Update 2020: This is a review of the old Flagship First Lounge, this lounge has been remodeled and is much larger now. This lounge now offers an experience similar to the Dallas Flagship Lounge
American Airlines offers two types of airline clubs: the standard Admiral club and the Flagship lounges. Like Flagship check in, the Flagship lounges are only for passengers traveling in International First Class, Transcontinental First (JFK-LAX), or OneWorld Emerald Elites traveling on an international itinerary. The lounge at LAX is within the Admirals Club, but is separated by locked alabaster doors which is only opened by key cards. Passengers who have access to the flagship lounge are provided with a key card when checking into the lounge on the first floor and then are instructed on how to access the lounge.
The lounge itself is a smaller room that overlooks the tarmac and the eastern gates of Terminal 4 and onwards to the Delta gates. There are peekaboo views of the southern runways and provides for some decent plane spotting. The lounge is also an upgrade to the Admirals Club and provides a quieter and intimate setting for relaxing before a long flight. It is also a great place for celebrity spotting!
The small lounge also offers upgraded food and beverage option: providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and high tea for travelers passing through the lounge. There’s an open self-serve bar with more premium alcohol, wines, and champagne. However, I will warn you, the wine is still cheap wine and nothing to get excited about. The spirits are a mix of high quality and mid shelve quality, but are leaps and bound better than the complimentary option in the Admirals Club – but are honestly just on par with what is offered in the British Airways Galleries lounges in London.
When I passed through the lounge, it was dinner time and they had an array of food choices. I sampled some of the cheese, fresh fruit, and roasted veggies, but stayed away from the meats. Yet then again, meat is something I rarely indulge in. On my way through the lounge the following week, the lounge was serving my favorite soup: Butternut Squash! It tasted like the package soup found at Trader Joes, but still hit the spot!
In LAX, the Flagship lounge offers three private shower suites. Each shower offers Dermalogica shampoo, conditional, body wash, face wash, and face lotion and is equipped with cotton swabs, a toilet, and towels. Showers are complimentary and the agent at the front of the lounge provides access with keys.
Shower room pictures:
The flagship lounge is definitely nicer than most AAdmiral clubs. It offers computer work stations, music stations with Bose headphones to zone out to your favorite music, a dining area, and standard chairs for relaxation.
The agents at the front desk are extremely helpful and the staffs working the kitchen are quick to keep items restocked. The Flagship lounge is a great place to relax before a flight, but is honestly on par with most international airlines airport lounges.
