to 787 delivery delays.

  • John T says:
    27 Jan27 January 06:52

    When did they actually move back from T5 to T3? Wasn’t there a plan to permanently stay in T5?

    • John says:
      27 Jan27 January 07:55

      Then BA would have to move more flights to T3 (which I would like, but it’s bad for them operationally)

    • Andrew J says:
      27 Jan27 January 07:56

      That was the plan before Covid for AA to be with BA at T5 and there was talk of an AA lounge at C gates. Not sure why they’ve gone back to staying at T3 now.

    • Rhys says:
      27 Jan27 January 09:11

      There was lots of rumours and talk but I’m not sure how much of a plan it actually was – I suspect it was just an idea that leaked to the public.

      I’m not sure it makes a huge amount of sense given that BA would have to move a bigger chunk of its operation to T3.

  • Andy says:
    27 Jan27 January 06:58

    The LAX flagship lounge reopened this week – it is no longer correct that it is temporarily closed.

  • TimM says:
    27 Jan27 January 07:02

    What sort of World is it when I read articles about an airport “lounge safari” and airlines can operate a lounge but have no flights? What is the logical extension of this? Possibly having airline-branded airport lounges in regular shopping malls.

    • Andrew J says:
      27 Jan27 January 07:09

      That would certainly get my vote! A Centurion Lounge at Westfield maybe.

    • Rob says:
      27 Jan27 January 08:51

      House of Fraser on Regent Street used to have a Gold Card lounge for its top spenders.

      What they never realised was that the door (swipe operated) was triggered by any tier of HoF loyalty card ….

    • Lady London says:
      27 Jan27 January 23:23

      Well, Virgin had the right idea on that.

  • Ben Miller says:
    27 Jan27 January 07:33

    I’ve used the Flagship lounge at LAX a few times. It is excellent, and would be great addition to LHR. Better than the current BA offers for Business. Fun tendered bar with draught beer & spirits. Good hot food offer. Zoned seating. It’s very good indeed

  • Richie says:
    27 Jan27 January 08:23

    Is there any news when AA will get their delayed Dreamliners from Boeing? Nice lounges need newer planes.

    • Rhys says:
      27 Jan27 January 09:14

      April at the earliest. Boeing has started paying AA delay compensation already but the issue is out of its hands. After the MAX crisis the FAA is insisting that every single aircraft get time-consuming ultrasound inspections.

      That’s also why BA only has 2 787-10s currently in its fleet. 5 more have been manufactured and are currently in storage due to the issues.

      • Richie says:
        27 Jan27 January 09:33

        Thanks Rhys, very interesting. More Dreamliner opportunities for a trip to the US later this year will be welcome.

        • Rhys says:
          27 Jan27 January 09:52

          Fingers crossed. There are currently 3 A350s also pretty much complete waiting for BA to take delivery.

          Those 3 + 5 787-10s would significantly bolster the long haul fleet and increase Club Suite coverage, so hopefully both arrive shortly.

  • Qrfan says:
    27 Jan27 January 08:34

    I don’t think Cathay have “undoubtedly the best” ow lounges in t3. If you only have business class access the Qantas lounge is arguably better overall, and the drinks are better than Cathay 1st too. Breakfast buffet also very high quality in the Qantas lounge (pre covid). There’s no need for this American flagship lounge in t3.

    • Panda Mick says:
      27 Jan27 January 08:50

      Cathay last week: It was nice enough, and a million times better than what I’d imagine the American Lounge to be (Who remember the service air lounge in T1?!), but it didn’t scream “flagship oneworld lounge”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice lounge, with a good view, but it was, well, kinda generic. The FinnAir lounge at Helsinki was much nicer (The barman made me a lovely mocktail, and it had scandi meatballs!)

      • Qrfan says:
        27 Jan27 January 09:08

        The aa flagship lounge at jfk is not as good as Cathay 1st in t3, so I really can’t see this being an improvement to the overall offering. Did you try the sauna in Helsinki? Now *that* is a nice touch.

        • john says:
          27 Jan27 January 14:49

          They are going to open three new lounges at JFK T8 when BA move in (opening expected Dec22) so facilities there should improve! “The most exclusive lounge will have an all-new champagne bar, fireside lounge and a la carte dining room, which reimagines American’s Flagship First Dining into a fully immersive experience.”

      • sayling says:
        27 Jan27 January 09:31

        Meatballs in a mocktail?

        :shudder

    • Rhys says:
      27 Jan27 January 09:16

      Having just been to all of them in the last week I have to disagree!

      • Qrfan says:
        27 Jan27 January 09:33

        Given Cathay have zero flights into London right now you’re not exactly getting a fair reflection are you? Did you have to wait for the restaurant? All the window seats taken? Guessing not. If so, you might not think it so great vs Qantas which has tonnes of seating and is rarely busy.

        • Andrew J says:
          27 Jan27 January 09:39

          I NEVER had to wait for a table in the restaurant in CX – even on a summer Friday afternoon pre-pandemic, was always a tranquil haven.

        • Rhys says:
          27 Jan27 January 09:46

          The Cathay lounge is currently the main lounge for AA and Finnair passengers, so it is not exactly empty.

          The last time I was in the Qantas lounge, March 2020, it was heaving whereas the Cathay lounge was much quieter. Just depends on each carrier’s flight times etc.

        • John says:
          27 Jan27 January 10:15

          As QFs flights both left at night before covid, it was never busy until around 4pm, but was very busy after that.

          CX F space is a bit small for 4 flights to HKG as they used to have, but QF had no F space anyway. But the CX flights were in the late afternoon to night, so it was always empty in the morning (the 11am departure to HK was not popular), yet unlike Qantas they served proper food all day.

      • Andrew J says:
        27 Jan27 January 09:37

        Agree with Rhys. Qantas don’t even serve champagne – just some Australian sparkling wine (no thanks!) – Qantas do the best coffee though. Every T3 Lounge is good for something even if it’s only picking up magazines (Galleries First) or pic’n’mix (AA First) – but the majority of my time was always spent in CX First – even the toilet are epic!

    • John says:
      27 Jan27 January 10:12

      Qantas had barely any food in the morning whenever I’ve visited. I did try many times but always gave up and went to CX by 9am

      • meta says:
        27 Jan27 January 12:26

        I honestly don’t know why are you all talking about Qantas lounge and buffet breakfast. Pre-pandemic, I always went for sit down à la carte service and order from the menu including the coffee. Has that changed since re-opening?

        • Rhys says:
          27 Jan27 January 12:28

          The lower floor is currently closed and not offering a la carte food due to a fridge issue. Should be back up and running in the next few weeks.

        • Andrew J says:
          27 Jan27 January 13:34

          And it was open around Qantas departures – morning and evening. If you wanted lunch you were stuck with the buffet only.

  • PGW says:
    27 Jan27 January 08:59

    Uncharacteristically poorly researched article. Not sure just where these opening dates came from but Flagship lounges existed many years before those listed and I was using them 20 years ago. They have always been primarily aimed at international travellers including AA’s own qualifying AAdvanatge elites.

    • Rhys says:
      27 Jan27 January 09:23

      Fair point – my understanding is that the nomenclature was around but that AA introduced the new concept in 2017. Although it’s surprisingly hard to find any information pre-2017 – you probably know more than what I could find online.

      • PGW says:
        27 Jan27 January 09:31

        I won’t bore you with their history Rhys and I agree with your comments around their quality compared to most other First class lounges. I can say from personal experience that there were Flagship lounges at a few US locations going back further than 2000 including the now long closed one in Boston.

        • Rhys says:
          27 Jan27 January 09:51

          Either way they introduced a new concept in 2017 – to the extent that they effectively deflagged the existing lounges to ‘International First Class’ until the changes were made!

    • Justin says:
      27 Jan27 January 11:08

      I disagree. What is called a ‘Flagship lounge’ today has nothing to do with Flagship lounges 20 years ago. A new lounge concept was introduced by AA in 2017. As a result, they refurbished / opened new lounges at the main hubs with different entry requirements but better ambience, much better food and drinks. These Flagship lounges are similar to what United did with Polaris lounges in the US as well.

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