I had a heck of a time finding the American Airlines Flagship Lounge at LAX. There wasn’t any signage for it or all, but long story short, it’s actually located inside of the regular AAdmirals Club. Good idea – but I wish they would communicate that better from the outside.
Upon checking in at the front desk of the AAdmirals Club, first class passengers (and those with access to the Flagship Lounge) are given a special card key to get inside. I ended up doing a full lap of the main lounge before I found the “secret” Flagship door.
Again, the signage here was lacking. You would think that the marketing team would be proud of promoting an exclusive perk like that, but the entrance was just a frosted glass door with a card reader to the side.
In order to get into the Flagship Lounge, you’ll need to meet any of the following criteria:
- You must be holding a ticket for international business or first class on American Airlines or a Oneworld partner airline.
- A domestic first class ticket will not get you in. However, having a ticket in American Airlines Flagship Business Class (or Flagship First Class) to New York (JFK) is valid.
- Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, as well as ConciergeKey members, have complimentary access to Flagship Lounges – regardless of what class of service they are flying on any American Airlines or Oneworld partner airline flight.
- You can purchase a single visit pass (sometimes – this option isn’t always available).
Once through the doors, I was greeted by two very nice desk agents who took my card and welcomed me inside. My first impression of the place: pretty nice!
It was really quiet compared to the main terminal and the main AAdmirals Club, so that was a welcome relief. Also welcome to see was a full bar of cold and hot food items. I tried not to eat too much, as I knew that I’d be eating well on the airplane several hours later.
I found what I thought looked like a quiet place to sit and enjoy my breakfast, but it was right across from the business center (which isn’t sectioned off) and there was a guy there yapping on the phone – using the speakerphone no less – which got annoying fast.
Luckily, it didn’t last for more than 10 or 15 minutes and he was finished and gone. There was also a man with a crying baby in the back corner which I thought was going to be a problem but things were quiet again in just a few minutes.
Overall I thought this was a really nice lounge – much nicer (and larger) than the Star Alliance First Class Lounge located over in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The best thing about the place (IMHO) is the fact that it is a very quiet and relaxed sanctuary from the chaos of the bustling crowds in the main terminal below. Terminal 4 at LAX is a complete zoo – so any decent escape from it is highly welcoming in my book.
