American Airlines is reimagining and investing in upgrades to the lounge experience at many airports across the United States.
The airline’s new service offerings will come in three tiers: flagship dining, flagship lounges and Admirals Club lounges.
The flagship dining experience, which is scheduled to open in early 2017, will debut at John F. Kennedy International (JFK). The airline will offer complimentary, full-service, tableside dining with seasonal menus that include fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
The flagship dining program will be introduced at several gateway cities featuring American’s international three-class service in its Boeing 777-300ER, including Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW), Los Angeles International (LAX) and Miami International (MIA). Each market will provide the same individualized service reflecting the personal flavors of its executive chef. In 2017, the service will be available to first-class customers.
“We want our customers to have a luxurious escape, no matter the reason for their trip,” says Fernand Fernandez, vice president of global marketing at American. “Our goal is to deliver chef-driven creations and local flavors, giving customers a five-star restaurant experience when they travel.”
As part of a multimillion-dollar renovation, American will introduce a new “flagship lounge” experience in six of its gateways, upgrading décor and ambiance and adding healthy cold and hot food and beverage options for customers.
The flagship lounges will be larger and ultramodern, with elegant furniture and increased comfort and connectivity, company officials say. They will be in larger spaces, allowing all trans-Pacific, trans-Atlantic, deep South America and Airbus 321T transcontinental customers booked in first class and business class to have access in 2017.
Finally, the company’s Admiral Club lounges will receive the largest makeover in the company’s 77-year history, with updated furnishings, dynamic lighting, improved access to power and a freshened design that is consistent across the network of lounges.
The first remodeled Admirals Club lounges have been unveiled in Terminal A at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) and at Sao Paulo-Guarulhos International (GRU). More will follow, including those at JFK, LAX and MIA. More than 15 will be renovated in coming years.
“We’re investing more than $3 billion in every aspect of the travel experience – whether that’s in our airports or in the cabins of the most modern fleet in the industry – because we want customers to choose American Airlines every time they fly,” says Andrew Nocella, CMO at American. “Flagship dining is something no other U.S. carrier has offered, and this separates us from the competition. It makes American a clear choice for the customers who expect a refined, personal touch when they fly.”
