Newsroom – American Airlines to reopen top premium flagship lounges
FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines is set to reconnect customers to an upscale dining experience on the ground with the reopening of its flagship lounges, where customers can drink wine, dine, and retreat on travel. Throughout the fall, American will begin reopening flagship lounges and the first flagship restaurant, with the first location opening September 14, 2021 at New York City John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). As customers return to the lounges, they will discover new menus from the chefs of the James Beard Foundation, more ways to access the lounges, and recognizable touches of the in-flight experience.
Airline To Welcome Customers Again With New Menus Inspired By James Beard Foundation Chefs
- The flagship shows will begin to reopen in September.
- American collaborates with the James Beard Foundation and impressive local chefs on regionally inspired dishes.
- Customers traveling to Hawaii on Flagship First and Flagship Business will be able to access the Flagship experience.
FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines is set to reconnect customers to an upscale dining experience on the ground with the reopening of its flagship lounges, where customers can drink wine, dine, and retreat on travel. Throughout the fall, American will begin reopening flagship lounges and the first flagship restaurant, with the first location opening September 14, 2021 at New York City John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). As customers return to the lounges, they will discover new menus from the chefs of the James Beard Foundation, more ways to access the lounges, and recognizable touches of the in-flight experience.
“The Flagship Lounge and Flagship Dining experience brings a whole new level of luxury to our customers’ travel, and we are excited to present our new offerings,” said Clarissa Sebastian, General Manager of Premium Customer Experience and Products at edge. “With redesigned menus designed in collaboration with awesome chefs and even more ways to access the salon, we look forward to opening the doors and serving our customers this fall.”
Planned reopening schedule:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 8
- Flagship show: September 14
- First flagship dinner: September 16
- Miami International Airport (MIA) Hall D
- Flagship show: September 28
- First flagship dinner: September 30
Later this fall, the locations of Terminal 4 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Terminal D at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Terminal 3 at Chicago International Airport O ‘ Hare (ORD) will reopen.
Meet the chefs bringing regional flavors to the menu dishes
American invites celebrity chefs to the Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining lounges to serve delicious and creative dishes. This program is in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, an organization whose mission is to celebrate, support and uplift the people behind American food culture and uphold a standard of good food rooted in talent, fairness and sustainability. Each location will feature an acclaimed local chef with offerings designed exclusively for their hometown salon.
DFW, Chef Tiffany Derry: Top Chef fan favorite and chef and owner of Dallas’ new hotspot, Roots Southern Table, will give American customers an upscale twist on his family’s classic southern recipes. In addition to being a celebrity chef and TV host, Chef Tiffany has served as a sustainability spokesperson for the James Beard Foundation and worked with the Dallas School District Breakfast Program.
MIA, Chef Timon Balloo: Local ingredients and bold flavors fuel the spirit of the dishes created by Miami chef Timon Balloo. Chef Timon was named “Chef of the Year” by Eater for his work at SUGAR CANE Miami and is now building his own brand with concepts such as Mrs. Balloo, a food truck inspired by Asian cuisine, Balloo Wallah and Balloo, delivery only. for which he was named Best Chef: South by the James Beard Foundation in 2020.
JFK, Chief Ayesha Nurdjaja: Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja’s Indonesian and Italian heritage has always been a source of inspiration. Drawing on the rustic and vibrant flavors of Italy, Morocco and Tunisia, its menus at New York’s Shuka and the all-new Shukette combine recipes from the Eastern Mediterranean with its own bold signature.
ORD, Chef Sarah Grueneberg: Chef Sarah Grueneberg is the award-winning chef and owner of Chicago’s Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio. She has won several awards, including the winner of the 2017 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes. Grueneberg created moving Italian dishes for US flights in 2019 and will now showcase his talents at our flagship lounge located in his hometown in ORD.
The chef creating menu items for LAX will be named soon.
Access exclusive American Airlines clubs on the ground
American’s Flagship Lounge offers upscale amenities and services, including dishes created in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Customers can access the Flagship Lounge based on their elite status or if they are travel in the premium cabin on an eligible flight. New to the list, eligible customers traveling to Hawaii on Flagship® First and Flagship® Business will be able to access the Flagship experience
Customers traveling in Flagship First on qualifying international or transcontinental flights also have access to Flagship First Dining located in the Flagship Lounge. Flagship First Dining offers a full-service restaurant dining experience with locally inspired menus designed by the chefs of the James Beard Foundation. American became the first airline to open a restaurant-style dining experience on the ground in 2017.
While the flagship lounges and restaurants are the most exclusive, the airline has also reopened its Admirals Club lounges in US cities and some international destinations, customers traveling on an American Airlines or oneworld alliance® flight can also purchase a day pass. for an Admiral’s Club.
New improvements to Flagship Lounge locations
Customers will soon notice DS and Durga before take off, with hand soap and lotions in the toilets. The shower rooms will now be equipped with Dyson Supersonic hairdryers to enhance the premium customer experience. This summer, American introduced new amenity kits for premium cabin customers in partnership with Shinola and DS & Durga.
About the American Airlines Group
The purpose of American is to care for people on the journey of life. American Airlines Group Inc. shares trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s shares are included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and to Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.